Homeowners warned over flood fears (From Salisbury Journal)

Homeowners warned over flood fears

11:03am Sunday 15th November 2009

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Homeowners have been warned to be on their guard for flooding, with heavy rain falling on already saturated ground, environment officials said.

The country woke up to calmer weather following Saturday's gale-force storms, but scattered showers are expected throughout the day, with a heavier band of rain forecast for southern regions.

Tidal flooding was not as serious as was feared in the wake of the wild weather but the Environment Agency (EA) estimated that 50 properties were flooded by rising surface water.

The EA still has seven flood warnings and 47 watches in force and dealt with close to 5,000 calls to its helpline on Saturday.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "We are continuing to closely monitor rivers and sea levels and our officers are out on the ground checking flood defences and clearing trash screens.

"A lot of ground is waterlogged and rivers recharged and with more rain forecast for overnight and next week we urge people to remain vigilant.

"People can check the latest flooding situation on the Environment Agency website and sign up to our free flood warnings service at www.environment-agency.gov.uk or by calling 08459 881188."

Environment Agency workers were carrying out routine inspections of waterways, clearing drains of debris and checking flood defences.

They have used bulldozers to shore up shingle banks in Medmerry, West Sussex to protect properties from sea flooding and closed floodgates at Lymington, in Hampshire and Christchurch, Dorset.

Officers also spent Friday night and Saturday pumping surface water away at St Clears in Carmarthenshire.

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