Communities in southern, south west and central England remain at risk of flooding, with further heavy rain expected to affect the country today and tomorrow.
Continued heavy rainfall means that flooding will remain for several days. Although water levels may fall throughout today, they are expected to rise again on the Thames and Severn, affecting places already experiencing flooding.
The Environment Agency has teams out on the ground across the country making sure blockages are removed from rivers, supporting the deployment of sandbags by local authorities, and working to put up temporary defences.
Flood schemes have defended more than 1.3 million homes
To support the ongoing response to the extreme weather and extended flooding, additional temporary flood defences have been ordered from Sweden and the Netherlands to ensure as many communities as possible are protected.
As of 13:00 on Thursday 13 February the Environment Agency has 16 severe flood warnings in force, as well as 128 flood warnings.
Since the beginning of December, flood schemes have defended more than 1.3 million homes and businesses and protected nearly 2,500 square kilometres of farmland across England. In the same period, 5,800 properties have flooded as a result of the extraordinary series of weather storms.
The Environment Agency’s flood scheme in Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire, which was completed in 2012, is working well and protecting the town from flooding.
In November 2013 the Environment Agency completed construction of the Newbury, Berkshire Flood Alleviation Scheme which is currently helping to protect 381 properties and 69 commercial properties in the area.
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Press Release, February 14, 2014