The Environment Agency has urged people to stay vigilant to the
risk of flooding and stay away from swollen rivers.
The Environment Agency is continuing to urge people to remain
vigilant following the recent extreme weather, as flood warnings
are still in place and a mixture of further rainfall and melting
snow could risk further disruption in parts of England on Monday
and Tuesday.
Heavy rainfall over the New Year saw significant river flooding
across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and
Yorkshire, with the highest river levels on record being reached
on the Mersey in Stockport and South Manchester.
People in affected areas should follow advice from emergency
services and take caution, particularly while travelling.
Those travelling are urged to stay away from swollen rivers and
to plan ahead when making journeys, as disruption from
significant flooding in the Midlands is possible on Monday and
into Tuesday, while minor impacts are also probable more widely
across other parts of England.
Environment Agency teams remain on the ground supporting the
public and are still operating flood defences and basins to
manage possible impacts.
As of 12:30 on Monday 6 January, there are 171 flood warnings,
meaning flooding is expected, and 316 flood alerts, meaning
flooding is possible, live across the country. Following the
recent incidents, the Environment Agency estimates that across
England more than 21,500 properties have been protected and at
least 350 properties have flooded, with reports of further
flooding being investigated.
Floods Minister has met with staff from the
Environment Agency and MPs in affected areas to discuss the
response to the heavy rain and flooding and to ensure that
communities are kept safe and receive the support they need.
The Environment Agency continues to monitor the forecast and
impacts on river levels. Its 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.
Sarah Cook, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency,
said:
Heavy rain and melting snow mean significant river flooding is
possible in the Midlands, with minor impacts probable more widely
across other parts of England, on Monday and into Tuesday.
Environment Agency teams continue to be out on the ground,
operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of
flooding, issuing flood warnings and supporting those communities
affected.
We urge people to remain vigilant over the weekend and advise
anyone travelling to be especially careful and urge people to
stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood
water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
People should search ‘check my flood risk',
sign up for free flood warnings, and keep up to date with the
latest situation at @EnvAgency on X.
Floods Minister said:
My thoughts are with the people, businesses and communities
impacted by the recent flooding across England.
I continue to speak with officials from the Environment Agency
and MPs to ensure that impacted communities are receiving the
necessary support. I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the
vital work that the Environment Agency and emergency services are
doing to keep people safe.
The Government is working at pace to accelerate the building of
flood defences through our new Floods Resilience Taskforce, so we
can continue to protect people and their homes.
Lessons from these floods will be fed directly into the new Floods Resilience
Taskforce to speed up the development of flood defences and
bolster the nation's resilience to extreme weather.
The Taskforce brings together the Secretary of State and Minister
Hardy with representatives from Defra, MHCLG, Home Office,
Cabinet Office, the Environment Agency, the Met Office, Local
Resilience Forums, Mayoral Offices, emergency responders and the
National Farmers Union, among others.
