"River Leam could burst banks as flood alert issued in Warwickshire"

[dutchman]

Storm Christoph has brought three days of yellow weather warnings to the area



A flood alert has been issued between Southam and Marton in Warwickshire as the region is hit with a yellow weather warning.

The Met Office-named Storm Christop is set to pummel the region in the next few days, with persistent heavy rain forecast.

There are yellow weather warnings in place across Warwickshire today, and the next two days.

The government has warned roads and land adjacent to the River Leam could be submerged due to the weather.

According to the government's flood information website flooding is possible today (19 January). People are advised to avoid "low lying footpaths and bridges near local watercourses".

It is also recommended you plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers.

The government's flood warning website states: "River levels are forecast to rise at the Southam river gauge as a result of expected rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is possible in the early hours of Tuesday morning, 19/01/21.

"Flooding will affect low-lying land and roads adjacent to the River Leam between Grandborough and Leamington including Kites Hardwick, Birdingbury, Marton, Eathorpe, Hunningham and Offchurch and the River Itchen between Southam and Marton including Long Itchington.

"Rainfall is forecast overnight and tomorrow. We expect river levels to begin rising in the early hours of Tuesday morning. We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff are checking defences and actively checking river levels and the weather forecast.

"Please avoid using low lying footpaths and bridges near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded."

According to the Met Office, the weather for today will be windy throughout, with persistent heavy rain in the north of the region through the morning, turning widespread in the afternoon. Maximum temperature will be 11 °C.

[dutchman]

Rivers Leam, Blythe and Dene have all broken their banks causing flooding in nearby villages



Parts of Warwickshire have flooded following the area being battered by Storm Christoph in recent days.

The spells of consistent, heavy rain has led to water levels rising, and the county's rivers Leam, Blythe and Dene have all broken their banks.

This has meant riverside villages such as Offchurch, Eathorpe, Long Itchington, Walton and Blythe End have all suffered flooding.

The government's flood warning information for the River Leam states: "River levels are high but steady at the Eathorpe river gauge. Consequently, the risk of flooding remains. No further rainfall is forecast.

"Our incident response staff are actively checking river levels and the weather forecast."

Motorists who drive near the affected areas are advised to plan their routes to avoid low level roads close to the river.