UPDATE: WEDNESDAY MARCH 5th 2014.
Although there are still yellow flood alerts along the Thames in Surrey and Middlesex this morning, the forecast of mostly dry and mild weather for the next five days will come as a relief to the hundreds of people still clearing up their flooded homes along the Thames in surrey and Middlesex.
Today has dawned bright and frosty with blue skies. It will be dry and sunny throughout today.
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The Enviroment Agency stated yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon: "The next high tide on the River Thames at Kingston is expected at 5:30pm this afternoon (Tuesday). River levels during this high tide are forecast to reach approximately 4.85 metres. River levels on the following high tide, at 5:30am tomorrow morning(Wednesday), are forecast to reach approximately 5.53 metres.
"Both high tides are expected to flood low lying land and roads. Property flooding is currently not expected. The Thames Barrier is closing this afternoon (Tuesday) and the forecast afternoon high tide level has been adjusted to reflect this. The Thames Barrier is considering closure for the morning tide (Wednesday) to reduce the impact of this high tide and prevent property flooding. The next high tide on the River Thames at Kingston is expected at 5:30pm this afternoon (Tuesday). River levels during this high tide are forecast to reach approximately 4.85 metres. River levels on the following high tide, at 5:30am tomorrow morning (Wednesday), are forecast to reach approximately 5.53 metres. Both high tides are expected to flood low lying land and roads. Property flooding is currently not expected. The Thames Barrier is closing this afternoon (Tuesday) and the forecast afternoon high tide level has been adjusted to reflect this. The Thames Barrier is considering closure for the morning tide (Wednesday) to reduce the impact of this high tide and prevent property flooding. The weather prospects are: Tuesday will be a dry day with sunny spells. Wednesday is expected to be dry and sunny."
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There are still yellow flood alerts for the stretch of the river in Surrey and Middlesex. The phenomenal winter rains are still discharging into the river and downstream, towards Teddington and Kingston, are meeting high astronomical tides.
*At Walton on Thames at 7am this morning, the Environment Agency said that the river level was 3.48m. It is continuing high but is very stable and has been so since about midday on Monday. Early Monday, it rose a few inches due to the heavy rainfall of Sunday night.
*Twenty-four inches of rain has fallen since December 12 in the Surrey hills and no other winter in recorded history has seen so much rain.
* Most roads are now open in the areas affected by the floods.
*The A22 in Surrey between Whyteleafe and Purley is still closed due to flooding, as is the Woldingham Road, near Caterham.
