HOMES and businesses along the East Coast are being warned to brace themselves for high tides and flooding as the weekend approaches.

Sandbags are being made available and some roads are being closed off with gale force winds predicted to blast the North Yorkshire coastline in particular.

The winds could result in large waves and high water levels around the times of high tide on Friday – around 4am and 4pm – and Sandsend, Whitby and Scarborough are expected to be particularly hit.

Property owners in the areas at risk are being urged to deploy any flood defences that they have while sandbags are being made available for those owners who need assistance and support to protect their properties.

The Environment Agency has issued a total of 16 flood alerts for the region, most of them along the North Yorkshire coast.

However the Tyne Estuary and the Tyne and Wear coast are also included and temporary flood defences are being put in place there.

As a precaution, a number of roads in North Yorkshire being closed from midnight today in anticipation of the high tides. They include the A174 at Sandsend, Pier Road and Church Street in Whitby and Scarborough’s Royal Albert Drive, Sandside, Foreshore Road and the Spa approach road.

Harbour walls and piers at Whitby and Scarborough are also being cordoned off to prevent access.

People are also being urged to avoid walking along coastal paths and promenades when there are large waves and drivers are being reminded not to drive through flood water or on closed roads.

A county council spokesman said: “Agencies are working together to visit properties in the at risk areas in person.

“They are also working together to identify any vulnerable people that may be in the areas of risk and may need assistance, as well as protect key pieces of infrastructure such as power and water supplies.”

Sandbags are being stockpiled at:

  • Staithes - RNLI boathouse and harbour side near fishermen’s store 
  • Sandsend - council car park at the bottom of Lythe Bank and rear of toilet block adjacent to doctor’s surgery
  • Whitby - Endeavour Wharf adjacent to the old tourist information centre and various locations along Church Street
  • Scarborough - outside The Sands complex, various locations along Sandside and Foreshore Road and at Scarborough Spa
  • Anyone not physically able to collect their own sandbags, should call 01723-232323 for assistance.