Flood warning as river levels continue to rise and more rain forecast
A FLOOD warning has been issued across South Derbyshire as water levels continue to rise along the River Trent.
A flood alert has been put out for the river at Willington and tributaries in Derbyshire from Newton Solney to Castle Donington as the recent rain has led to a rise in water levels. A flood alert means flooding is possible and people should be prepared.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: “River levels are high but steady at the Willington Cableway and Shardlow river gauges as a result of recent heavy rainfall. Consequently, the risk of flooding remains. Areas most at risk are low-lying agricultural land and roads including Willington, Barrow upon Trent, Swarkestone, Bargate Lane and the access roads to Willington Meadows, the Twyford village access road, Church Lane at Barrow, and Ingleby Lane.
“Further rainfall is forecast over the next 24 hours. We expect river levels to remain high for the next few days. We are closely monitoring the situation. Please avoid using low-lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low-lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.”
An alert is also in place for the Lower Dove at Doveridge. This covers low lying land and roads between Rocester and Clay Mills on the River Dove and Egginton Brook at Egginton.
It states river levels have risen overnight at the Doveridge river gauge as the result of rain associated with Storm Barra.
With further rain forecast, the situation is being monitored and the incident response staff are clearing weed screens and actively checking river levels and the weather forecast, a spokesman said.
On the River Churnet and River Tean, there is also an alert in place after levels rose overnight at the Basford Bridge river gauge
It states: “Flooding is likely to affect low-lying land and roads adjacent to the River Churnet between Leek and Rocester and the River Tean between Adderley and Spath including Cecilly Brook at Cheadle. Further rainfall is forecast later this afternoon. We are closely monitoring the situation.
“Please stay aware in case further warnings are issued and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.” ■■Weather, P20