Environment Agency issued a total of 27 flood warnings and 173 flood alerts

flood

The Environment Agency has issued a total of 27 flood warnings and 173 flood alerts, as heavy rain has lashed the UK over April.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency called for calm and said the flood warnings and heavy downpours are “not unusual at this time of year”.

“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground continuing a close watch on river levels as well as checking defences and clearing any potential blockages to reduce the risk of flooding,” she added.

Places with flood warnings currently include Worcestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire which were among the areas worst hit in the extensive floods of June and July 2007 when the river Severn burst its banks.

In Tewkesbury, nearly 2000 houses were evacuated with thousands of people placed in alternative temporary accommodation.

As the Severn’s water levels have risen, the Environment Agency has set up an incident room to monitor the situation and provide concerned people with information.

The ABI estimates the 2007 floods cost £1.72bn in insurance claims.