By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter
The River Trent’s water levels are still rising following heavy snow and rain – but should peak by the middle of Wednesday, officials say.
Nottinghamshire has experienced flooding across the county after the region was hit by melting snow and heavy rain over the weekend, with downpours continuing into Monday (January 6).
On Sunday more than half of the average rainfall for January fell in the night, delivering 44mm of rain- January’s average is 75mm.
A yellow weather warning was put in place and there were 19 flood warnings on Monday.
The Environment Agency has forecast no more rain for the next several days, potentially leading into next week.
However, there is anticipated to be a delayed impact on the River Trent in Nottinghamshire, with the flooding in Leicestershire and Derbyshire, along with melting snow, feeding into the river.
The Environment Agency is predicting raised water levels in the Trent, particularly around the Trent Bridge area to peak around the middle of Wednesday (January 8).
Nottinghamshire County Councillor Neil Clarke (Con), Cabinet member for Transport and Environment said: “It’s not rising very quickly, it is slowly, but all that water will continue down the River Soar (in Leicestershire) into the Trent which is why there’s a delay in this area.”
Cllr Clarke said there is “no major threat at present” for those living in homes near the river in the area but the council is asking people to “be aware and be cautious” over the next few days.
Between 20 and 30 homes have been evacuated in the county since the adverse weather hit, including homes in the Trent Valley and a few near Retford.
Cllr Clarke added the council is currently on “standby” for potential evacuations should the need arise but says the Environment Agency is not predicting the River Trent’s level will reach the same height it did a year ago – when Storm Henk caused devastation to more than 350 homes and businesses across Nottinghamshire.
The County Council has already deployed street sweepers to clear the roads of debris and silt from the flooding and is working with district and borough councils and emergency services.
The council will also continue to grit the roads as long as the temperature stays below freezing.
Cllr Clarke added: “If there is water approaching people’s house, contact the councils and we can get sandbags out to them to help stop the water.
“We don’t want to scare people, it has to be a measured warning and we are asking people to be aware and be cautious.”
Link to the County Council’s webpage for updated road closures due to flooding: https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/emergencies-and-disruption/current-disruption?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn&utm_source=Facebook
