UK 'likely to face winter floods'

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/nov/02/uk-likely-face-winter-floods?intcmp=122


Flooding in Tewkesbury in 2008. Experts said the south-west could be at risk from high rivers this month and next. Photograph: David Levene

The UK must brace itself for a high likelihood of winter floods, the Met Office and the government's flooding watchdog have warned.

Saturated ground around the country, and high river and groundwater levels from the wet summer, will mean that much less rainfall than usual is needed to top up water levels and cause severe flooding, according to the Environment Agency.

There is now a significantly higher risk of flooding this autumn and winter, even with small amounts of rain, so households have been advised to check warnings for their area. One in six homes is at some risk of flooding.

Sarah Jackson, of the Met Office, said: "We are heading into the winter period which is traditionally the wetter period of the year in the UK. Because the ground is so wet, if we do have any prolonged heavy rainfall in any part of the country, there is going to be heightened risk of flooding."