UK floods: Environment Agency in urgent message to millions of Brits after Met Office weather warning

Brits are being urged to "keep an eye on the weather " by a major government body, after days of continuous rain led to widespread flooding at the start of the week that saw town centres underwater and scores of vehicles submerged. With many still drying out flood-damaged homes and businesses, the Environment Agency is warning more flooding might be on its way.

The Met Office has placed a yellow weather warning for heavy rainfall over a large swathe of the midlands, Yorkshire, and the north east, covering millions of households who are being told to prepare for power cuts, road closures, and potential damage from rising floodwaters. This weather warning is in place for the entirety of Thursday.

Heavy rain on Sunday and Monday led to widespread flooding, with areas around London and the south east worst affected. Around 200 homes across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Kent and the Home Counties are thought to have been flooded, with people living close to urban watercourses the most likely to see water damage from the heavy rainfalls.

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Work is continuing to lower surface water levels and repair flood damage, with local authorities clearing blockages and repairing power lines after Monday's deluges and thunderstorms.

Sarah Cook, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Due to yesterday’s heavy rain and thunderstorms, flood warnings and alerts remain in place across many parts of the country. The risk of further surface water flooding is also possible but not expected in parts of the Midlands and North of England on Thursday.

"Environment Agency teams continue to be out on the ground, supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. We urge people to plan their journeys carefully, follow the advice of local emergency services on the roads and not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

"People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on X, formerly Twitter, for the latest flood updates."

The Met Office forecasts rain for much of the UK on Thursday. Their outlook for Thursday and Friday reads: "Wet and perhaps windy weather affecting most areas on Thursday. Northern Scotland should remain drier, and colder. A showery, blustery and chilly northerly airstream for all on Friday."