Flood Alert Issued for Tidal Deben Estuary in Suffolk Due to High Tides and Strong Winds

Alert Details

The Environment Agency has issued a Flood Alert (Severity Level 3) for the tidal Deben estuary. This alert was officially raised on the morning of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in response to a combination of high tides and adverse weather conditions.

Affected Areas

The alert specifically covers the tidal Deben estuary within Suffolk, East Anglia. Areas identified as being at particular risk include:

• The boat yard in Felixstowe Ferry hamlet at the end of Ferry Road
• Riverside areas in Woodbridge and Waldringfield
• Surrounding marshland areas adjacent to the River Deben and North Sea

What You Should Do

Residents and visitors in the affected regions are advised to take the following precautions:

• Avoid using coastal roads, footpaths, and carparks which are susceptible to flooding.
• Stay away from riverside areas in Woodbridge and Waldringfield during the peak window.
• Monitor local weather updates as the situation evolves.

Expected Conditions

Flooding is being driven by high tides, large waves, and strong North Westerly winds reaching Force 5. A low pressure system across the North Sea is maintaining higher than usual tides. The detailed forecast indicates a peak water level at Harwich of 2.54 mAODN at 12:00 PM today, which is approximately 0.73m above standard tide tables.

Timeline

The primary window of concern is between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Higher than usual tides are expected to persist over the next few days. The Environment Agency is monitoring the situation closely and expects to provide an update by 5:00 PM on February 17, or sooner if conditions change significantly.