The Environment Agency is warning that flooding impacts from Storm Babet in England are set to continue this week.
Over 350 flood warnings have been issued across England since Thursday, with the most significant impacts currently in Yorkshire and the East and West Midlands.
Widespread flooding is probable from rivers in parts of the Midlands and the North of England. The Environment Agency is responding to severe flooding in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire catchments, where some rivers have exceeded 2007 levels - the previous highest levels.
Three severe flood warnings have now been lifted on the River Derwent in Derby, and two severe flood warnings have now been lifted on the River Idle in the East Midlands.
More flood warnings are expected to be issued across these regions into next week. River flooding will continue into Wednesday along the River Severn. Further flooding is possible from rivers and surface water on Tuesday and Wednesday for parts of England due to further heavy rain.
Communities are therefore being urged to prepare for the risk of significant flooding for the rest of this week. The public should sign up to flood warnings and check the latest safety advice as heavy downpours are likely to fall on saturated ground.
The Environment Agency said it 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. Pumps have been deployed to key locations in North Nottinghamshire to provide pumping if required.
The total number of properties reported to have been flooded is 1,250. An estimated 30,000 properties have been protected. 20 high volume pumps and 5 small volume pumps have been deployed. As of 20:10pm on Sunday 22nd October there were 128 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, and 127 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible.
Katharine Smith, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said:
"Following persistent, heavy rain from Storm Babet, we are seeing severe river flooding impacts on the River Idle in the East Midlands, where we have issued two severe Flood Warnings.
"Widespread flooding is probable from rivers today (Sunday) in parts of the Midlands and the North of England. River flooding may continue into Monday for parts of Yorkshire and the Humber and the East Midlands.
Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and have operated flood barriers and storage areas. Temporary defences, including pumps and barriers, have been deployed to minimise the impact of flooding where needed. Flood gates have also been closed in affected areas. The Agency is also advising people to stay away from swollen rivers and urging people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move a car.
Albion Water, the first NAV (New Appointment & Variation) to have been established in1999 and now under the ownership of SDS Water Group, has appointed Andy Holland as its new Director of Business Development.
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality.
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react.
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.