TWO severe flood warnings have been issued on the River Idle in the East Midlands as Storm Babet brings continued heavy rain.
Over 350 flood warnings have been issued across England since Thursday, with the most significant impacts currently in Yorkshire and the East and West Midlands.
Two severe flood warnings have been issued on the River Idle, at Retford, Eaton and Gamston, and at West Retford and Ordsall. This means that flooding poses a significant risk to life or significant disruption to communities. 200 properties were asked to evacuate by the Nottinghamshire Fire Service this morning with the River Idle due to peak at 8.00pm Sunday evening.
Widespread flooding is probable from rivers in parts of the Midlands and the North of England. The Environment Agency is responding to severe flooding in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire catchments, where some rivers have exceeded 2007 levels which are the previous highest levels.
Three severe flood warnings have now been lifted on the River Derwent in Derby.
More flood warnings are expected to be issued across these regions into next week. River flooding will continue into Wednesday along the River Severn. Further flooding is possible from rivers and surface water on Tuesday and Wednesday for parts of England due to further heavy rain.
Communities are therefore being urged to prepare for the risk of significant flooding for the rest of this week. The public should sign up to flood warnings and check the latest safety advice as heavy downpours are likely to fall on saturated ground.
The Environment Agency is working round the clock with its partners to help reduce the risk. Teams are operating flood defences, flood storage reservoirs and putting up temporary barriers where needed to help protect communities. Pumps have been deployed to key locations in North Nottinghamshire to provide pumping if required.
The total number of properties reported to have been flooded is 1,229.
An estimated 22,000 properties have been protected.
20 high volume pumps and 5 small volume pumps have been deployed. As of 12.30pm on Sunday 22nd October there are 2 severe flood warnings, meaning that flooding poses a significant risk to life or significant disruption to communities, 171 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, and 151 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible.
Katharine Smith, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said, “Following persistent, heavy rain from Storm Babet, we are seeing severe river flooding impacts on the River Idle in the East Midlands, where we have issued two severe Flood Warnings.
“Widespread flooding is probable from rivers today (Sunday) in parts of the Midlands and the North of England. River flooding may continue into Monday for parts of Yorkshire and the Humber and the East Midlands.
“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and have operated flood barriers and storage areas. Temporary defences, including pumps and barriers, have been deployed to minimise the impact of flooding where needed. Flood gates have also been closed in affected areas. We also advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
“People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation here and follow @EnvAgency on Twitter, for the latest flood updates.”
Find out if you’re at risk of flooding in England here
You can also use this interactive map to see areas of flood risk