Seafront residents in Burnham breathed a sigh of relief this morning (Monday March 10th) as the threat of flooding from strong winds and a high Spring tide failed to materialise – but the Environment Agency has left the town on a Flood Watch ahead of this evening’s 8.51pm high tide.
A large area of the Bristol Channel – from Porlock to Avonmouth, including Burnham – was placed on a precautionary flood watch by the Environment Agency over the weekend as the threat of damaging storms loomed large and this remained in place early on Monday evening.
There was relief this morning when the high tide at 8.32am passed without incident, but strong 60mph gusty winds swept the area in the afternoon, prompting fresh fears about flooding.
Environment Agency workers closed the town’s flood gates at the jetty (as pictured), the Sailing Club and Maddock’s Slade as a precaution but there was no flooding.
Spokesman Paul Gainey told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “People living along the Somerset coastline should continue to watch the warnings this evening. The tide will not be as high as it was earlier today so the risk of flooding is lower, but we still recommend people should be vigilant.”
Monday evening’s 11.1 metre Spring tide is due at 8.51pm.
A strong gust blew this seafront walker’s umbrella inside out near Burnham pier
Big waves crashed against the sea wall on Monday morning but the conditions did not cause any flooding, as feared by the forecasters
Some spray splashed onto The Esplanade at the height of the tide
A photographer takes a snap of the high tide in Burnham on Monday
The Environment Agency watched on as a precaution after closing flood gates in the town
The high tide sent waves crashing onto the rocks at Brean Cove on Monday morning
The windows of these caravans at Brean were washed down by sea spray
A bank of rubbish was washed up by the high tide at Burnham Sailing Club
Spray was kicked up by the waves along the steps of Burnham sea wall
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RELATED LINKS:
Flood advice pages for Burnham
1981 storm remembered
Storms and huge waves batter Burnham in 2006
Tide times for Burnham-On-Sea
