The Environment Agency is warning there could be a risk of flooding over the Bank Holiday weekend. We are monitoring the weather closely, paying particular attention to potentially disruptive rainfall from the early hours of Saturday and through the day.
Locally, intense slow-moving showers are possible during Saturday, and forecasters are warning that there could be a risk of localised flooding across Yorkshire.
The Environment Agency is urging local communities to remain vigilant and to plan in advance, so they know what to do if flooding occurs.
Surface water flooding happens when local drainage systems cannot cope with heavy rainfall. It is extremely difficult to predict precisely where it will happen as it depends on ground levels, the amount of rainfall, and the local drainage network.
Phil Younge, flood risk manager for the Environment Agency, said, “Once again we have more potentially heavy rain forecast for the next 24 hours. It’s important to get the message across to the public to remain vigilant, check local weather forecasts, and the Environment Agency website for information.
“People should check if they are at risk of flooding, keep an eye on the weather and check local forecasts so that they have time to react if flooding looks imminent in their neighbourhood. Our teams are out across the region, checking and clearing any blockages in watercourses.
“You can keep tabs on our three-day forecast and check the latest flood alerts and warnings for your area. You can also find tips and advice for staying safe and check our Flood Map to see if your community is at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea.”
Environment Agency officers are monitoring the situation very closely. If necessary, the Environment Agency will issue flood alerts and flood warnings. Information can be found here, www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood or you can follow us on twitter with updates via @envagencyyne for Yorkshire and the North East.
The Environment Agency’s Floodline is available on 0845 988 1188, and residents can sign up for our Flood Warnings Direct service, or to get further advice on how to prepare for flooding.