Communities along the River Thames and in Somerset are being warned to expect more flooding as river levels continue to rise.
The Environment Agency has issued 16 severe flood warnings - fourteen are in place in Berkshire and Surrey along the River Thames as water levels in the area are extremely high and are continuing to rise. Two severe flood warnings remain in place in Somerset. The Thames barrier closed again yesterday to protect communities to the West of the capital and is set to close again today. Since the beginning of January 2014 the barrier has been closed 29 times.
Groundwater flooding is also expected in the coming days in Hampshire, Kent and parts of London. The local authorities are working with the utility companies to respond to the incidents – with so much excess water now entering the sewerage network sewer flooding looks set to be an almost inevitable consequence for affected properties.
With further periods of heavy rain and strong winds now expected, the political arguments around the issue are continuing. Environment Agency Chairman Lord Smith, who has come in for sharp personal criticism in recent days, has mounted a strong defence of the Agency’s strategy for tackling floods. The Environment Agency's Board has written to employees expressing their support, saying:
"Throughout the many incidents of recent years the agency's board has been consistently impressed by the professionalism, commitment and resilience of staff, managers and directors - and never more so than in last two months."
Limitations on funding are repeatedly being highlighted as a key reason why the UK’s flood infrastructure is still in need of major levels of investment .
Paul Leinster, Chief Executive of Environment Agency, said the Agency’s teams would continue to work around the clock to protect lives, homes, businesses, communities and farmland over the coming days, commenting:
'Extreme weather will continue to threaten communities this week, with further severe flooding expected Monday evening into Tuesday along the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey. River levels are high across south west, central and southern England and further rain has the potential to cause significant flooding.”
Yesterday stand-in floods minister Eric Pickles, the Chancellor and the Prime Minister all declined to offer support to Lord Smith.
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