Please see below for some messages the communications team has been sharing recently and an update on the current position with adverse weather. Please do share them with your network and community if appropriate.

The Environment Agency (EA) has just issued the following operational information that residents signed up to the EA flood alerts would have received – as follows:

Operational information issued: Monktonmead Brook.

This message contains important flood information from the Environment Agency.

A deep low pressure system will cross the Isle of Wight over the next 24 hours, bringing high tides and significant rainfall. High tide will be at 01:48 on Thursday (02/11/23) and up to 50mm of rainfall is forecast between 21:00 on Wednesday (01/11/23) and 17:00 on Thursday (02/11/23). This amount of rain could cause flooding to the railway line at St John’s Station. If we believe the river in Simeon Street Recreation Ground will come out of bank, we will operate our Flood Alleviation Scheme. The EA contractor will be in the area over the period of high tides to respond as required. Rainfall volumes of this nature could also cause surface water flooding impacts to properties near to the river. If intense rainfall does affect the river, causing it to come out of bank, then a Flood Alert or Flood Warning will likely be issued. The period of heightened flood risk should reduce by Friday (03/11/2023).

‘Major Incident’

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum has declared that their response will be escalated to ‘major incident’ status from Wednesday night.

All partner agencies are ready to support residents and are continuing to plan ahead with arrangements to respond to weather-related emergencies during this period.

Latest weather forecast

A deep low pressure system will cross the Isle of Wight over the next 24 hours, bringing high tides and significant rainfall.

High tide will be at 1.48am on Thursday (02/11/23) and up to 50mm of rainfall is forecast between 9pm on Wednesday (01/11/23) and 5pm on Thursday (02/11/23).

Warnings issued

Flooding is expected for coastal areas at Cowes and East Cowes, and tidal areas of Newport. This is related to the high tides tonight and tomorrow.

Amber weather warnings of winds up to 80mph have been issued across the south of England from 6am to 5pm on Thursday, 2 November 2023.

Yellow warning of wind, valid from 9pm today until 11.59pm tomorrow.

Yellow warning for rain, valid from 6pm today until 11.59pm tomorrow.

You can check current flood warnings or alerts, river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels and flood risk in the next 5 days by postcode here: https://www.gov.uk/check-flooding

Weather forecasts can be checked at https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

Isle of Wight Council Floodline

We have put arrangements in place for the council’s Floodline – 01983 823111 — to be kept open overnight tonight.

Waste and recycling

Due to the high winds forecast, the following changes are in place for waste and recycling collections across the Island for Thursday collections:

• Please do not put bins out tonight (Wednesday 1 November 2023) for collection tomorrow (Thursday 2 November).
• Please instead put your bins out on Thursday morning (2 November).

Sandbags

Here’s a reminder of where sandbags are available:

• Well Road, East Cowes
• Simeon Street Recreation Ground, Ryde
• St Mary’s Car Park, Cowes

These locations have been chosen due to the direct risk of flooding in these areas.We are asking people to bemindful of the needs of others in their community and only take what they need to protect their property. Generally, three sandbags should be enough per door.

Additional sandbag distribution sites may be set up in areas of flooding or where the Environment Agency has advised that there is a potential risk of flooding.

We are also aware that there are community-led sandbag stations being created, so do check social media for potential locations.

Vulnerable residents can call Wightcare on (01983) 821105 to arrange delivery of sandbags to their properties.

Flooding information hubs

The council is setting up information hubs for Islanders who have been affected by the weather and flooding.

Locations and opening times are:

East Cowes, The East Side Curve (next to the town hall), PO32 6RU.

Opening times: 2pm to 8pm, Wednesday 1 November and 10am to 8pm Thursday 2 November.

Sandown, The Broadway Centre, Broadway, PO36 9GG

Opening times: 2pm to 8pm, Wednesday 1 November and 10am to 8pm Thursday 2 November.

School closures

Cowes Enterprise College will be closed tomorrow (Thursday).

Northwood Primary School will be closed tomorrow.

Crematorium

Due to the forthcoming Storm Ciaran, the grounds and Woodland Walk at The Crematorium have been closed today and will be tomorrow (Thursday).

Dinosaur Isle Museum

Dinosaur Isle Museum will be closed tomorrow due to the exposure of the building, and to reduce risk to customers and staff. The museum plans to reopen on Friday, 10 am to 4pm, with last admission at 3pm.

Social Media

We have posted the following advice and guidance on our social media channels and shared with local media:

Five things to do before Storm Ciaran

1. Know where to find helpful info. 
2. Check your outside spaces. Secure loose items like trampolines, bins and garden furniture. Keep doors and windows closed.
3. Have basic supplies ready. Keep them together in one place. Use the Met Office Weather Ready information.
4. Be ready if you live in an area that can flood.
5. Check on vulnerable people you know. Make sure they know how to get support. If they are eligible, add them to the Priority Register.

Advice for what to do during a storm

• Stay at home if you can. The strong wind forecast means there is a risk of flying debris. Stay away from wooded areas, the sea and coastal paths.
• Only travel if essential. Useful information from The Met Office.
• Know what to do if there’s a power cut. Call 105.
• Stay up to date with what’s happening and where to get help if you need it.
• Use 111 online for urgent medical problems. Only call 999 if there is an immediate risk to life.
• Report fallen trees, debris and flooding on the roads to Island Roads. If a fallen tree or hazard is an immediate danger to life, call 999.