Southern and south western England, south east Wales, the Midlands and the north east of England are being urged to prepare for flooding today, and warned to expect further rain over the weekend.
Successive bands of heavy rain are moving across England and Wales, and with the ground already saturated, this is likely to lead to property flooding from rivers and surface water as well as disruption to road and rail networks. This heavy rain is expected to ease on Friday, before returning again over the weekend.
The counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, West and East Sussex, south east Wales, Northamptonshire and North Yorkshire are particularly at risk, and people are being urged to keep up to date with the latest information from the Environment Agency website, sign up to free flood warnings, check their route for disruption before travelling, and not to drive or walk through floodwater.
John Curtin, Head of Incident Management at the Environment Agency, said:
'Our teams are out around the clock to minimise the risks and prepare for flooding, clearing drainage channels and ensuring that flood defences are working properly.
'We would urge people in at risk areas to keep up to date with the latest situation by checking the Environment Agency website and remain prepared for flooding in their area by signing up to receive free flood warnings.
'With a very busy travel weekend coming up, we would also ask that people check their route before travelling, and remember not to drive or walk through flood water.'
Sign up for free flood warnings
Those in areas at risk should check the Environment Agency website for the latest information and sign up for free flood warnings on the Environment Agency’s website or by calling the Environment Agency Flood Line on 0845 988 1188.
