The Environment Agency is warning of ongoing flood risk and urging communities to check their flood risk and remain prepared to take action if needed following more heavy rainfall this weekend.

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

Provisional figures show that 15 rivers in the Midlands, Yorkshire and Lancashire recorded their highest ever levels during or triggered by Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis.

The River Severn and Wye are expected to rise in response to this rainfall, but are not currently forecast to reach the levels seen over previous weeks. Ongoing significant river flooding impacts are expected to affect the lower River Aire washlands in Yorkshire

Over 500 Environment Agency officers are currently deployed across England as flood warnings remain in place across the country, with ongoing flooding impacting parts of the West Midlands and Yorkshire.

There are still 74 flood warnings in place where flooding is expected and immediate action required, together with 134 flood alerts where flooding is possible .

Environment Agency operational staff raced to use a short window of time at the weekend while river levels on the Severn dropped to complete repairs to damaged barriers at Ironbridge. In Yorkshire, 18 pumps are being used across the Lower Aire washlands to accelerate the emptying of the washlands into the River Aire and River Don.

Environment Agency figures show that 127,000 properties have been protected by flood defences this winter.

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.

Doug Wilson, Flood Duty manager at the Environment Agency, commented:

“Environment Agency operational teams continue to work night and day to protect communities. We have completed repairs at the Ironbridge and Bewdley demountable defences and are mounting a large pumping operation to reduce levels on the Aire washlands.

“With further rain forecast over the weekend and into next week, our operational teams will continue to do everything we can to protect people and property. So far this winter 127,000 homes have been protected by our work.”

He added that the country had already seen exceptionally wet weather in February and would need to prepare for more periods of extreme weather.