Communities in England are urged to check their flood risk and sign up to flood warnings as ground water and river levels remain high.

While the weather outlook is looking drier over the next few days, the Environment Agency is urging people to check their flood risk, sign up for flood warnings and to stay safe as ground water and river levels remain high following the recent heavy rain.

Craig Woolhouse, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

We are expecting conditions to be drier across England today and throughout the week, meaning that the risk of flooding is continuing to subside. There is potential for some rain on Thursday but the overall flood risk remains low.

Groundwater levels remain high in parts of Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and West Sussex. Local communities in these areas are asked to remain vigilant to the risks of flooding.

While river levels are falling, they remain high – we will continue to monitor river levels closely and to operate our flood defences to help keep communities safe.

We advise people to sign up for flood warnings, stay away from swollen rivers and not drive through flood water – just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

Steve Ramsdale, Met Office Chief Forecaster, said:

On New Year’s Eve, some light rain will affect parts of the South West. New Year’s Day will be largely dry but a front will bring some light rain into north-west Scotland, followed by a band of rain, some heavy, moving south-east across the UK during Thursday and Friday.