The UK may experience flooding and drought conditions simultaneously this autumn, the Environment Agency (EA) has warned. Vast parts of England remain in drought following the hottest summer on record, but recent heavy rain and wind have raised flood risks.
The Met Office forecasts a wetter and windier than average autumn, particularly in northern and western areas. Chief meteorologist Will Lang said the return to wetter conditions has been abrupt, with heavy showers and thunderstorms. The unsettled weather is expected to continue through much of September.
Caroline Douglass of the EA warned that heavy rainfall on dry, hard soil can cause rapid runoff, leading to localised flooding. Last week, a school and library in Bedfordshire and the National Trust’s Ickworth Estate were forced to close due to flooding. Despite the wet forecast, the EA says it could be months before some areas are lifted out of drought status.
The drought has affected farmers, with lower yields expected for crops like carrots and potatoes. The canal network has also been disrupted, with the Canal and River Trust closing locks to conserve water. The Government’s Flood Resilience Taskforce is set to meet on Monday to improve extreme weather preparedness, including using emergency phone alerts for life-threatening floods.
The EA is upgrading flood defences, but nearly one in ten of England’s most critical defences is not in good condition. Douglass assured that they will still function when needed.
