The Environment Agency is encouraging people to take care after the Met Office issued a heavy rain warning for much of the country, including Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Up to 40 millimetres of rain is predicted for across the region between midnight on Thursday and lunch time on Friday with up to 90 milimetres falling in some places.
At the moment it is just a forecast and we don’t know how much rain will actually fall. If we do have the full 40 millimetres, we may issue some flood warnings across the region.
Rivers can probably cope with the heavy rain but we could see widespread surface water flooding.
Howard Davidson, Regional Director for the Environment Agency in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight said:
“We don’t want to cause unnecessary alarm. If rainfall is lower than predicted it will be wet but any flooding will be localised and from surface water rather than from rivers. If the rainfall is higher than predicted we could see more problems developing.
“We will be monitoring the rainfall and river flows very carefully over the next couple of days and will have people out across the region in case of flooding.”
There are several steps that people can take to protect themselves or reduce the impact of flooding. First, find out whether you are in a flood risk area by phoning Floodline on 08549 881188 or visiting our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk. Anyone who lives in a flood risk area can register with our Floodline Warnings Direct Service to receive flood warnings when flooding is likely.
Situation on Friday 20 July, 2007 at 1.30pm
There are currently 1 Flood Warning and 31 Flood Watches in force across the Thames Region.
Flood warnings are in force for the following:
· Addlestone Bourne and Hale Bourne catchment (There is a high likelihood of flooding in Lightwater, Windlesham and Chobham this afternoon and this evening)
Flood Watches are in force for the following:
· Hogsmill River catchment (This may result in general flooding problems in Kingston)
· Beverly Brook catchment (This includes the Pyl Brook, East Pyl Brook and their tributaries and may result in general flooding problem in the towns of Worcester Park, New Malden, Sutton and Morden)
· River Wandle (Inlcudes River Graveney, Norbury Brook and their tributaries and may lead to general flooding problems in Beddington, Hackbridge, Carshalton, Mitcham, Thornton Heath, Colliers Wood, SW16, SW17, SW18 and SW19).
· River Cut catchment (From Winkfield to the River Thames and may result in general flooding problems in Bracknell and Bray)
· River Loddon Catchment (This includes the Emm Brook, River Whitewater, River Hart, River Blackwater and their tributaries and may result in general flooding problems in the towns of Winnersh, Arborfield, Woodley, Blackbridge, Twyford, Charvil, Wargrave, Mytchett, Aldershot, Blackwater and Farnborough)
· The Addlestone, Hale and Chertsey Bourne Catchments (This may result in general flooding problems in towns and villages if Chobham, horpe, Lightwater, Windlesham, Horsell, West End, Addlestone, Bisley, Weybridge and Shepperton)
· River Mole catchment
· River Wey catchment (River Wey North and south branches, the Cranleigh Waters, the Tilling Bourne and the Hoe Stream which may result in general flooding problems in Alton, Farnham, Tilford, Eashing, Godalming, Peasmarsh, Guildford, Old Woking, Woking, Byfleet and Weybridge)
· River Ravensbourne catchment (This could result in general flooding problems in the towns of Bromley, Keston, Hayes, Catford, Lewisham, Deptford, Croydon, Beckenham, West Wickam, Orpington, Chislehurst (SE9, SE12, SE13 and SE3)
· Fluvial River Crane catchment (Duke of Northumberland’s River, Yeading Brook and their tributaries)
· River Pinn catchment (From Pinner to Yiewsley)
· River Brent (This includes the Deans Brook, Dollis Brook, Edgeware Brook, Mutton, Silk Stream, Wealdstone brook and their tributaries)
· Lower River Lee tributaries (Including Nazeing Brook, Ching Brook, Cobbins Brook, Pymmes Brook, Salmons Brook, Turkey Brook, Cuffley Brook and the Small River Lee)
· River Ingrebourne catchment
· River Windrush (This may lead to general flooding problems in Burford, Witney)
· River Evenlode (This may lead to general flooding problems in Cassington)
· River Ock (This may lead to general flooding problems in Abingdon)
· River Thame (This may lead to general flooding problems in Aylesbury)
· River Ray in Oxfordshire (This may lead to general flooding problems in Bicester, Wendlebury village, Islip)
· River Ray in Wiltshire (This may lead to general flooding problems in Swindon)
· River Cole (This may lead to general flooding problems in Swindon)
· River Cherwell, Sor and Bloxham brooks(This may lead to general flooding problems in Banbury, Kidlington)
· River Pang and Sulham Brook (This may lead to general flooding problems in Tidmarsh and Pangbourne)
· River Kennet, Lambourn and Enborne(This may lead to general flooding problems in Newbury)
· Ampney Brook
· River Churn (This may lead to general flooding problems in Cirencester and South Cerney)
· River Coln
· River Leach
· River Thames (Cirencester to St Johns Lock at Lechlade)
· River Thames (St Johns Lock to Eynsham Lock)
· River Thames (Sandford Lock to Days Lock)
Flooding information
The Environment Agency is encouraging people to be prepared after the Met Office issued a heavy rain warning for much of the country, including Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey and London.
