Environment Agency warns people to be prepared for further flooding
Communities in parts of the north and south west of England are warned to be prepared for flooding today due to heavy rain and high tides.
Communities in parts of the north and south west of England are warned to be prepared for flooding today due to heavy rain and high tides.
Further rain is forecast across these areas again tomorrow, and also in parts of southern England. Residents in these areas are warned there may be possible flooding. More rain is expected on Friday and Saturday across the north of England.
Read Winter flooding 2015: community support for advice and current information.
Temporary defences and pumps are being deployed across the country. In Cumbria, the Environment Agency has been carrying out work across the wider Ullswater valley to remove gravel and reduce flood risk. Teams are on the ground in Appleby, Keswick, Cockermouth and Glenridding.
In Yorkshire, teams are on the ground in Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Calderdale and York. Teams have inspected and repaired defences across the area following the Christmas flooding. Today, field teams are out checking on those repairs and making sure that temporary defences are sound. Military personnel are joining the Environment Agency on the upper Calder to protect flood defences.
There is the possibility for flooding along the rivers Severn, Wye and the Bristol Avon over the coming days. On the Somerset Levels and Moors, property flooding is not expected as high water levels earlier this month have receded following successful pumping activity. The Environment Agency has maximum storage capacity ahead of further rain.
Environment Agency flood warnings are updated every 15 minutes. People are urged to check the flood risk to their local area and to roads if they are planning to travel: https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings
Neil Davies, National Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
With heavy rain this week, people in the north and south west need to be prepared for the risk of flooding.
Environment Agency teams have been helping communities recover from the severe floods over Christmas. We are now preparing for further flooding as rain is expected to fall on ground left saturated after the wettest month on record.
There will be high tides on the coast of Cumbria and Lancashire which is expected to cause large waves and spray. We urge people to take care near coastal paths and promenades.
People should check their flood risk and keep up to date with the latest situation at https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding or follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates. We urge people not to drive through flood water: just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
ENDS
National media enquiries: 0800 023 2522 newsdesk@environment-agency.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
-
Before broadcasting any update on flood risk please check the number of flood warnings, these are updated on our website every 15 minutes: http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood/31618.aspx
-
People can check flood risk here: https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding
-
Advice for people who’ve been flooded: https://www.gov.uk/prepare-for-a-flood
-
Follow @EnvAgency on Twitter and #FloodAware for the latest flood risk advice.