Environment Agency issues Mersey flood warnings

Jan 21 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

Environment Agency issues Mersey flood warnings

FLOOD warnings for across Merseyside have been issued by the Met office for today.

Heavy and persistent rain is predicted between 1am and 11pm, forecasters say, with a 60% chance of disruption.

Up to three inches could fall in some areas, with around one to two inches expected locally.

A forecaster said: “Localised flooding is likely where ground is already saturated and there could be some disruption to transport networks.”

Meanwhile, a flood watch – the lowest level of alert – remains in place in the St Helens and Warrington area, and a second in the Sefton region.

An Environment Agency (EA) Floodwatch warning was issued for the River Alt catchment area at 8am on Saturday.

This is the lowest form of warning, but does mean that low-lying ground and roads were likely to be flooded on watercourses from Huyton to Hightown, including Kirkby, Fazakerley, Maghull, Formby, Aughton, Sefton and Lunt.

The EA is warning residents to “be aware, be prepared and watch out”.

A similar warning was put out in the early hours of Saturday for those in the Sankey catchment area, around St Helens and Warrington.

This included Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries.

Other locations which may be affected are around Rainford, Billinge, Prescot, Newton-le-Willows, Haydock, Ashton-in-Makerfield and Golborne.

There are now 118 flood watch alerts and 41 flood warnings in place across the country.

THE Environment Agency’s Floodline number is 0845 988 1188.