DARTMOUTH
TOWN COUNCIL
FLOOD PLAN
February 2011
The plan forms part of Policy 6 of the Town Council Strategy Objective
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The Risk
Coastal Flooding
Flooding in Dartmouth is likely to be caused by a high Spring Tide with an area of
low pressure and on-shore gales from a south-easterly direction. The Environment
Agency uses an official set of projections approved by Defra which indicate that
we can expect an annual seal level increase of 3.5mm per year up to 2025 in the
South West, beyond that the rate of rise increases. By the end of the century
we have to plan for a rise of over 850mm if using 2011 as a start point.
Spring tides are very high tides, usually five metres plus, but they also produce
very low tides and so any flooding should not be prolonged. As the tide turns and
the river level starts to drop away, floodwater should start to drain away.
Run off/Surface Water Flooding including Flash Flooding
Both these types of flooding have been experienced on a number of occasions
within the past few years, as a result of excessive rainfall runoff collecting before it
has the opportunity to enter any watercourse or sewer. Flash flooding has also
occurred when localized torrential rain has fallen in such high density that it has
overwhelmed any drainage.
Dedicated highway drainage systems and gullies are the responsibility of the
Highway Authority and the District Council are responsible for the leat at the back
of Ford Valley.
The Defences
Dartmouth is protected from flooding from the sea by a flood defence scheme on
the Embankment which relies on the successful operation of the Boatfloat gates
(see Boat Float Gates Contingency Plan – Appendix A).
The gates close automatically when the river level rises to a pre-set level. If this
fails, an alarm will operate when the tide reaches a level of 4.9 metres, alerting an
officer of South Hams District Council who will arrange for members of their
workforce to close the gates electrically, or by physically pulling the gates together.
If the last option is required, fire officers from Dartmouth Fire Station will be
mobilised to the Boatfloat to assist South Hams District Council staff to pull the
gates together.
Should the Boat Float gates be damaged sufficiently to make it impossible to
close, then overtopping at the north-east corner of the boatfloat could occur.
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Dartmouth Flood Plan
This plan forms part of the High Risk Community Multi-Agency Flood Plan which
identifies areas across Devon which have a high risk of severe flooding. This plan
has been developed by the following agencies:
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The Environment Agency
South Hams District Council
Devon & Cornwall Police
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
Dartmouth Town Council
Devon County Council Emergency Planning
South West Water
Britannia Royal Naval College
Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority
RNLI Dart Inshore Lifeboat
High Risk Community Multi-Agency Flood Plan
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This plan covers the Dartmouth area from Victoria Road in the West, the
Dart Estuary to the East, Warfleet to the South and Dart Marina to the North
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Roughly 635 properties are at risk of flooding by the tide in the Dart
Estuary, and from the Lake Street watercourse. Flooding on a large scale
is likely to be caused by tidal flooding, more so if combined with high river
flows
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The aim of this plan is to put in place the immediate multi-agency response
to a threat of and/or actual catastrophic flooding, where there is a risk to life,
infrastructure and property: it is primarily an evacuation plan
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This plan is for severe flooding; it does not cover flooding where there is
lesser risk
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Dartmouth Town Council Support
In the event of flooding
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The Guildhall Offices will be a contact point for concerned local residents to
receive information.
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Town Councillors could be used to assist in warning local residents living in
the Risk Area, if safe to do so, by being volunteer callers at the request of
the Police
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Should evacuation of a number of properties take place and Emergency
Temporary Accommodation be utilized (see paragraph 9 - Emergency
Temporary Accommodation), Town Councillors will be asked to assist at the
centre and the Town Council will fund the cost of any refreshments
provided for residents evacuated.
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If there is a need to set up the Strategic Emergency Rest Centre at
Townstal Community Hall for excess of thirty people, this centre will be
managed by DCC and SHDC staff, supported by voluntary agencies,
however, town councilors will be able to offer support to residents
Prior to flooding
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Residents will be encouraged to collect the three Environment Agency
leaflets entitled: Preparing for a flood, During a flood, After a flood and their
Dartmouth Flood Plan Leaflet.
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Efforts will be made on a regular basis to promote and encourage residents
to be aware of flooding and sign up to the Environment Agencies Flood
Warning service.
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Risk Area
The areas at risk of tidal flooding in Dartmouth are shown in the High Risk
Community Multi-Agency Flood Plan (in the process of being developed by Devon
County Council).
Major Flooding Throughout the Area
If Dartmouth is affected by severe tidal flooding, there is a strong possibility that
many other towns along the South Coast of Devon will be in the same situation
and the emergency services and other agencies will be stretched. This could
mean that Dartmouth would not get all the resources that it required, or that there
would be a delay due to travel time of resources coming in from further afield.
Additional Sandbags
If South Hams District Council are not able to supply enough sandbags to meet
the needs of residents, additional sandbags could be purchased from:
 Travis Perkins Builders Merchants, Mayors Avenue, Dartmouth Telephone
832216 (they keep large quantities of sand and 1000 bags in stock)
 RGC Building Supplies, Collingwood Road, Dartmouth Telephone 834622
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USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
For All Emergencies requiring
Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard - TELEPHONE 999
Environment Agency – FLOODLINE 0845 988 1188
Incident Hotline (24 Hour) – 0800 80 70 60
Office – 08708 506 506
Dartmouth Town Council – 01803 832281
South Hams District Council – 01803 861234
Devon County Council – 0845 155 1015
Emergency Planning Officers:
South Hams District Council – Peter Dale – 01803 861278
Devon County Council – Dominic Maxwell-Batten – 01392 383511
South West Water, Emergency Calls (24 hour) – 0800 169 11 44
British Gas, Emergency Gas Escapes – 0800 111999
Western Power, Electricity Emergencies – 0800 365900
British Telecom Customer Service – 0800 800 150
Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority – 01803 832337
Dartmouth Medical Practice – 01803 832212
NHS Direct (24 hour) – 0845 46 47
Dartmouth Hospital – 01803 832255
Chemists: – Boots the Chemist 832742; Lloyds Pharmacy 832474
Vehicle Breakdown:
AA 0800 887766; RAC 0800 828282; Green Flag 0800 0510636
Citizens Advice Bureau – 0207 270 1500
Police – General Enquiries – 08452 777 444
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