Significant river flooding impacts are expected to continue until
Monday (8 January) in parts of the Midlands, Lincolnshire and on
the River Thames, due to the recent prolonged wet weather and
intense rainfall. Parts of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire have
seen increased river levels over the past 24 hours, with areas of
Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire continuing to also be impacted.
As of 17.30pm, Sunday 7 January, 167 flood warnings and 175
flood alerts are in place and Environment Agency teams are
out on the ground with other emergency responders operating
around temporary pumps, barriers and flood defences to help
reduce impacts.
So far, more than 62,000 properties have been protected from
flooding caused by Storm Henk, but sadly around 2,000 properties
have flooded.
While risks are likely to start reducing, ongoing flood impacts
are also likely across much of England over the next five days as
some larger rivers slowly respond to recent and forecast rain.
Many rivers are elevated and will remain so for several
days.
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 flood
water and follow the advice of local emergency services on the
roads.
Katharine Smith, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment
Agency, said:
Significant river flooding impacts are still expected today and
over the next few days across parts of the river Thames in
Oxfordshire as well as the River Trent near Nottingham and the
River Severn including Gloucester. The prolonged wet weather and
intense rainfall has led to flooding impacts and our thoughts are
with all of those affected.
Environment Agency teams are out on the ground, working to
minimise the impacts of flooding where possible by operating
flood defences and clearing watercourses. So far, more than
62,000 properties have been protected in the last few days. We
also urge people not to drive though flood water and follow
advice of local emergency services on the roads – flood water is
often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water 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.
