Wet start to the New Year means flood threat remains
Communities should remain alert to the risk of further flooding.
Environment Agency staff continuing to work to clear watercourses
This news item is not being updated. Read Winter flooding 2015: community support for current information.
The Environment Agency is warning that with further wet weather expected across much of England today (4 January) and tomorrow (5 January) communities should remain alert to the risk of further flooding.
Environment Agency teams continue to support communities affected by flooding with teams pumping away flood water, repairing damaged defences, clearing river blockages, monitoring water levels and sending out flood warnings.
The Met Office has forecast heavy showers across the country today (4 January) and tomorrow (5 January).
With river levels remaining high across many parts of the country there is the potential for further flooding today and tomorrow in parts of north-east England, parts of Devon and Cornwall, as well as parts of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, mainly around the River Severn. This has the potential to disrupt travel in these areas.
As of 13:00pm on 4 January there are 30 flood warnings and 158 flood alerts in place across England. Flood warnings are updated on the Environment Agency website every 15 minutes.
Over 40 additional Environment Agency pumps have been dispatched to the north of England to ensure that flood water is pumped away as fast as river levels will allow. Demountable flood barriers are still deployed on the River Severn at Shrewsbury and Bewdley.
Clare Dinnis, Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
“Our work continues into the New Year as we offer ongoing support to communities that have been affected by these terrible floods and our hearts go out to all those who have suffered the devastating impacts of flooding.
“With more wet weather due this week we are monitoring the situation across the country closely and will issue further flood warnings as required.
“We will continue our ongoing work to repair flood defences, protect communities, and pump away flood water.”
Communities affected by flooding can find advice by checking flood warnings and river levels, local authorities’ websites and on social media using #floodaware.