The Environment Agency is urging communities along the River
Severn to be prepared for significant flooding as the impact of
Storm Franklin continues to cause high river levels.
Two severe flood warnings,
meaning there is a danger to life, remain in place for the River
Severn at the Wharfage in Ironbridge and in Wribbenhall, Bewdley
where some residents were evacuated.
Unprecedented weather, during which three storms were named by
the Met Office, has led to river levels coming close to beating
historic highs, including at the Upper Severn and River Mersey in
Didsbury.
Where defences are outflanked we undertake pumping where possible
and safe to do so, to reduce water levels, as well as supporting
the community through warning and informing.
Sadly around 400 properties have flooded across different parts
of the country as a result of the heavy rain and our thoughts are
with all those who have suffered damage to their properties as a
result of the storms.
The Environment Agency has been working over the past week to
prepare for the reasonable worst case impacts of Storm Eunice and
Storm Franklin, planning for all scenarios to help keep
communities and people safe.
Teams have been out on the ground to erect barriers and clear
screens to help mitigate potential flooding impacts.
Environment Agency defences have protected more than 40,000
properties from flooding in places such as Didsbury, Derby and
Mytholmroyd.
Dan Bond, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency,
said:
We are still facing a significant flooding risk, and we are
urging people to remain vigilant and take extreme care. Last
weekend’s heavy rainfall on already wet areas continues to cause
river flooding along the River Severn and is likely to continue
over the next few days.
So far we have received reports of around 400 properties having
flooded over the past few days. Our thoughts go out to all those
affected – flooding can and does have a devastating impact on
people’s lives.
We have teams out on the ground taking preventative action,
closing flood gates, deploying temporary barriers and moving
pumps and other response equipment to areas of highest risk.
Environment Agency defences have protected more than 40,000
properties despite record river levels.
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 move your car.
People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood
warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation at
https://www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk,
call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgency on Twitter
for the latest flood updates.”
Over the coming days, the risk of flooding along the River Severn
poses the greatest threat to communities. As of 2pm, there are 2
severe flood warnings in place, meaning there is a danger to
life, 52 flood warnings in place, meaning that flooding is
expected, and 43 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is likely.
