Storm Dennis led to extensive flooding over the weekend 15-16 February. The Environment Agency (EA) has advised continued vigilance as more flooding is expected later in the week due to delayed catchment response times and further wet and windy conditions.
On Sunday 16 February, major incidents (threat to life) were declared in South Wales, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire due to flooding. There are five severe flood warnings in place around the River Teme in Worcestershire and the River Wye in Herefordshire and a record number of flood warnings have been issued across England. Significant river and surface water flooding is expected to continue with river levels remaining high especially in York, the West Midlands, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and the South of England.
One of the worst-hit areas in South Wales was the village of Nantgarw, Rhondda Cynon Taff, near Cardiff, which has seen entire streets left underwater since the early hours of Sunday morning. The storm has claimed the life of a man in his sixties who died after falling into the River Tawe near Gorsedd Park in the Ystradgynlais area of South Wales.
As of 10am on 17 February, the NFU had received reports that thousands of acres of farmland have flooded in Yorkshire and Worcestershire.
Met Office statistics
- Wind gusts of over 90mph were recorded in some parts of the country.
- A total of 156.2mm of rain fell at Crai Reservoir in Powys in the 48 hours from Friday to Sunday morning. The average monthly rainfall for February in Wales is 111.1mm.
- More than a month's worth of rain fell in 48 hours, leading to a record number of flood warnings and alerts in England (more than 600) from West Cornwall to River Tweed in the borders.
- The Met Office said rainfall records up to and including Saturday afternoon show around 351mm (13.8inches) of rain has fallen since the start of December – 6% above the normal level.
Environment Agency statistics
- Eight severe flood warnings are in place in Eardiston, Steeping, Wainfleet All Saints, Little Hereford, Ludlow and Tenbury Wells, Croft and Thorpe St Peter.
- Over the next few days the EA has stated there are further risks of significant flooding in Greyfriars and Hampton Bishop in Herefordshire, Worcester and Upton in Worcestershire and Shrewsbury in Shropshire.
- Earlier, the Ministry of Defence deployed British Army personnel to assist people in West Yorkshire areas badly hit by flooding during last weekend's Storm Ciara.
- Storm Dennis was the fourth named storm for 2019-20. Storm Ellen has not yet officially been named by the Met Office.