Published 7 January 2024
Last updated 9 January 2024 — See all updates
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.
For images of operational activity by the Environment Agency,
please see the South
West, South East
and Midlands team’s
accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter.
