A flood alert has been issued. Groundwater levels in East Kent remain high but stable. The Alkham Bourne and the Nailbourne between Lyminge and Littlebourne are flowing. Localised flooding will continue to affect low-lying land, roads, and water infrastructure around the Elham Valley, Alkham and Petham. Other communities in East Kent may also be impacted. Please avoid walking or driving through flood water. The forecast is dry conditions today 26th April and will be wet at times this weekend. We are monitoring the situation and are working with local authorities and communities with the deployment of temporary defences, such as Canterbury City Council’s temporary defences in Barham and the Littlebourne Flood Relief channel. Our staff are maintaining and clearing key structures. Over the next month, sunnier conditions will likely result in a reduction in aquifer recharge, leading to a fall in groundwater levels. This message will be updated by 6pm on Friday 3rd May 2024. Search 'Kent Groundwater situation' on gov.uk for more information.
To check the latest information for your area
- Visit GOV.UK to see the current flood warnings, view river and sea levels or check the 5-day flood risk forecast: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk
- Follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter.
- Tune into weather, news and travel bulletins on local television and radio.
- For access to flood warning information offline call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 using quickdial code: 217000.
What you should consider doing now
- Monitor local water levels and weather conditions.
- Get ready to act on your flood plan if you have one.
- Move your car or other vehicles to higher ground, if it is safe to do so.
- Prepare a flood kit of essential items including a torch with spare batteries, mobile phone and charger, warm clothes, home insurance documents, water, food, first aid kit and any prescription medicines or baby care items you may need.
- Check that you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies.
- In rural locations, farmers should consider moving livestock and equipment away from areas likely to flood.
- Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water - 30 cm of fast-flowing water can move a car and 6 inches can knock an adult off their feet.
- Flood water is dangerous and may be polluted. Wash your hands thoroughly if you’ve been in contact with it.
Businesses
- Keep your staff and customers informed about the situation.
For media enquiries please contact our media teams: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about/media-enquiries
# To check the latest information for your area - Visit [GOV.UK](https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk) to see the current flood warnings, view river and sea levels or check the 5-day flood risk forecast: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk - Follow [@EnvAgency](https://twitter.com/EnvAgency) and [#floodaware](https://twitter.com/hashtag/floodaware) on Twitter. - Tune into weather, news and travel bulletins on local television and radio. - For access to flood warning information offline call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 using quickdial code: 217000. # What you should consider doing now - Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. - Get ready to act on your flood plan if you have one. - Move your car or other vehicles to higher ground, if it is safe to do so. - Prepare a flood kit of essential items including a torch with spare batteries, mobile phone and charger, warm clothes, home insurance documents, water, food, first aid kit and any prescription medicines or baby care items you may need. - Check that you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies. - In rural locations, farmers should consider moving livestock and equipment away from areas likely to flood. - Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water - 30 cm of fast-flowing water can move a car and 6 inches can knock an adult off their feet. - Flood water is dangerous and may be polluted. Wash your hands thoroughly if you’ve been in contact with it. ##### Businesses - Keep your staff and customers informed about the situation. For media enquiries please contact our media teams: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about/media-enquiries
Thunderstorms are expected to move northwestwards across some parts later this evening and overnight bringing spells of heavy rain accompanied by frequent lightning with potential for 15 to 25 mm of rain to fall in 1 or 2 hours in a few places. Hail and gusty winds may also affect a few spots.
What should I do?
Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.
Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects or temporary structures are well secured. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences.
Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground.
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area. For further details see https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings
Thunderstorms are expected to move northwestwards across some parts later this evening and overnight bringing spells of heavy rain accompanied by frequent lightning with potential for 15 to 25 mm of rain to fall in 1 or 2 hours in a few places. Hail and gusty winds may also affect a few spots. What should I do? Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects or temporary structures are well secured. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground. Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area. For further details see https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings
What to expect: There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds; Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services; Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures; There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost.
Severe weather warnings are provided to meteoblue by more than 80 official agencies worldwide. meteoblue does not bear any responsibility regarding the actual content or nature of the warnings. Issues can be reported through our Feedback form and will be transmitted to the appropriate instances.
