UK has urged the public to remain vigilant as the Environment Agency continues to warn of significant flooding across England.
Current forecasts show conditions are expected to remain unsettled, with further impacts expected across the country.
At present, there are 64 flood warnings and 175 flood alerts in place, alongside rain and snow warnings for Wednesday and Thursday.
Multiple groundwater flood warnings remain in force for Dorset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire.
A Tuesday update on the UK government website disclosed this.
“Groundwater responds slowly and may continue to cause prolonged disruption,” the agency said.
Environment Agency teams continue to work closely with local councils, water companies, and emergency responders in response to flooding. Residents are being urged to avoid driving through floodwater.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy visited Langport in Somerset last week, 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,” the agency said.
Since then, teams have steadily increased their deployment in parts of the county, including Dunball, where new pumps are removing 10 cubic metres – or tonnes – of floodwater 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,” the statement added.
Officers have also been clearing vegetation, removing obstructions in rivers, and erecting temporary barriers where needed. More widely, Environment Agency teams have been mobilised across the country to check on other flood defences, clear river blockages, and closely monitor river levels. They are working around the clock to reduce the risk of flooding and will continue over the coming days.
At this time, the agency estimates around 340 properties have been flooded, while more than 22,000 have been protected by defences since late January.
“These numbers are subject to change as our teams continue to verify the impacts on the ground,” the release said.
Ben Lukey, 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 parts of Hampshire and West Sussex. Due to steadily rising levels, minor groundwater flooding impacts are possible in Kent, East Sussex and North Yorkshire.
“Ongoing significant river impacts remain possible on the Somerset Levels. So far more than 22,000 homes and businesses have been protected but sadly around 340 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.”
The Environment Agency continues to emphasise that residents should remain alert to local warnings and avoid driving through floodwater.
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