News

Risk Of Flooding Due To Heavy Rainfall

18/11/2009

By Lea Pachta

The Environment Agency and Met Office are warning of possible flooding to parts of the UK this week until Friday due to a predicted period of heavy and prolonged rain. The main areas of concern are Wales and north west England.

Rainfall tonight and early tomorrow could result in the Environment Agency issuing more flood watches, particularly as it will be falling on to already saturated ground. River levels in many areas are still high from the recent rainfall. Forecast heavy rain for the north west of England and Wales from Wednesday afternoon onwards is of most concern and there is the potential for a large number of flood watches and some further flood warnings being issued in these areas.

Environment Agency staff have been clearing culverts and unblocking drains to reduce the risk of flooding from surface water, as well as checking defences.

The Environment Agency currently has four flood warnings and sixteen flood watches across the country and it is expected that this number will increase significantly over the next few days.

Phil Rothwell, Environment Agency Head of Flood Risk Strategy, said:

"The heavy rain over the weekend has left the ground saturated and the rivers full. In light of the forecast for more rain over the coming days, the Environment Agency is continuing to closely monitor river levels, and our teams have been out on the ground checking flood defences across the country.

"People should check the latest flooding situation and sign up to our free flood warnings service here"

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