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‘Lives at risk’ as River Severn set to rise to highest level in 20 years

A resident living in a flat near the River Severn in Shrewsbury looks out over flooded gardens: PA
A resident living in a flat near the River Severn in Shrewsbury looks out over flooded gardens: PA

Two “danger to life” flood warnings have been issued as the UK’s longest river approaches its highest level in 20 years following weeks of heavy rain.

More deluges are forecast over the next 48 hours, further swelling the Severn after recent downpours during Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis.

The Environment Agency said the river - which stretches from stretching from Wales to Gloucester - would peak on Tuesday evening but warned that flooding could continue until the weekend.

A total of 112 flood warnings - two of them severe, meaning lives are at risk - and 201 alerts were in force across England on Monday night, along with 12 flood warnings and 23 alerts in Wales.

Caroline Douglass, director of incident management at the EA, said: “River levels remain high and communities along the river Severn, in particular Shrewsbury, Bewdley and Ironbridge, should be ready for potential flooding.

“Groundwater levels across parts of Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Sussex are continuing to rise and will lead to more flooding impacts later in the week.

“We have seen our third weekend of exceptional river levels and stormy weather; with the effects of climate change, we need to prepare for more frequent periods of extreme weather like this.

“People need to be aware of their flood risk, sign up to flood warnings, make a flood plan and not to drive or walk through flood water.”

England has had more than 141 per cent of its average rainfall for February so far this month and gauges on 15 rivers have recorded their highest ever water levels, including the Colne, Ribble, Calder, Aire, Trent, Severn, Wye, Lugg and Derwent.

Head of the Environment Agency, Sir James Bevan, warned people living in flood-prone areas may have to abandon their homes for good.

“In a few places the scale of coastal erosion and the risk of flooding from rivers or the sea will become so big that it may be better for communities to choose to relocate out of harm’s way,” he said.

Meanwhile, Downing Street has defended prime minister Boris Johnson’s continued absence from flooded areas, with officials insisting it was important not to “distract” from the ongoing effort to deal with the problem.

Environment secretary George Eustice is leading the government’s response, which has seen 1,000 staff operating flood defences and pumps, clearing debris and reparing damaged defences every day.

Some 3.7 miles of temporary flood barriers have been erected and flood defences have protected more than 25,000 properties, according to the Environment Agency.

Mr Eustice told MPs that 1,400 homes in England had been flooded but claimed recent improvements to flood defence schemes had reduced the number affected.

The Met Office has forecast a week of widespread showery weather, while a warning for ice covering Scotland, Northern Ireland and much of northern England, remains in force until 10am on Tuesday.

Additional reporting by PA

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