Storm Event

Severity ? 2

Source

Tide gauge records at Southampton indicate 3 days of sustained surge activity, which generated extreme sea levels of > 1 in 1 year levels (but less than 1 in 10 year levels).

Pathway

On 2nd-3rd November 1963, the sea wall in Northney (Hayling Island, Hampshire) was breached in three places during this event (Ruocco et al., 2011).

Receptor and Consequence

1st November 1963 was associated with flooding in Langstone, Hampshire and Bognor Regis, Sussex where “tons” of shingle were displaced (Ruocco et al., 2011). The breach on the 2-3rd inundated a holiday camp and local roads, which subsequently delayed bus services (Ruocco et al., 2011). Local roads were also flooded in nearby Fareham and Warsash. The 4th November 1963 is associated with inundation of the A27 near Emsworth with vehicles reportedly “axle-deep” in floodwater (Ruocco et al., 2011). Flooding was also reported in Woodmill, Southampton, where gardens were completely submerged (Ruocco, 2009). At Redbridge, water skiers were spotted taking advantage of the flooded area (Smith, 2011).

Summary Table

Loss of life *
Residential property Gardens submerged in Woodmill
Evacuation & Rescue *
 
Cost *
Ports *
Transport Local roads inundated, delaying bus service in Northney. A27 inundated near Emsworth. Local roads flooded in Fareham, Warsash and Elmer, including Elmer Road, Wallington Shore Road
Energy *
Public services *
Water & wastewater *
Livestock *
Agricultural land *
 
Coastal erosion *
Natural environment Tons of shingle displaced on the coast
Cultural heritage *
Coastal defences Northney sea wall was breached

*No known sources of information available

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References

  1. Ruocco, A. Nicholls, R. J., Haigh, I. D., and Wadey, M. (2011). ‘Reconstructing Coastal Flood Occurrence Combining Sea Level and Media Sources: A case study of the Solent UK since 1935’. Natural Hazards, 59(3): 1773-1796. Available at: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11069-011-9868-7 (Accessed: 27 March 2015).
  2. Ruocco, A. (2009). Reconstructing Coastal Flood Occurrence in the Solent since 1935 using Historical Database. Southampton MSc Dissertation.
  3. Smith, M. (2011). Coastal Flooding in Southampton. Southampton Undergraduate Thesis.