The UK is facing continued flooding risks as persistent heavy rain shows no sign of easing for at least another week. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for 99 locations, mainly in southern England, the southern Welsh border, and the East Midlands, with a further 170 areas at risk of flooding.
According to the Environment Agency, around 300 properties have already been flooded. This follows a record-breaking January, with Cornwall and County Down experiencing their wettest January on record, according to the Met Office.
A yellow weather warning for rain remained in effect for much of southern Wales and England until midnight on Monday. Further yellow warnings are expected for parts of eastern Scotland on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Met Office noted that winter has felt “stuck on repeat,” with 26 weather stations recording new highs for January rainfall.
The UK has already seen 89% of the average rainfall for meteorological winter (December to February), while England has exceeded it by 11%. Parts of Devon, Cornwall, Worcestershire, Somerset, and West Sussex have recorded over 30 consecutive days of rain, with some locations experiencing rain every day this year.
Andrew Hitchings, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, urged the public to remain vigilant. “With another band of rain on its way, we need the public to remain vigilant to the risk of flooding,” he said. He highlighted significant groundwater risks in Dorset and Wiltshire, and river flooding impacts on the Somerset Levels, East Midlands, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire.
Senior operational meteorologist Simon Partridge stated that the weather will remain unsettled throughout the week, with further wet and windy spells. “There is currently no sign of any prolonged dry weather for the next seven to 10 days,” he added.
