The Environment Agency is warning that significant flood risk remains in place in parts of England – flood defences on the River Severn at Bewdley have now been overtopped.

Rain is continuing to fall after England has now received over 200% of its average February rainfall with some areas experiencing a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.

Severe river flooding is expected on the River Severn due to the recent extreme weather and further rainfall on the way.

The Agency warned yesterday that potential overtopping of defences remained of high concern in Ironbridge and Bewdley due to record-breaking river levels along the Severn,. Ongoing significant flooding is possible along the Severn through to Friday as river levels will remain exceptionally high.

Water levels are expected to peak this morning on the River Severn in Shropshire. However, the flood defences in Ironbridge are currently holding.

Other rivers where significant river flooding is possible include the Wye, Ouse and Trent. The Agency said that further localised flooding is possible in parts of England later this week and into weekend due to further heavy rainfall expected on Friday. Groundwater levels across parts of Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Sussex are continuing to rise and will lead to further flooding later this week.

River levels have exceeded existing records across the country this winter with a further 100 of the Environment Agency’s river gauges surpassing all time readings this decade. The Rivers Colne, Ribble, Calder, Aire, Trent, Severn, Wye, Lugg and Derwent are among the many rivers where records have been broken due to continuous wet weather.

Since the start of Storm Dennis, up to 1,000 Environment Agency staff per day have been mobilised on the ground to issue flood warnings, operate flood defences and temporary pumps, clear debris from rivers, inspect damaged flood defences and make repairs.

Environment Agency operational teams have put up more than 6km of temporary flood barriers across the country and flood defences have protected over 33,700 properties from flooding over the last week.

The Environment Agency is urging people to check their flood risk and remain prepared to take action as the situation changes.

Caroline Douglass, Director of Incident Management at the Environment Agency, said:

“River levels remain exceptionally high and communities along the river Severn – in particular Shrewsbury, Bewdley, Bridgnorth and Ironbridge should be ready for potentially severe flooding. River levels are also of concern on the lower river Ouse at Cawood.”

“We are in our fourth week of exceptional river levels and stormy weather; with the effects of climate change, we need to prepare for more frequent periods of extreme weather like this.”