The Environment Agency is warning that flood risk remains despite rainfall easing -this morning’s Met Office forecast says that in parts of South Wales and South West England the amounts and intensity of rain may be enough to cause further flooding. The Agency is closing the Thames Barrier for this morning's tide in London to reduce the flood risk from the river after heavy rain.

There are currently 103 flood warnings in place, where flooding is expected and immediate action is required, with a further 217 flood alerts where flooding is possible. In the last 24 hours a total of 92 flood warnings have been removed. The latest three-day weather forecast says that South West England and Wales remain at greatest risk.

Communities across the country are being reminded to stay alert to the risks of flooding in the coming days, as heavy rain gives way to showery weather.

Heightened flood risk remains across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset where the ground is saturated, river levels remain high and even small amounts of rainfall could lead to further flooding. Communities along large rivers such as the Severn, Ouse, Trent, Avon and Thames, are also being urged to remain vigilant. The rivers remain high and are yet to peak in some areas, which may lead to further flooding of low lying land and roads.

The Environment Agency said its teams are continuing to work around the clock monitoring river levels closely. A number of temporary flood defences are currently in place to protect properties along these rivers from flooding. Demountable barriers have been erected at Ironbridge, Bewdley, Shrewsbury and Oxford and mobile pumping equipment is in place in Devon, Humberside and on the Derwent.

Emergency teams from the Environment Agency have been working round the clock to shore up defences, clear blockages from watercourses and pump out flood water from towns.

Latest figures show that around 470 properties have flooded since last Wednesday and the Environment Agency has sent over 112,000 warnings to people at risk of flooding. According to the Agency, flood defences have protected more than 21,000 properties across England and Wales, including 4,000 properties in Cornwall.

Local councils have recently questioned the Government's commitment to implementing sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS) - increasingly seen as key to the provision of better flood defence provision in the UK. A survey commissioned by sustainable drainage specialist Hydro International in early December found that 52% of 149 respondents from councils in England and Wales thought the government is “not entirely committed”, while a further 15.5% think it is not committed at all.