WIREDGOV

Two severe flood warnings remain in place on the Somerset Levels, whilst the country’s largest-ever pumping operation continues in order to reduce flood water on the Levels and Moors.

Millions of tonnes of water pumped daily

Over 65 pumps, including those imported from the Netherlands, are working to pump millions of tonnes of water off the levels every day.

Across the rest of southern and central England river levels continue to fall, including along the Thames and the Severn, although properties could remain flooded from some time - including those in Windsor and Maidenhead, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Wokingham and West Berkshire. The weather outlook remains unsettled over the next few days and so the reduction in flood risk across the south will be slow.

Groundwaters continue to rise

Groundwaters continue to rise, with ongoing flooding in parts of Greater London, Kent, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. Local authorities will work with utility companies to respond to these incidents.

Flood warnings are still in place across southern and central England. As of 1300 there are two severe flood warnings, 76 flood warnings and 123 flood alerts in place across England.
 
The Environment Agency is supporting local authorities in their recovery efforts, and will continue to work closely with multi-agency command centres across the country as part of its work with a wide range of partners including the military, local authorities and the emergency services.

Continuing to work 24/7

The Environment Agency is continuing to work 24/7 to protect communities and has deployed 50 demountable defences since 29 January weeks to help provide additional protection to at risk communities.

Since 29 January 2014, over 207,000 properties have been protected from flooding. The Environment Agency has sent over 2.6 million flood warning messages to people at risk.

Paul Mustow, Environment Agency flood risk manager said: 

“People and communities continue to deal with the devastating effects of flooding and our thoughts are with them. Although it is currently an improving picture across most of the country we will continue to see the impacts of flooding for many days to come.

“We will continue to work closely with local authorities in the coming weeks to support their recovery efforts and still have teams working around the clock to protect communities.

“Communities affected by flooding can find advice on the Environment Agency website, local authorities’ websites and on social media using #floodaware.”