Flood Risk and Flooding Update - 21 June 2012 (afternoon)
The Environment Agency is asking people in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, the Wirral, and North Cheshire and Lancashire to remain vigilant and prepared for flooding from tomorrow afternoon through to Saturday.
The Met Office has issued an amber severe weather warning for heavy rain across parts of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire. 50 to 60 mm of rain is widely expected, with the potential for over 100mm in places, leading to surface water flooding of roads and land. There is also a risk of flooding from rivers in built up areas which respond quickly to high rainfall.
Rain is expected across many regions during Friday and into Saturday. The heaviest rain in the North West is expected from Friday lunchtime and the forecast is for it to continue into Saturday morning.
The Environment Agency has mobilised teams across the North West to check on flood defences, clear any river blockages and closely monitor river levels. These teams will be working around the clock to reduce the risk of flooding, and will be out in force again over the coming days.
The Environment Agency urged the public to remain vigilant and check its website and Twitter feed for the latest updates and flood warnings. It also advised the public to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through floodwater.
Parts of south east England, East Anglia, the north and east Midlands, and north and west Wales are also on alert for localised surface water flooding this afternoon and into the weekend.
The Environment Agency is expecting to have to issue a number of flood alerts and warnings. Flood alerts and warnings are updated every 15 minutes on our website.
