Flood Alert Issued for Plymouth Sound and South Cornwall Coast Estuaries

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for Plymouth Sound, Wembury Bay, and tidal estuaries along the South Cornwall Coast. This alert, designated as severity level 3, was issued on February 18, 2026, in response to a combination of high tides and hazardous coastal conditions.

Affected Areas

The alert covers exposed coastal areas of Plymouth Sound and low-lying regions on the Tidal Lynher, Tamar, Tavy, Plym, and Yealm estuaries. The geographic scope includes Cornwall, Devon, and Plymouth.

What You Should Do

Residents and visitors are advised to take care and avoid walking, cycling, or driving through flood water. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the situation as conditions develop.

Expected Conditions

High tides, strong winds, and large waves are forecast for the region. The total high tide level is expected to reach 2.66mAOD, which is approximately 0.2 to 0.3 metres above the standard tide table level. Meteorological forecasts indicate strong Force 4 North Westerly winds and offshore wave heights reaching up to 3 metres.

Timeline

The alert is specifically focused on the high tide occurring Thursday morning, February 19, 2026. In Plymouth, the high tide is scheduled for 06:57 AM, with times varying elsewhere along the coast. Conditions are expected to ease by the Thursday evening high tide. This message is scheduled for an update by 3:00 PM on February 19, 2026, or sooner if the situation changes.