Flood alert for Looe, Fowey and Polperro as high tides roll in

If you live, work or park near the water between Fowey and Looe, the next two high tides are worth keeping an eye on.

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the south Cornwall coast from Gribbin Head to Rame Head, and Looe Town Council has shared the details with residents.

High tides and the forecast weather conditions over the next two days may lead to flooding along that stretch of coast.

Which places are covered

Flooding is possible from Gribbin Head to Rame Head, including Fowey, Golant, Lostwithiel, Lerryn, Polruan, Polperro, Looe and the Looe Rivers, and Seaton.

The low-lying areas named as being at risk are:

• Fore Street, Town Quay, Albert Quay and Caffa Mill car park in Fowey
• Quay Street and the recreation ground at Lostwithiel
• Polperro Harbour
• Quay Road and The Quay at Looe
• The B3247 at Seaton

When flooding is possible

The risk runs for around two hours either side of high tide, and there are three tides to watch: this evening (Tuesday 29 September), tomorrow morning (Wednesday 30 September) and tomorrow evening.

High tide at Plymouth is at 8.22pm this evening and 8.40am tomorrow. Times will vary along the coast, so local high water in Fowey, Polperro or Looe won’t be exactly the same.

What is behind the alert

Forecast total high tide levels are 2.85 and 2.66mAOD, with tide levels along the coast expected to sit between 0.42 and 0.47 metres above tide table level.

Strong force 5 to 6 south-easterly winds are forecast over high tide, along with offshore wave heights of over two to three metres.

The Environment Agency says further flood alerts may be required.