The Environment Agency (EA) has issued 26 flood warnings in England, along with 71 flood alerts (where flooding is possible).
Heavy rain is forecast to continue across the country, sparking fears of flooding in some areas.
In London, the rain is giving way to showers but the capital has been plagued with flooding in parts of the city over the past week, with Londoners needing to be rescued from cars as streets and Tube stations were awash with water.
With extreme weather becoming increasingly common, it’s worthwhile knowing what to do in a flash flood ahead of time. Read on for expert advice from the EA and the Red Cross that could be vital.
What to do in a flash flood
By their very nature, flash floods can rapidly spiral from a nuisance into life-threatening danger.
Reach and Rescue estimates that around five million people live in flood-risk areas in England and Wales, with one in six homes in England at risk of flooding. Knowing what to do could be crucial for you or loved ones.
Flash flooding happens when a lot of heavy rain falls in a short period of time and can create deep, fast-moving water that can injure or kill people and damage buildings.
That’s why it’s vital not to walk or drive through water. Instead, move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building if it is safe to do so. Call 999 if you need emergency help.
Remember that flash flooding can happen anywhere, whether that’s towns and cities or rural areas, even far away from rivers, lakes and the sea from rainfall on the ground.
It can take different forms, such as a river overflowing because of heavy rain, water pooling very quickly in an underpass in a town or city, or water rushing down a hill because of a reservoir failure or overload.
When heavy rain is predicted, keeping an eye on the Government’s flood alerts, or those issued by the Met Office and the EA, is always a good idea but be ready to take action even before a warning is issued.
If you see rising water levels, dark water that is moving with great force, debris in rivers and streams, and/or damage to buildings from flood water, these are signs of flash flooding and you should try and move to higher ground.
During flash flooding, you can receive information from Floodline, local radio, and your local council. If in doubt, call 111 for non-emergencies or 999 for emergency aid.
