UK braces for further flooding with more rain expected to hit
The Environment Agency (EA) has issued flood warnings for 99 locations
Nearly 100 areas across Britain are bracing for flooding as persistent downpours show no sign of abating for at least another week.
The Environment Agency (EA) has issued flood warnings for 99 locations, primarily concentrated across the south of England, along the southern Welsh border, and within the East Midlands. A further 170 areas face the possibility of flooding.
This comes as an estimated 300 properties have already been inundated, according to EA figures.
The ongoing deluge follows a record-breaking January, which saw Cornwall in south-west England and County Down in Northern Ireland experience their wettest January on record, as confirmed by the Met Office.
A yellow weather warning for rain remained in effect for much of southern Wales and England until midnight on Monday.
Further yellow warnings are anticipated for parts of eastern Scotland on Tuesday and Wednesday. Forecasters at the Met Office noted a widespread sentiment that winter has been "stuck on repeat", with 26 of its weather stations recording new highs for January rainfall.
The UK has already seen 89 per cent of the average rainfall expected for meteorological winter (December, January and February) – while England has exceeded it by 11 per cent, it said.
Parts of Devon, Cornwall, Worcestershire, Somerset and West Sussex have recorded more than 30 consecutive days of rain, while North Wyke in Devon, Cardinham in Cornwall, and Astwood Bank in Worcestershire have seen it rain every day of the year so far.
Disruption and possible flooding could be seen in eastern Scotland on Tuesday, with 15-30mm of rain likely to fall widely and 40-60mm possible in places over higher ground, the Met Office said.
Andrew Hitchings, flood duty manager at the EA, said: “With another band of rain on its way, we need the public to remain vigilant to the risk of flooding.
“As well as significant groundwater remaining likely in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire, there are risks of significant river flooding impacts on the Somerset Levels, with minor river flooding impacts expected in parts of the East Midlands and probable in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
“So far more 16,000 homes and business have been protected but sadly 300 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.”
Senior operational meteorologist Simon Partridge said: “The weather is set to remain unsettled throughout the remainder of the week with further spells of wet and windy weather for many areas of the UK.
“With so much rain having already fallen over parts of the UK this year, many areas are sensitive to further rainfall. Therefore, further rainfall warnings are likely as the week progresses.
“There is currently no sign of any prolonged dry weather for the next seven to 10 days.”
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