Flood Alert Issued for Essex Coast at Coalhouse Fort Due to High Tides

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert (Severity Level 3) for the Thames Estuary along the Essex coast. The alert was triggered by high tides expected to impact the region on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Affected Areas

The geographic scope of this alert is centered on the Essex coast at Coalhouse Fort within Thurrock, East Anglia. Specific areas most at risk include Coalhouse Fort, the adjacent car park, and the low-lying land situated between the fort and Coalhouse Point.

What You Should Do

Residents and visitors are advised to avoid coastal roads, footpaths, and car parks in the affected areas, as these locations may become flooded. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation as the tide progresses.

Expected Conditions

A peak water level is forecast at Southend of 3.54mAODN at 12:30pm today. This level is 0.56m above the standard tide tables. Local weather conditions include a North Easterly wind at Force 4. No further high tides are expected to cause concerns over the coming days.

Timeline

The alert is specifically effective for the high tide window between 11:30am and 1:30pm today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. This message is scheduled to be updated by 5:00pm on March 3, or sooner if the situation changes.