MONDAY MARCH 3rd 2014 UPDATE
WATER levels on the River Thames have been slowly rising this morning (Monday) along stretches in Surrey and Middlesex after heavy rain last night and high astronomical tides downstream. The Environment Agency still has in force yellow flood alerts for the Thames between Datchet and Shepperton; between Hampton and Thames Ditton to Teddington; and around Thames Ditton.
A yellow alert for groundwater flooding is still in force for Egham this morning.
The agency said yesterday afternoon (Sunday): "The River Thames from Datchet to Shepperton Green remains high and out of banks in places. River levels are now stable but they are expected to rise very slowly over the next two to three days as the river responds to recent and forecast rainfall. The Thames will remain high over the next couple of days and is sensitive to further rainfall. Flooding of low lying land and roads is expected to continue."
*Half an inch of rain fell in the Surrey hills last evening adding to the 590mm (23.5in) of rain which has fallen since December 1.
*About 50,000 sandbags were distributed around the flood-stricken area of the Thames last month.
*At 7am this morning (Monday) the Thames at Walton on Thames was 3.56m which is high. The level has risen by a few inches in the past 24 hours.
*Upstream at Penton Hook, near Laleham, the level at 7am was 0.42m, compared to 0.25m at the same time on Sunday morning.
*At Kingston, the level this morning at 7am was 4.84m. The level has been high at times due to astronomical tides combined with all the recent rain.
*The A22 between Purley and Whyteleafe in Surrey is still closed because of flooding. Last week 70 soldiers helped build aqua dams in the Surrey hills at Woldingham in a bid to hold back the water flowing towards homes and businesses in Whyteleafe, Kenley and Purley.
*The Met Office has a severe weather warning for Surrey today for heavy thundery showers in places, with possible hail.
*Drivers on the A3 were warned of flooding on the A3 at New Malden, near Beverley Way last night.
