Six Flood Alerts Issued for London as Thames Threatens to Breach Banks
Six Flood Alerts Issued for London This Afternoon

Six Flood Alerts Issued for London as Thames Threatens to Breach Banks

While today's weather appears to be clearing up across the capital, the Met Office has issued multiple flood alerts for areas along the River Thames this afternoon, warning residents to avoid affected zones where possible.

Immediate Threat to Specific Locations

Forecasters believe water will break the banks at Putney Bridge and the Teddington Weir in Richmond upon Thames between 2.30pm and 4.30pm during high tide. This is likely to affect several specific areas including:

  • Putney Embankment (SW15)
  • Chiswick Mall and Strand on the Green (W4)
  • Thames Bank at Mortlake (SW14)
  • Ranelagh Drive (TW1)
  • Friars Lane and Water Lane (TW9)
  • Riverside and The Embankment at Twickenham
  • The towpath below Teddington Lock

Fortunately, nearby residential properties are not expected to flood, potentially saving homeowners from substantial repair costs. However, anyone living in or traveling through these areas is urged to exercise extreme caution when walking, cycling, or driving through water and to avoid the riverside where possible.

Broader Flood Warning Across the Region

The alert follows days of persistent heavy rain battering the capital, with meteorologists predicting a potential two-week washout beginning later this week. Rising tides combined with high river flows could also cause problems at Trowlock Island, Thames Ditton Island, and Hampton this afternoon and again in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

These conditions will primarily affect low-lying roads situated near the river. Additional flooding is expected across Sunbury in Surrey, as well as along the Lower River Cole and Frays River in Hertfordshire today, with river levels likely to remain elevated over the coming days.

Comprehensive Alert Coverage

These flood alerts also cover extensive stretches of the River Thames from Shepperton to West and East Molesey, including Hamm Court and Walton-on-Thames. The warning extends to several other locations:

  • Denham Colne
  • Willow Bank
  • Fountains Mill
  • Clisbys Bridge
  • West Drayton
  • Yiewsley
  • Poyle Trading Estate
  • Stanwell Mill
  • Staines Moor
  • Pound Mill

Timeline of Current Flood Alerts

The Environment Agency has issued the following specific alerts for today and tomorrow:

  1. February 4: Putney Bridge to Teddington Weir, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
  2. February 4/5: Trowlock Island, 4.30pm and 4.45am respectively
  3. February 4/5: River Thames from Hampton and Thames Ditton to Teddington, 4.30pm and 4.45am respectively
  4. February 4/5: Thames Ditton Island, 4.45pm and 5am respectively
  5. February 4: Lower River Colne and Frays River
  6. February 4: River Thames from Shepperton to Molesey

Meteorologists are predicting that intermittent showers will continue to fall across much of the United Kingdom until at least the beginning of March, maintaining the risk of further flooding incidents. Residents are advised to stay informed about local conditions and take appropriate precautions during this period of heightened flood risk.