Flash Flooding in Newton St Cyres

Advice from the Environment Agency about Flash Flooding in Newton St Cyres

Be prepared for flash flooding 

Flooding is the most common and widespread natural hazard in the UK.  In Newton St Cyres, there are a number of properties that could be affected by flooding from the Shuttern Brook and/ or the River Creedy.  Flooding from the River Creedy and the Shuttern Brook has been seen on a number of occasions in the village Newton St Cyres, but particularly in 1960 and 1981.  You can check your flood risk by visiting Check the long term flood risk for an area in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

As well as the risk of flooding from the river level rising in response to heavy rainfall, some properties in the village of Newton St Cyres are also potentially vulnerable to what is termed flash flooding.  This type of flooding happens extremely quickly with potentially serious impacts as seen in Boscastle in 2004 and more recently in Coverack in 2017.  These types of events are rare, but can be very dangerous.  Across Devon, a number of communities have been identified as being vulnerable to this risk, due to the topography of the landscape and the potential depths of water that could occur if this low likelihood, but high impact event were to happen.  The village of Newton St Cyres is one of these.

The following small steps will help you to respond in the event of flash flooding.

• Register for the Met Office’s National Severe Weather Warning Service, so that you are alerted to the possibility of severe thunderstorms and rain that could cause flash flooding: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/guides/warnings
• Find out more about the Newton St Cyres Community Resilience Plan and the work of the Flood Response Network by visiting: https://www.middevonparish.co.uk/media/281090/nsc-crp-mar-2021-vers2021a.pdf. For further information on the work of the Flood Response Network please email parishclerk@newtonstcyres-pc.gov.uk
• Have a personal plan – know the signs of flash flooding and know what you would do. LIT 4112 Personal flood Plan v1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

The Environment Agency do offer a flood warning service for Newton St Cyres, however this warning is based on flooding on the River Creedy.  The low likelihood but high impact flash flood event that this letter refers to would occur on the Shuttern Brook. 

Newton St Cyres Parish Council and Devon County Council have funded a community flood warning system which provides information to a Flood Response Network (co-ordinated through the Parish Council).  The Flood Response Network then use this information to help them decide whether to activate the Parish’s Community Resilience Plan.  The Team are aware of the vulnerability of the village to this risk and their plan reflects this

It is possible that flash flooding could happen quickly, without warning, so it is also important you know what to do if you think there is a risk of flash flooding.

Dangerous flash floods are caused by sustained torrential rainfall.  We recommend you register for the Met Office’s National Severe Weather Warning Service, so that you are alerted to the possibility of severe thunderstorms and rain that could cause flash flooding: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/guides/warnings

Know what to do.  Have a flood plan.

Prepare

Be aware and know the signs.  Signs to watch for:

-Heavy rain or severe weather reports

-Rising water levels with churning dark water

-A build up of debris in rivers or streams

• Plan where to go if you get caught in a flash flood

Act

-Do not walk or drive through flood water

-If you are in a building with at least two storeys and you believe it is safer to stay where you are, you should move to a higher storey

-Call 999 if there’s a risk to life, or if you’re trapped

Survive

-Call 999 if you’re in immediate danger

-Follow advice from the emergency services

-Keep yourself and your family safe