The Environment Agency is expecting “significant river flooding impacts” today (Friday, January 5) and tomorrow (Saturday, January 6).
The flooding is expected across parts of the Midlands on the River Trent and in Gloucester as well as in the South West on the River Avon due to recent “prolonged wet weather”.
The Environment Agency said its emergency responders and local authorities are helping to protect people and properties following the flooding across the Midlands, Southwest and Southeast.
Teams are working to minimise the impacts of flooding where possible, operating flood defences and clearing watercourses.
So far, more than 44,000 properties have been protected from flooding caused by Storm Henk in the last few days, the Environment Agency has confirmed.
While risks are likely to start reducing over the weekend, ongoing flood impacts are also likely across much of England over the next five days as some larger rivers slowly respond to recent and forecast rain.
Many rivers are elevated and will remain so for several days, the agency warned.
Flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, Stefan Laeger, said: “Significant river flooding impacts are still expected today and on Saturday across parts of the East Midlands on the River Trent downstream of Nottingham, the River Severn including Gloucester and Tewkesbury and also today in the South West on the River Avon due to the recent prolonged wet weather and intense rainfall.
“Flood impacts are expected to continue over parts of England over the next five days as rivers and groundwater levels remain high, despite a change to drier weather.
“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground, working to minimise the impacts of flooding where possible by operating flood defences and clearing watercourses.”
Laeger said the Environment Agency is also urging people not to drive though flood water and follow advice of local emergency services on the roads.
“…flood water is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car,” he said.
