Information Classification: CONTROLLED Flood Investigation Reports 2014 Last updated: 23/04/2018 Overview 2014 January 2014 was officially the wettest January in the south of England since records began in 1767 and the winter of 2013/14 was the wettest winter on record, at the time. In addition to this, the year started with an unprecedented series of Atlantic depressions and swells leading to huge storm surges coupled with extremely high tides and record breaking wave heights. Eight individual storms swept over the region during January and February resulting in coastal flooding particularly during the periods 2nd - 9th January (Atlantic Storm Hercules), 1st - 5th February (referred to as Hercules 2 or Bridget) and 14 February (dubbed the St Valentines Storm). Wave damage also impacted on defences on 23 February and 1st to the 5th March. During this period around 360 properties in Cornwall flooded. The cost of repairs to damaged sea defences in Cornwall was estimated to be in excess of £21 million. A summary of the impacts that these storms had in Cornwall can be accessed in this document. 2 to 9 January During this period the Environment Agency issued a “Very Severe” flood warning for both coasts. Looe was particularly badly affected with around 60 properties flooding on each high tide. In addition to the significant floods, below, sea defences were badly damaged at Seaton, Newquay and Portreath and there was considerable storm damage in St Ives. • Flood Investigation Report for Fowey (3 January 2014) • Flood Investigation Report for Looe (3 January 2014) • Flood Investigation Report for Polperro (9 January 2014) • Flood Investigation Report for Porthleven (3 January 2014) 1 to 5 February In St Ives and St Mawes waves damaged properties and smashed windows, flooding homes. The harbour defences at Porthleven were completely overwhelmed. • Flood Investigation Report for Fowey • Flood Investigation Report for Kingsand • Flood Investigation Report for Looe • Flood Investigation Report for Mevagissey • Flood Investigation Report for Millendreath • Flood Investigation Report for Penryn • Flood Investigation Report for Portmellon • Flood Investigation Report for Penzance • Flood Investigation Report for St Ives 14 February Penzance appeared to receive the brunt of this storm with flooding along the promenade and the railway station. Defences were also overtopped at Lostwithiel. • Flood Investigation Report for Frogpool • Flood Investigation Report for Newlyn Information Classification: CONTROLLED 2 to 5 March Further storms occurred, coinciding with high tides. The sea defences at Eastern Green in Penzance were badly damaged. No significant flooding of properties was noted. 8 October High tides and strong winds affected coastal communities. • Flood Investigation Report for Fowey (October) • Flood Investigation Report for Looe (October) Cornwall Council Flood Investigation Report Date: 3 - 5 February 2014 Location: Fowey Details of the flood event Did five or more properties flood internally? Yes Did at least one property flood internally that has also Yes flooded internally within the last five years? If the answer to either question above is Yes then this Report will form part of a Section 19 Flood Investigation Report and will need to be published. Description of weather conditions: Exceptionally high tides combined with swell from low pressure system. Description of flood event: Overtopping of defences leading to flooding along South Street, Webb Street and Fore Street. Properties flooded 3 - 5 Feb. Overtopping of defences leading to flooding of Caffamill Car Park. No of properties flooded: 26 Source of flooding: Fluvial Surface water Coastal Other Main River Highways Tides Groundwater Ordinary Sewers Waves Other watercourse Agricultural Erosion Other Relevant authority Interest / notes Cornwall Council Coastal Authority Environment Agency Responsibilities for flooding from the sea South West Water Private/community Other Further actions: Are any further actions required? No Who? What? A strategic approach is required for defending Fowey against coastal flooding. Is there further information available on No record? Cornwall Council Flood Investigation Report Date: 8 October 2014 Location: Fowey Details of the flood event Did five or more properties flood internally? Yes Did at least one property flood internally that has also Yes flooded internally within the last five years? If the answer to either question above is Yes then this Report will form part of a Section 19 Flood Investigation Report and will need to be published. Description of weather conditions: Exceptionally high tides combined with strong winds. Description of flood event: Flood waters came up Webb Street and into Fore Street, possibly