PEOPLE are being warned to avoid risk and stay safe at the Yorkshire seafront over the next few days.
Forecasters are predicting that the normal high tides experienced at this time of year could be heightened by the after effects of Storm Caroline.
This will create the potential for strong wave overtopping on seawalls and onto seafront roads during the peak tide times between late afternoon today and Saturday evening.
Local authorities like Scarborough Council, North Yorkshire Police and HM Coastguard are advising people living at - or visiting - the coast to stay away from piers, promenades, seawalls, beaches or other seafront areas "for their own safety".
#StormCaroline means large waves and higher sea levels on the east #coast from Thurs to Sat. @EnvAgency checking defences + taking precautions like closing tidal gates. Stay safe. Don’t drive through flood water. https://t.co/ij3k0gc8VR pic.twitter.com/oF6rdH4X9c
— Emma Howard Boyd (@EmmaHowardBoyd) December 7, 2017
Motorists are also advised to monitor traffic information, not drive through flood water and adhere to road closures.
Emergency road closure information can be found on the North Yorkshire County Council’s website.
Matthew Atkinson, HM Coastguard senior coastal operations officer said: “Our plea is for people to heed the warnings, keep away from the areas at risk and stay safe at all times.
"If you see anyone in danger or difficulty on the coast, dial 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard.”
The high tide times that the advice applies to are:
Thursday, December 7
Whitby 6.34pm
Scarborough 6.47pm
Filey 6.57pm
Friday, December 8
Whitby 7.11am and 7.26pm
Scarborough 7.22am and 7.41pm
Filey 7.35am and 7.50pm
Saturday, December 9
Whitby 8.10am and 8.25pm
Scarborough 8.20am and 8.41pm
Filey 8.33am and 8.48pm
The Environment Agency is currently predicting flood risk to property to be low.
Seafront businesses are therefore expected to be open as normal.
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Scarborough Spa arrangements
A Scarborough Council spokesperson said: "Anyone due to attend an event at Scarborough Spa tonight or on Friday evening or Saturday evening should be aware that the wave action may result in the closure of the Spa approach road around the times of high tide.
"If people find the road closed, they should make their way to the Esplanade and use the Spa Cliff Lift to access the Spa complex.
"SIV Limited, which operates the Spa, has confirmed that in the event of the Spa approach road being closed, the Spa Cliff Lift will be free of charge to use.
"Local taxi and private hire companies taking people to evening events at the Spa in the coming days should also be aware of these arrangements."
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