Hampshire and Isle of Wight: High tides bring coastal flooding

Footage shows Portsmouth high-tide flooding

High tides combined with strong winds have led to flooding in parts of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued a flood alert for the high tide for the coast around the Isle of Wight.

The high tide, which is higher than normal due to unsettled weather with strong westerly Force 6 winds, is expected around midday.

Many coastal roads remain impassable, including Castle Street, East Cowes, and Weston Shore near Southampton.

Urging residents to be prepared, Isle of Wight Council said sandbags would be available to residents from St Mary's Car Park in Cowes, Well Road in East Cowes and Simeon Street Recreation Ground in Ryde.

In Alverstoke, near Gosport, firefighters had to help residents from about 50 flooded homes to safety. They were taken to Thorngate Halls.

News imageBen Harmer The Ship Inn flooded with the high tideBen Harmer
The Ship Inn at Langstone, Havant, flooded in the early hours
News imageBBC Weather Watcher/View from feet today Portsmouth floodingBBC Weather Watcher/View from feet today
Roads and homes have been flooded and rail lines left submerged

Sea flooding is also affecting the railway line at Lymington Pier with trains unable to run.

South Western Railway said once the sea levels had dropped, engineers would need to inspect the line for any damage before it could be safely reopened.

Disruption is expected until 14:00 BST.

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There are numerous flood warnings in place across Hampshire, including the River Itchen, with people urged to avoid Riverside Park and tidal areas of the Hamble estuary, including Hamble, Bursledon, and Warsash.

Weston Shore on the east side of Southampton, along the Solent, has been left underwater after the high tide.

A car was submerged by seawater outside the Red Funnel ferry terminal

The road, paths and car parks are closed between Abbey Hill to Woolston with people being urged to avoid the area.

Five Environment Agency flood warnings are currently in place on the Isle of Wight, including Cowes, East Cowes, and Newport, with people urged to move cars from seafront car parks.

Overnight, flooding in Cowes forced charity shop Mountbatten Retail to close until further notice, with staff there working to salvage what they could.

News imageEast Cowes
Many roads through East Cowes have been left underwater

Many areas are expected to record their highest-ever tides, the Environment Agency has said.

A Met Office yellow wind warning covering the Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex and Kent coast had been in place overnight.

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