aggravated by tidal ingress through the highway drainage network propagating up through the road gullies in Fore Street. Three properties flooded by bow waves (Fore Street and Web Street) from passing vehicles travelling at excessive speed. CORMAC arranged a gang to put out SLOW signs). Two properties suffered minimal flooding and six took actions to stay dry. No of properties flooded: 5 Source of flooding: Fluvial Surface water Coastal Other Main River Highways Tides Groundwater Ordinary Sewers Waves Other watercourse Agricultural Erosion Other Relevant authority Interest / notes Cornwall Council Coastal Authority. Highways. Environment Agency Responsibilities for flooding from the sea South West Water Private/community Other Further actions: Are any further actions required? Yes Who? Cornwall Council What? Assessment of highway drainage including flap valves. A strategic approach is required for defending Fowey against tidal flooding. Is there further information available on EA reconnaissance plus photographs record? supplied by member of the public. Cornwall Council Flood Investigation Report Date: 3 January 2014 Location: Fowey Details of the flood event Did five or more properties flood internally? Yes Did at least one property flood internally that has also Yes flooded internally within the last five years? If the answer to either question above is Yes then this Report will form part of a Section 19 Flood Investigation Report and will need to be published. Description of weather conditions: Exceptionally high tides combined with swell from low pressure system. Description of flood event: At least one shop flooded in Fore Street. Traders said the water rose to approximately 0.6 m high outside the Quay Bakery. Up to 8 properties flooded 31 Dec - 9 Jan. No of properties flooded: 8 Source of flooding: Fluvial Surface water Coastal Other Main River Highways Tides Groundwater Ordinary Sewers Waves Other watercourse Agricultural Erosion Other Relevant authority Interest / notes Cornwall Council Coastal Authority Environment Agency Responsibilities for flooding from the sea South West Water Private/community Other Further actions: Are any further actions required? No Who? What? A strategic approach is required for defending Fowey against coastal flooding. Is there further information available on No record? Cornwall Council Flood Investigation Report Date: 14 February 2014 Location: Frogpool Details of the flood event Did five or more properties flood internally? Yes Did at least one property flood internally that has also Yes flooded internally within the last five years? If the answer to either question above is Yes then this Report will form part of a Section 19 Flood Investigation Report and will need to be published. Description of weather conditions: Heavy rainfall. Description of flood event: One property flooded internally. Estate drainage was unable to cope (blocked drains?). Water ran down path into garden and through front door. Repeat of event that occurred on 23 December 2013. No of properties flooded: 1 (repeat) Source of flooding: Fluvial Surface water Coastal Other Main River Highways Tides Groundwater Ordinary ? Sewers Waves Other watercourse Agricultural Erosion Other Relevant authority Interest / notes Cornwall Council Responsibility for surface water. Environment Agency South West Water Private/community Other Further actions: Are any further actions required? Yes Who? Householder What? Possible candidate for repair and renew grant. Is there further information available on No record? Cornwall Council Flood Investigation Report Date: 4 - 5 February 2014 Location: Kingsand Details of the flood event Did five or more properties flood internally? Yes Did at least one property flood internally that has also Yes flooded internally within the last five years? If the answer to either question above is Yes then this Report will form part of a Section 19 Flood Investigation Report and will need to be published. Description of weather conditions: Exceptionally high tides combined with swell from low pressure system. Description of flood event: Overtopping of defences leading to flooding along The Cleave. Iconic Clock Tower and Institute severely damaged. 5 properties flooded 4th Feb and 8 properties flooded 5th Feb. No of properties flooded: 8 Source of flooding: Fluvial Surface water Coastal Other Main River Highways Tides Groundwater Ordinary Sewers Waves Other watercourse Agricultural Erosion Other Relevant authority Interest / notes Cornwall Council Coastal Authority Environment Agency Responsibilities for flooding from the sea South West Water Private/community Other Further actions: Are any further actions required? No Who? What? A strategic approach is required for defending Kingsand against