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 this week.

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 urged to remain vigilant. These rivers remain high and are yet to peak in some areas, which may lead to further flooding of low lying land and roads.

Environment Agency teams continue to work around the clock monitoring river levels closely, and have temporary flood defences 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 also been working through the night to shore up defences, clear blockages from watercourses and pump out flood water from towns.

Three day Flood Risk Forecast issued at 10:30 24 Dec.

Summary

There is a MEDIUM flood risk across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset with some further significant disruption possible from on-going flooding there.

There is then a LOW flood risk in these areas through Tuesday and Wednesday as conditions gradually improve, but further outbreaks of rain may still cause flooding issues at times.

There is also a MEDIUM flood risk from groundwater flooding in Dorset today and tomorrow as levels are rising there and may cause disruption, especially to main roads, and this may continue into Wednesday too.

Across most other parts, including much of Wales, there is a LOW flood risk today and on Tuesday, as some flooding due to recent rainfall continues in these areas and further rain may also lead to further flooding problems.

There will also be a LOW flood risk around the lower reaches of slower responding rivers on Wednesday, but at this stage many other areas have a VERY LOW flood risk for Wednesday, with rainfall details uncertain.