Littlehampton And Medmerry Flooding Aftermath: Volunteers' Stories

As multiple public and emergency services continue to care for evacuees following the overnight flooding between Monday and Tuesday, volunteer rescuers have been telling their stories.

In the early hours of April 9th, HM Coastguard called on voluntary crew members of Littlehampton RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) to assist in the evacuation of properties affected by flooding on the western side of the River Arun in the town's Rope Walk and Ferry Road.

RNLI leaders in Littlehampton have told More Radio how they were anticipating one of the highest tides of the year for for the town, that night.

Then, combined with a low pressure system in the wake of Storm Kathleen, and strong gale force winds from the south, the river Arun overtopped the western bank with flood waters threatening business and residential premises.

At approximately 1am on Tuesday 9th April, the Littlehampton RNLI station’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Renee Sherman was launched.

Crews joined a co-ordinated assistance and rescue operation in conjunction with Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Team and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

The RNLI lifeboat crew undertook river search operations to ensure no persons or animals had been caught in the fast-flowing current.

Additional RNLI crew members walked to the scene and assisted with the evacuation of people and animals from affected residences in Rope Walk.

Once it was ascertained that any immediate risk to life had been averted the RNLI volunteers were stood down, returning to the boathouse at Fisherman’s Quay by 4am.

Nick White, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Littlehampton lifeboat station, said:

"The early hours of Tuesday morning, and after, were a very difficult time for those with homes and businesses affected by this weather event and our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.

"With the lifeboat station being next to the river Arun the RNLI crews are very familiar with the dangers that the high tidal range and fast flowing waters can pose to people and property.

"Co-ordinating with colleagues from several emergency response organisations we were able to assist with the evacuation of residential premises and provide safety cover in the vicinity of the river to personnel involved in the operation."

According to the RNLI, the charity's lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives since the organisation came into being in 1824.

Meanwhile, West Sussex County Council continues to partner with Chichester District Council, Arun District Council and the Environment Agency in the clean-up operation.

Staff have asked that members of the public avoid closed roads and areas where repair and recovery efforts are taking place to allow work to continue safely and swiftly.