Use the hashtag #floodaware on Twitter to keep up with the latest updates by the minute
Heavy rain will continue to fall across Northern England today and with the ground still saturated and river levels at recent record highs, there is the potential for further significant flooding especially in Cumbria.
Repairs to the breach at Croston on the River Douglas are continuing. A Chinook helicopter is being employed to deposit 1 tonne sandbags. Further bags are ready for today subject to flying conditions.
York’s Foss Barrier is now operational following emergency work and flood waters in the city are receding, although the community should remain vigilant with levels expected to rise again later in the week. Environment Agency operational staff and the army worked around the clock to get the Foss Barrier pumps repaired after high river levels flooded the pump room and affected the power system.
As of 11.00 on 30 December there are 3 severe flood warnings, 46 flood warnings and 85 flood alerts in place across England and Wales. Flood warnings are updated on the Environment Agency website every 15 minutes.
The country has faced an extraordinary period of severe weather and flooding since the start of December. Cumbria has faced the wettest December on record. Across the north of England over the past week more than 6,700 homes have flooded as river levels reached all time highs.
Environment Agency teams remain out in force deploying temporary defences and sandbags to reinforce existing defences, repairing damaged defences, clearing river blockages, monitoring water levels and sending out flood warnings. Environment Agency staff from across the country have been sent to provide support in affected areas.
Craig Woolhouse, Director of Incident Management at the Environment Agency, said: "Our hearts go out to those that have been flooded. Environment Agency teams continue to work around the clock in difficult conditions.
The weather remains hugely challenging, with more rain threatening to cause further flooding in Cumbria and Yorkshire today and into New Year’s Eve. We urge communities and visitors, particularly in Cumbria to prepare and not to walk or drive through flood water.
The public should continue to listen to and co-operate with the emergency services, particularly those in the areas where severe flood warnings have been issued. People can sign up to receive free flood warnings, check their flood risk and keep up to date with the latest situation on social media using #floodaware."
The NFU is calling for an extension of the Farming Recovery Fund to the whole of the north of England as it works with government to support members affected by major flooding problems caused by severe rainfall in large parts of northern England.
Andrew Clark, NFU Director of Policy, said staff in the affected regions are monitoring the situation, and offering help and advice to any members who had been affected by the heavy rain.
“We send our sympathies to the people whose homes and land have been hard-hit by serious flooding in parts of northern England and Wales. We are working with the Environment Agency, the RPA and Defra to ensure support is available to farmers as homes and businesses recover from the damage.