UPDATE: Arundel house evacuated due to flood risk

Environment Agency experts and firefighters are currently working to reduce the risk of flooding to Arundel homes following the earlier collapse of a river defence wall.
Experts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie MitchellExperts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie Mitchell
Experts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie Mitchell

But their efforts are currently being hampered by high tides, and with another due at 12.33am tonight, homes along River Road are thought to be in serious danger of flooding.

Further heavy rain is due over the weekend.

The occupants of the property on River Road directly affected by the collapsed wall have been evacuated as a precaution.

Experts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie MitchellExperts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie Mitchell
Experts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie Mitchell
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An Environment Agency spokesman said: “The Environment Agency and partners are busy assessing the damage to a privately owned flood wall that has collapsed in River Road, Arundel, West Sussex early this morning (Friday, January 8).

“Our specialist staff are on site, alongside Arun District Council officers, to inspect the defence and assist with any flood protection measures after a section of wall collapsed.

“The owners of the property concerned have been evacuated by the emergency services as a precaution due to a current period of high tides and elevated river levels on the River Arun.”

Experts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie MitchellExperts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie Mitchell
Experts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie Mitchell
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“Following the recent rainfall the ground across Sussex is saturated and we currently expect a wet and unsettled period of weather this weekend.

“Tides will also be high throughout this weekend and into early next week, so we are out checking our coastal defences.

“Also, we remain out in force checking and maintaining inland flood defences, clearing blockages in watercourses and monitoring water levels in rivers and groundwater.

“We are currently on site assessing the best action to take to reduce the risk of flooding. The river level is currently high due to high tides, but we will inspect the defence fully once the level in the Arun has gone down later this afternoon and then will have a clearer picture of what actions to take.”

Experts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie MitchellExperts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie Mitchell
Experts inspect the damage to the river defence wall. Pictures Eddie Mitchell
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He added: “We ask communities to remain vigilant to potential flood risk from watercourses, tides and groundwater and check their flood risk at https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding or follow @EnvAgencySE and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates.

“Practical advice can be found on GOV.UK or by calling Floodline on 0345 9881188.”

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