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Flood Risk: Environment Agency Warns Communities To Stay Vigilant

photo by Morlen Jones

The Environment Agency is urging communities in England to check their flood risk and sign up to flood warnings as heavy rain is expected over the next few days.

Heavy showers could bring disruption to communities in parts of southern and central England as rain falls on already wet ground, increasing the risk of flooding.

As of 3pm there are 20 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – and 156 flood alerts – meaning flooding is possible - in place across the country.

stay away from swollen rivers and don't drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car

Environment Agency teams are out on the ground operating flood defences and clearing drainage channels to provide additional protection to communities that could be at risk.

photo by Ian Britton

Sheena Engineer, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

"We are monitoring rainfall and river levels closely and are already operating flood defences across southern and central England to help reduce the risk of flooding. Our teams have already put up temporary flood defences in a number of locations such as Bradford on Avon and are ready to deploy them in a number of communities including Guildford, Leatherhead, and Dorchester should they be needed.

"We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

"You can check your flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation at http://www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk, call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgency on Twitter for the latest flood updates."

photo by Mark Robinson

The advice to stay safe during wet weather comes as the Environment Agency and the AA published research yesterday showing that three quarters of drivers (74%) would risk driving through flood water, despite it being the leading cause of death during a flood.

So far this autumn rainfall records have been broken for South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and Lincolnshire, with the previous records set in 2000. England as a whole has had its fifth wettest autumn since records began with 348mm.