Press Release: 7th January 2024
From: Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
While many rivers have peaked and water levels are expected to fall, the Environment Agency continues to monitor and respond to the impacts of the recent flooding across England and is advising the public to remain cautious. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected.
Following the prolonged wet weather, minor flooding is expected to continue on the River Trent and is probable on the River Severn for the next two days, while minor impacts on the River Thames are expected until Wednesday and then possible until Friday. Minor groundwater flooding is expected across parts of Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire and is possible more widely across parts of the south of the country and Yorkshire and the Humber throughout the next five days.
As of 10.45am on Tuesday 9 January, 116 flood warnings and 129 flood alerts were in place. Environment Agency teams are out on the ground with other emergency responders, operating temporary pumps, barriers and flood defences to help reduce impacts. As part of the response, an ultra high volume pump, 96 high volume pumps and 46 small volume pumps have been deployed across several sites.
So far, more than 80,000 properties have been protected from flooding in the last few days, but sadly around 2,100 properties have flooded. We will work to understand if more could be done to better protect these properties in future.
While the risks are reducing, ongoing impacts are likely to continue across England. The Environment Agency continues to monitor the forecast and impacts on river levels, including the potential for groundwater and tidal risks.
The message to the public remains to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation. Anyone driving is urged to not to go though floodwater and to follow the advice of local emergency services on the roads.
Dr Kate Marks, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
“Following the recent period of prolonged wet weather, minor flooding is expected to continue for the next two days on the River Trent and the River Severn and for the next four days on the River Thames. Minor groundwater flooding is also expected across parts of Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, while it is also possible more widely across parts of the south and Yorkshire and the Humber until the end of the week.”
“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground, working to minimise the impacts of flooding where possible by operating flood defences and clearing watercourses. Our thoughts are with all those affected and more than 80,000 properties have been protected in the last few days. We urge people not to drive though flood water and to follow the advice of local emergency services on the roads – floodwater is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm is enough to float your car.”
“People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on X, formerly Twitter, for the latest flood updates.”
You can sign up for flood warnings and the latest flood updates here:
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