Itll come as no surprise to Hayling Islanders that January 2014 has gone down as the wettest on record for the area. With relentless low pressures buffeting the UK Hayling and the surrounding Hampshire countryside has received its fair share of rain.
Haylings seafront has also taken a pounding with high tides large swells and gale force winds all combining to wreak havoc along the shingle.
According to the Met Office an average of 213.1mm of rain fell on Hampshire between January 1 and January 28 when normally this figure would be around 88.2mm. Average seasonal temperatures have also increased by 1.7C making the new figure 6.5C a sign of global warming?
With the wettest January since 1910 now official weather systems show no signs of slowing down the next big one due on Wednesday is currently waiting in the wings. After a brief respite last week the weekend saw strong winds and big swell surging along the shingle while mid-weeks storm activity is forecast to be even more extreme.
The Environment Agency has urged residents to remain vigilante with the imminent arrival of the of the bad weather. Gusts of up to 60mph are expected with particularly high seas.
Some comfort should be taken that Hayling hasnt had it quite as bad as elsewhere in the country. The widely reported flooding across Somerset Levels is not showing any sign of dispersing yet. Locals are facing an unprecedented seventh week of misery with yet more on the cards.
You can keep up to date with flood warnings by visiting the Environment Agency website or visiting the Met Office forecast for Hayling. And dont forget the Hayling Facebook page which features a daily eyeball update from the beach.
