Many areas along the river Thames in Surrey and Berkshire have today had to face severe flooding after the river Thames burst its banks. 14 severe flood warnings (meaning danger to life) are in force in the Thames valley area, and police have declared a major incident.
Home owners in flooded areas in Staines are preparing to leave their homes, and some are already evacuating, as the Environment agency warn that water levels will continue to rise in the coming hours.
To make matters even worse, the Met office have Yellow weather warnings of rain in force for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the Thames area. There is also a new Amber warning of gale force winds for Wednesday into Thursday. This, sadly, is going to make the situation even worse.
Fire crews, who have been rescuing people from their homes in Staines, say they have never known waters so deep or a flood rescue operation on this scale.
Amazing pictures of the flooding in Staines have been appearing on Twitter today...
People flooded in Staines are saying flloodguards they were given by Environment Agency failed pic.twitter.com/gEoEOtKlYS
— Gareth Furby (@GarethFurby) February 10, 2014
FLOODING: Properties submerges on Chertsey Lane in #Staines pic.twitter.com/PeGv0Zyqat
— 96.4 Eagle Radio (@eagleradio) February 10, 2014
The Thames at Staines. Very high, fast flowing. Helicopter hovering overhead. pic.twitter.com/uLhcivfrrA
— peterwalker99 (@peterwalker99) February 10, 2014
This is the view of Staines Bridge this morning from the top level of Bridge Street car park. Ground floor is flooded pic.twitter.com/d4UFnpgqQc
— Surrey Roads Police (@SurreyRoadCops) February 10, 2014
The Two Rivers in Staines has effectively merged into one. #SurreyFloods pic.twitter.com/J2em2nTjLC
— Chris Caulfield (@chris_caulfield) February 10, 2014
Staines upon Thames? Naaah, Staines UNDER Thames. pic.twitter.com/iFmXtuPFdI
— Phonetix (@phonetixuk) February 10, 2014
FLOODING: Bowes Road in #Staines pic.twitter.com/6lhv9ZzFt6
— 96.4 Eagle Radio (@eagleradio) February 10, 2014
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