Homes could be at risk of flooding in the Halesworth area of Suffolk, the Environment Agency has warned. Police have also warned that draining ditches are “struggling” to clear flooded rural roads in west Suffolk.
The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning – the middle of three types of warnings – for the Chediston watercourse at Halesworth, which appears to cover large areas of the town including the Thoroughfare, the A144, and the railway line.
The warning states “flooding is expected – immediate action required”.
It says: “This message has been issued because of the persistent heavy rainfall that is currently affecting this area. This means that we are currently seeing higher river levels than normal in the area of Wissett. The forecast is for continued unsettled weather over the next couple of days. We are expecting river levels to remain responsive to further rainfall on the saturated catchment. Areas most at risk are the Thoroughfare, Chediston Street, Saxons Way and School Lane in Halesworth, and the A144 and the railway line at Halesworth. Property flooding could be seen in the next few hours. We will continue to closely monitor levels and update this message as necessary.”
A separate flood alert – the least severe warning – has been issued for The Rivers Blyth and Walpole and Chediston, Bramfield and Wrentham watercourses.
It states: “Flooding is possible – be prepared. This message has been issued because of the persistent heavy rainfall that is currently affecting this area. This means that we are currently seeing higher river levels than normal in the area of Halesworth. The forecast is for continued unsettled weather over the next couple of days. We are expecting river levels to remain responsive to further rainfall on the saturated catchment. There is the possibility of some minor flooding to low lying land, roads and riverside gardens. We will continue to closely monitor levels and update this message as necessary.”
A flood alert has also been issued for areas between Woodbridge and Framlingham. The alert, for the rivers Deben and Lark, states: “This message has been issued because of the persistent heavy rainfall that is currently affecting this area. This means that we are currently seeing higher river levels than normal in the area of Brandeston. The forecast is for continued unsettled weather over the next couple of days. We are expecting river levels to remain responsive to further rainfall on the saturated catchment. There is the possibility of some minor flooding to low lying land, roads and riverside gardens. We will continue to closely monitor levels and update this message as necessary.”
A flood alert is also in force for the Suffolk and Norfolk areas surrounding rivers Little Ouse and River Thet.
It states: “This message has been issued due to the heavy rain experienced over the last 72 hours. This means that the river levels in the Thet and Little Ouse are high and are rising. The forecast is for light rain over the next few days. We are expecting there to be no property flooding as a result of high river levels, but there could be some issues caused by surface water flooding. Locations most at risk are River Thet including Thetford and Brandon and the Little Ouse and Tributaries in Norfolk and Suffolk. The Environment Agency are monitoring river levels and have staff in the field checking for and clearing blockages.”
Meanwhile, St Edmundsbury Police said on Twitter: “Heavy rain overnight has caused areas of flooding on rural roads in and around Bury St Edmunds.
“Field draining ditches are struggling to cope causing water to flood on to roads. Please beware of aqua planing and drive to the conditions.”
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