Flood warning remains in force

Saturday 4 January: The Environment Agency’s updated its flood alert for Hastings early this morning, stating that spray from the wind and waves might affect Carlisle Parade over high tide at lunchtime today, while high tide might also affect the Parade at Rock-a-Nore. Tides would be 10 centimetres higher on Saturday night, but should start to fall from Sunday, it said.

The alert was first issued on New Year’s Day. On Thursday the council issued a statement warning of very high tides expected around midnight on Thursday and Friday and at midday Friday which, combined with strong winds, creating high waves, and low pressure, could lead to ‘overtopping’ of the sea defences.

Residents living in low-lying areas should be aware of the risk, take appropriate precautions to protect their property and possessions and be ready to co-operate with the emergency services and the local authority if flooding does occur, the statement said.

The area most at risk runs from the pier to Rock-a-Nore, a council spokesman told HOT, pointing out that the town centre is below sea level at high tide.

As the stormy weather continued, part of the cliffs beyond the end of Rock-a-Nore Road collapsed into the sea on Friday (see video). No-one was hurt.

In its update on Friday 3 January the Environment Agency said that spray from large waves might affect Carlisle Parade and could reach beach side properties, while high tide might also affect the Parade at Rock-a-Nore. Large waves would continue throughout Friday and tides would remain high over the weekend.