Check out your flood risk as wet weather continues
Flooding at Higher Croft, Penwortham, Preston Resident Dave Buller up to his knees in flood water
ENVIRONMENT Agency officers in Yorkshire are advising residents and businesses to check their flood risk today and over the weekend as a wet forecast presents an increased risk of flooding to communities.
Heavy rainfall across the country overnight has caused river levels to rise, and more heavy rain is predicted to fall in Yorkshire from Saturday afternoon and into Sunday.
So far the wet weather has not resulted in significant flooding in Yorkshire, but residents are being advised to remain vigilant in monitoring weather forecasts and checking their local flood risk on the Environment Agency’s website.
Environment Agency officers responded yesterday to a request for help from Yorkshire Water, to help clear a blocked culvert in Hornsea. The blockage caused water to begin backing up, increasing the risk of local flooding. Officers worked with Yorkshire Water and East Riding of Yorkshire Council until 11pm in last night’s poor weather to clear the blockage. The water was moved on using mobile pumping equipment.
Nationally, the latest figures show that nearly 300 properties have flooded across the country since Tuesday and the Environment Agency has sent over 10,000 warnings to people at risk of flooding. Environment Agency flood defences have protected over 5,700 properties across England and Wales, including in Cheltenham, Teignmouth and Weston-Super-Mare.
Phil Younge, Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Yesterday’s rainfall affected southern parts of the country quite significantly, and we hope that the wet weather ahead of us does not cause any further disruption. However, ground water and river levels are high at the moment and we have more rainfall coming, so we need to prepare against the risks.
“The Environment Agency is checking its defences and continuing to monitor rainfall and river levels - and we are urging people to make sure they are prepared, just in case. Our website has a wealth of information on how you can keep yourselves safe in the event of flooding, and you can also find out your own flood risk.”
As of this morning (Friday) there were nine flood alerts in place across the Yorkshire and North East region. Some of these are expected to be lifted today, but more alerts and warnings may be issued tomorrow.
You can find out your local flood risk and sign up to free flood alerts on the Environment Agency’s website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk, or by calling Flood Line on 0845 988 1188. People can also get updates on Twitter by following @EnvAgencyYNE.
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Weather for Goole
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: North east
