Environment Agency urges caution followingahead rainof over New Year celebrations

The Environment Agency has urgedissued peoplea toyellow stayflood vigilantwarning towith heavy and persistent rain expected tonight (31 Dec) and into tomorrow (1 Jan) across the riskNorth of floodingEngland, andthe stayPennines awayand fromparts swollenof rivers.the Midlands.

Those travelling followingor celebrating the New Year celebrations are urged to stay away from swollen rivers, with significant river flooding impacts possible in parts of NorthEngland Westuntil Thursday (2 Jan). Significant surface water flooding impacts are possible in parts of England todaytonight (Wednesday(31 1Dec) January).and tomorrow (1 Jan) due to widespread heavy rain.

The Environment Agency continues to monitor the forecast and impacts on river and surface water levels. Its message to the public remains to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation.

BenStefan Lukey,Laeger, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

Heavy“Heavy and persistent rain fromtonight lastand night into thistomorrow morning means river levels willare remainlikely to be high across partsthe North of theEngland, NorthPennines and parts of Englandthe Midlands until Thursday,the end of the week, with significant inland flooding possible todayuntil Thursday and minor impacts probablepossible in places on Thursday.Friday.

Environment“Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground, operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding, issuing flood warnings and supporting those communities affected.

We“We advise anyone travelling or out celebrating the New Year to be especially careful and urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through floodthrough  flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.  

People

“People should search ‘check my flood risk’, sign up for free flood warnings, and keep up to date with the latest situation at @EnvAgency on X.X.”

Images of operational activity by the Environment Agency are available via the Midlands and Yorkshire & North East teams’ accounts on X.