Concern over the flooding risk in the East of the UK and parts of the north of England and Scotland has continued, as local authorities warn residents to be aware of the dangers.

The Environment Agency has issued flood alerts for rivers and coastal areas in Cornwall, Devon, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Swansea. It shut tidal gates in Cornwall too in order to reduce the flood risk.
 
In recent years, the agency has undertaken various tasks to alleviate and manage flood risk and the aftermath of flooding.
 
Following the Pitt Review into the floods of 2007, cash has been invested in local authorities to assist in mitigating against flooding, but concern has consistently been raised about the skills gap, and the technical requirements for recruiting staff to roles in local authorities and the private sector.
 
A review of sustainable urban drainage systems is due out next month from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the hope guidance will mean new developments do not suffer similar issues normally associated with urban areas.
 
Staff from Cornwall will remain on stand-by to deal with any further incidents caused by the severe weather. Neighbourhood services – including highways and environment services staff – have received 326 calls, 166 of which related to surface water flooding and blocked drains.
 
Flooding severely damaged areas of Cornwall last year, with communities only just recovering before the current bad weather has set in.
 
Craig Woolhouse, head of incident management at the Environment Agency, said: ‘We urge people to sign up to river and coastal flood warnings by visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk and follow local and social media for updates.
 
‘The Environment Agency has been working around the clock to prepare for the forecast rainfall, by liaising with emergency services, clearing drains and checking flood defences.'