Flooding impacts acrossfrom theheavy countryrainfall from Monday 23 September

Heavy rainfallrain forecast over the next 24 hours across the country means significant river and surfacethunderstorms waterfrom floodingMonday is23 possibleSeptember acrosshave centralled England

Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Worcestershire, Bedfordshire and Gloucestershire, amongst others, are likely to beflooding affected with minor impacts expected in other parts of SouthernEngland. EnglandThese andimpacts theincluded Northa withcombination river flooding is also possible on Friday in the north-east of England.

Atsurface 1pmwater on Thursday there were 27 flood warnings, showing flooding is expected, and 73some floodriver alerts,flooding. showingAround flooding200 is possible.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms earlier in the week has led to around 385 properties were flooded across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Kent and the Home Counties.

With further rain coming, Environment Agency teamsstaff areremain out on the groundground, putting up flood defences, clearing blockages and supporting local authorities in their response work.

WeWith unsettled conditions expected during the coming few days, further flooding is possible but not expected on Thursday and Friday, so we continue to urge people to keep an eye on the weather, check their flood risk, and take care planning their journeys.

Kate Marks, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

HeavyFollowing rainfallthis acrossweek’s theheavy countryrain meansand thatthunderstorms, significantflood riverwarnings and surfacealerts waterremain floodingin impactsplace areacross possiblemany in parts of centralthe Englandcountry. todayThe andrisk intoof Friday.further Minorsignificant riversurface water flooding impactsis are also possible but not expected in parts of north-eastthe Englandcountry todayon Thursday and Friday.

Environment Agency teams continue to be out on the ground, supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. We urge people to plan their journeys carefully, follow the advice of local emergency services on the roads and not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on XX, formerly Twitter, for the latest flood updates.

The FloodingEnvironment MinisterSecretary has been in Northamptonshire today visitedto communitiesmeet inEnvironment DunstableAgency andteams Leightonwho Buzzardhave been working with partners to hearprotect morecommunities aboutfrom the impacts earlierof thisflooding.

Secretary week.of OnState Wednesday,for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed said:

My heartfelt sympathies go to all those affected by flooding in recent days.

Today in Northampton I’ve seen firsthand the vital work that the Environment SecretaryAgency visitedand Northamptonshireemergency onservices Wednesdayare doing to receiveprotect acommunities briefingfrom onthe theirdangers of flooding. 

The Government is working around the clock to speed up the building of flood defences and boost our emergency response through our Flood Resilience Taskforce.

The Environment Agency recognises the threat from surface water flooding and is taking action to improve the actionscountry’s takenresilience – for instance supporting local flood authorities to protectenhance communitieslocal locally.surface water flood risk mapping. See our blog on surface water flooding for more information.