Exeter ramps up defences ahead of winter storms with upgraded flood protection

Exeter is preparing for potential winter flooding as stormy conditions are forecast across the South West, with the city’s flood defences undergoing continued maintenance and improvement to reduce risk to homes and businesses.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for the South West, signalling a medium likelihood of flooding and a low impact. Residents should expect:

• Spray and flooding on roads causing longer journey times.
• Bus and train services were potentially disrupted.
• Flooding of a few homes and businesses.
• Possible interruptions to power and other services.

Residents are advised to expect spray and flooding on roads, longer journey times, possible disruption to bus and train services, flooding of a small number of homes and businesses, and potential interruptions to power supplies and other services.

People are being urged to check whether their properties are at risk of flooding, prepare a flood plan and emergency kit, and keep travel plans under review. 

Recommended precautions include having torches, spare batteries and phone power packs available, and staying up to date with the latest weather warnings.

Some local residents said the warnings had prompted them to take extra care. One resident, Sarah Allen, living near the River Exe said they were keeping a close eye on river levels after recent wet weather. 

“We’ve seen how quickly things can change in the past,” she said. “The defences give reassurance, but when there’s heavy rain forecast we still move valuables upstairs and check the alerts.”

Another resident from Exwick, Tom Rowe, said communication had improved in recent years. “Getting flood warnings straight to your phone makes a big difference,” they said. “Even if nothing happens, it helps you feel more prepared.”

Areas historically vulnerable to flooding include parts of Exwick, St Thomas, the Quayside and low-lying land around Marsh Barton. 

Flooding in these areas has the potential to affect major transport routes, industrial estates and key services. Marsh Barton Trading Estate, one of the city’s main employment hubs, contains hundreds of businesses and is close to the River Exe floodplain.

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Critical infrastructure is also monitored closely. The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital sits outside the highest flood risk zones but relies on surrounding road networks that could be affected by surface water flooding during extreme weather. 

Several schools located near rivers and streams, including in St Thomas and Exwick, have flood awareness plans in place and are kept informed through local authority and Environment Agency alerts.

The Exeter flood defence scheme, progressively upgraded between 2016 and 2023, has increased its capacity from 700 cubic metres per second to nearly 900 cubic metres per second. 

This raises the standard of protection from a 1-in-40-year event to approximately a 1-in-80-year event. 

Key improvements include new or raised embankments, 14 flood gates, demountable defences, and other control structures.

In recent years, minor upgrades have improved operator access to maintain the infrastructure, and a major desilting project at the Crematorium Screen addressed heavily polluted debris at the junction of the North Brook and St James Mill leat. 

This work enables float-operated valves to operate automatically, reducing reliance on manual backup.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:“The Exeter flood defence scheme offers a high level of flood protection, and we have made further improvements this year to keep the scheme working well.”

 “We work closely with partners including councils, the Crown Prosecution Service, and community groups to prepare for flooding.” 

“Our new enhanced flood warning service is now operational for Exeter and the Exe Estuary, featuring improved forecasting models for more accurate predictions.”

Recent river flows have tested the system, with the Exwick Radial Gates automatically diverting excess water into the Exwick flood relief channel. 

Peak flows this season have remained below 200 cubic metres per second, well within the scheme’s capacity. 

The river typically reaches the quayside near Potts ferry only when flows exceed approximately 300 cubic metres per second.

The Environment Agency works in partnership with Devon County Council and Exeter City Council to manage flood response. 

This includes coordinating road closures and diversions if the Station Road flood gates are closed, supporting the restoration of Trew’s Weir, and providing engineering and fisheries advice to minimise environmental impacts.

Community involvement has also been a focus. Trees felled during the scheme’s construction were replaced at a ten-to-one ratio, with around 3,000 new trees planted between Exwick Mill and Countess Wear. 

Local groups now manage newly planted orchards, and wetland scrapes downstream of Ducks Marsh have provided thriving habitats for wildlife, including otters and kingfishers.

The Environment Agency emphasises that no flood scheme can guarantee complete protection. 

Climate change increases the likelihood of extreme weather, which may in time reduce the standard of protection offered by existing defences. 

Residents are encouraged to check their flood risk, sign up for flood warnings, and follow guidance on preparing for and responding to potential flooding.

The enhanced flood warning service for Exeter and the Exe Estuary is operational and offers more accurate forecasts.