Bognor braces itself for more stormy weather

Although the area got off relatively unscathed, with little disruption, the high winds and torrential rainfall left roads flooded and several properties with structural damage.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in Chichester was inundated with calls brought on by the severe weather conditions between Friday and Sunday. They logged more than 170 weather-related calls involving flooding, fallen trees and structural damage and attended a total of 103 incidents.

Tesco Express, in Aldwick Road, on the outskirts of the town, finally re-opened for business at 1pm on Monday after it was forced to close early on Saturday evening following structural damage to the flat above.

Debris from the flat fell onto the pavement below and barricades had to be put in place.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue was also called out as a precaution, to the new regency-styled Esplanade apartments on the seafront at the junction of Albert Road, after a piece of lead flashing on the top-floor roof dome became loose.

The road outside the flats was cordoned off as firefighters using an aerial ladder platform made the area safe ahead of permanent repairs this week.

On the previous Friday it was all hands-on deck as staff in the town's shops mopped up after the torrential rain caused flooding problems in the London Road shopping centre.

Several shops were also baled out after the water, which was up to eight inches deep in places, threatened to penetrate the shops.

Travel agents Thomas Cook was affected, as was Superdrug which was forced to close for a short time as flood water surged in through the back of the store.

Flooding also affected roads in Felpham as well as Nyewood Lane and Neville Road in Bognor Regis.

West Sussex County Council staff and emergency services were praised for the way they coped with the heavy rain and high winds.

Highways engineers logged more than 240 emergency call outs between last Friday and Monday morning of this week. The crews worked solidly to keep roads clear to minimise disruption for motorists.

Fire and rescue crews worked with Chichester District Council, police and the Environment Agency.

West Sussex County Council leader, Henry Smith, paid tribute to the staff involved.

He said: "I would like to personally thank our fire and rescue and highways crews who work around the clock.

"I am always impressed at the efficiency and professionalism of county council staff when faced with emergency situations like these."

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