The Environment Agency is urging people to sign up to flood warnings and to check the latest safety advice
The Environment Agency is warning communities that a significant flood risk remains for the next few days in parts of England, with further flooding expected due to recent extreme weather.
Although this band of rainfall has now passed, severe river flooding is expected on the River Nene as water makes its way through catchments and river levels remain high. While the Met Office has forecast a relatively calm Christmas Day, Storm Bella is also expected to bring high winds and further heavy rain moving in from the north on Boxing Day and into the 27th December. This means that there is the possibility of minor flooding in parts of the South West, South East, West Midlands, and North West.
As of 10:15pm on Thursday 24 December, there are two severe flood warnings for Cogenhoe Mill Caravan Site and Billing Aquadrome in Northampton meaning there is an immediate risk to life; 108 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected; and 136 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible, in places across the country.
Environment Agency teams have been out on the ground today deploying barriers and pumps, working with the emergency services and partners to reduce the risk for communities across the country. This activity will continue over the coming days to keep people safe over Christmas and the New Year.
Caroline Douglass, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
The public can check their flood risk and keep up to date with the latest situation, or by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or following @EnvAgency on Twitter.