The Environment Agency continues to call on the public to remain vigilant to the risk of significant flooding with warnings and alerts still in place across England.
Current forecasts show conditions are expected to remain unsettled, with further impacts expected across the country. There are currently 75 flood warnings and 151 flood alerts in place across the country, with snow and ice warnings in place across the country.
Over the weekend and into next week, any snowmelt is expected to be limited and gradual, so significant rises in river levels are not anticipated. However, the timing and rate of melt will still influence local river level patterns in northern upland areas.
Multiple groundwater flood warnings also remain in force for Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Groundwater responds slowly and may continue to cause prolonged disruption.
The Environment Agency continues to work in the region with local councils, the water company and emergency responders in response to flooding. Local residents are urged to avoid driving through floodwater.
Earlier this week, Floods Minister Emma Hardy visited Langport in Somerset, one of the areas most affected in recent weeks, to see the impact of flooding on the local community.
Before agreed trigger points were reached, Environment Agency teams proactively deployed pumps in locations across the Somerset Levels and Moors, so they would be ready to reduce the impact of flooding and stabilise water levels as soon as conditions allowed.
Since then, our teams have steadily increased their deployment in parts of the county. This includes Dunball where new pumps are removing 10 cubic metres – or tonnes - of flood water a second to lower river levels, alongside the existing tide gate. The installation of further pumps will take pump capacity at Dunball up to 15 cubic metres a second.
Alongside this, officers have been clearing vegetation, removing obstructions in rivers, and erecting temporary barriers where needed.
More widely, EA teams have been mobilised across the country to check on other flood defences, clear any river blockages and closely monitor river levels. They have been working around the clock to reduce the risk of flooding and will continue to be out in force over the coming days.
At this time, we estimate around 330 properties have been recorded as flooded and more than 24,000 have been protected by defences. These numbers are subject to change as our teams continue to verify the impacts on the ground.
Jonathan Day, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
With another band of rain on its way, we need the public to remain vigilant to the risk of flooding.
Significant groundwater flooding impacts are probable in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire, with minor groundwater impacts probable in Hampshire and West Sussex. Due to steadily rising levels, minor groundwater flooding impacts are possible in Kent and East Sussex.
>River levels will remain high in the Salisbury area today and on Saturday, and pumping operations continue to manage ongoing flooding on the Somerset levels.
So far more than 24,000 homes and business have been protected but sadly around 330 have suffered flooding and our thoughts are with those communities affected. Our teams will continue to do all they can to support local people, with pumps, temporary barriers and by clearing waterways to ensure flood water can drain away.
It is extremely dangerous to drive through flood water - we urge drivers not to do so.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:
Flooding is devastating and my thoughts are with the people affected, and I urge residents to follow local advice over the next few days to ensure they stay safe.
I am in regular contact with the Environment Agency on their response to the ongoing flooding who, alongside local authorities and the emergency services, are already taking action to keep communities safe.
To protect homes and businesses from future flooding situations, this government is investing a record £10.5 billion to protect a further 900,000 properties by 2036. This is alongside reprioritising over £100 million to maintain existing flood assets.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will review plans as the forecasts are updated.
As rainfall levels start to ease, some rivers, moors and levels will respond slowly to previous rainfall and therefore may continue to rise.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up to Get flood warnings by text, phone or email. People can also call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.