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Rolling updates on flooding impacts from Storm Babet in England.
Members of the public are being warned to remain vigilant to the continued flooding impacts from the Rivers Trent and Idle in the coming days, the Environment Agency has said.
As of 13:45 on Tuesday 24 October there are 67 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, and 83 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible. The EA’s flood warning service has sent out over 300,000 messages by email, telephone and text during Storm Babet.
Tragically, a number of deaths have been widely reported and, sadly, the total number of properties reported to have been flooded stands at 1,300.
An estimated 47,000 properties have been protected and as part of the EA’s response, twenty high volume pumps and five small volume pumps have been deployed across several sites.
The Environment Agency is working round the clock with its partners to help reduce the risk. Teams are operating flood defences, flood storage reservoirs and putting up temporary barriers where needed to help protect communities.
The EA has said significant river flooding is possible but not expected today (Tuesday) and into Wednesday across parts of the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. Minor river flooding impacts are also possible across the south of England later today and into Wednesday as further heavy rain pushes across these areas. Further rain on Thursday may lead to minor river flooding impacts in parts of the East Midlands and East of England as rain falls on to sensitive catchments.
The public should sign up to flood warnings and check the latest safety advice as heavy downpours are likely to fall on saturated ground.
Sarah Cook, Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
“Our heartfelt sympathies and condolences are with those who have lost loved ones in Storm Babet as well as those who are experiencing the devastating impact of having their homes and businesses flooded.”
“The public should remain wary of ongoing significant river flooding impacts from the Rivers Trent and Idle through parts of the Midlands today and tomorrow, which will reduce later this week.
“We have been able to protect more than 47,000 properties across affected areas throughout the country and Environment Agency teams are out on the ground operating flood barriers and storage areas.
“We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
“People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation at https://www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk, call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or follow @EnvAgency on Twitter for the latest flood updates.”
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This update reflects the most recent situation regarding Storm Babet as of 13.45 on Tuesday 24 October.
The story has been updated to reflect the latest picture as of 3.30pm 23 October.
Update on the latest flooding situation, as of 20:10pm Sunday 22 October
The story has been updated to reflect the latest picture as of 22nd October.
This is an update to reflect the numbers of properties protected and flooded as of 15.15 on Saturday 21 October.
This update reflects the latest situation as of 12.30pm on Saturday 21 October.
First published.
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