17吃瓜

Dr Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology at the 17吃瓜, comments after Storm Benjamin hits the UK. Dr Neumann is available for interview. Contact the 17吃瓜 Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk to arrange. 

Dr Jess Neumann said: “In late October, it is not unusual to see wet and windy weather affecting the UK.

“Flooding is the main risk for southern England today - both from surface water as heavy rain falls on urban land and is unable to be absorbed, and from rising river levels.

“Flood alerts across Surrey and Sussex have been preemptively issued by the Environment Agency as forecast rainfall levels have the potential to cause flooding of low-lying land later today. These include the Rivers Mole (Surrey), Uck (Sussex) and Ouse (Sussex).

“People are strongly advised not to enter or attempt to drive through any flood waters. Just 1 ft of water is enough to move a car.

“The strong winds from Storm Benjamin may cause some damage on exposed and coastal areas. However people should remain vigilant as many trees are still in full leaf, which when combined with heavy rain and wet unstable soils has the potential to uproot trees.”