Heavy rain from Storm Christoph falling on already saturated ground has continued to affect parts of northern, central and eastern England, leading to a significant risk of flooding in a number of areas.
As of 1:30pm on January 20 there are 61 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, and 184 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible. However, it is expected this number will continue to increase in the next 24 hours.
Rainfall reached record levels on Tuesday – the wettest January day for Rochdale (46.8mm), Preston (Preston 43.6 mm) and Stonyhurst (43.8mm) in Lancashire since 1954.
People living in the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands are being urged to prepare for the risk of significant flooding for the rest of this week.
The public is being urged to sign up to flood warnings and check the latest safety advice as heavy downpours are likely to fall on saturated ground.
Over 600 properties protected
The Environment Agency is continuing to work around the clock with partner agencies to help reduce the risk and already more than 600 properties have been protected, with this figure expected to rise.
Teams are operating flood defences, flood storage reservoirs and putting up temporary barriers where needed, to help protect communities.
Craig Woolhouse, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said:
More heavy rain falling on already saturated ground is likely to bring significant surface and river water flooding to parts of the North West of England, Yorkshire and the Midlands today, tomorrow [Thursday] and into the weekend, which could cause damage to buildings in some communities.
“There’s also a chance of localised flooding of land and roads across parts of the southeast of England on Saturday due to further rain.
“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground clearing grilles, screens, deploying temporary flood defences and closing flood barriers,” he concluded.
