Storm Ashley sees flood alerts issued across London in latest weather forecast

Low lying areas and roads are at risk though the Environment Agency has put out an alert for central London as well with places like the Tate Modern and Custom House being mentioned
-Credit: (Image: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)


Five flood alerts have been issued across London this morning (Monday, October 21) ahead of Storm Ashley - the first named storm of the season. They are predominantly in the West of the city, which is generally lower-lying and more prone to flooding.

However, the alerts have now unusually been called further east down the Thames as well, all the way through central London up towards Woolwich. This comes as the River Severn burst its banks over the weekend, submerging properties in Worcester, the Mirror reported.

Flood alerts generally mean that you should prepare for flooding and it is expected that low-lying lands, fields, recreation areas and car parks will be flooded as well as minor roads. However they have listed that areas like the Tate Modern Bankside are at risk in central London. Below are the five locations with flood alerts in place.

READ MORE: Watch huge torrent of water flow into River Thames as towpath collapses

Thames Barrier to Putney Bridge

The yellow highlighted areas are where flood alerts are in place
The yellow highlighted areas are where flood alerts are in place -Credit:Environment Agency

The Environment Agency believes there is a possibility of flooding for Custom House (EC3R), Narrow Street (E14), Mayflower and Angel pubs (SE16), Royal Naval College riverfront, the Almshouse Slipway at Crane Street (SE10), Bankside by the Tate Modern (SE1), and Three Mill Island (E3).

River levels are expected to be high as a result of spring tides. The forecast high tide at London Bridge is 4.45m above Ordnance Datum (average sea level) at 5pm this evening. Flooding of low-lying roads and footpaths is expected, which may exist for one to two hours either side of high tide. Flooding of properties is not expected.

The river flow at Teddington Weir is high for this time of year at 160 cubic metres per second and is steady, the agency said. They anticipate the flows to remain high for the next few days and are closely monitoring the situation here.

Putney Bridge to Teddington Weir

People paddle in a canoe in the River Thames in Richmond
The River Thames' water levels are high -Credit:BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP via Getty Images

This is one of the largest areas on alert in London. River levels are expected to be high as a result of spring tides. The forecast high tide at Richmond is 4.90m above Ordnance Datum (average sea level) 6pm this evening.

Flooding of low-lying roads and footpaths is expected, which may occur for one to two hours on either side of high tide. Flooding of properties is not expected.

There is a possibility of flooding for Putney Embankment (SW15), Chiswick Mall and Strand on the Green (W4), Thames Bank at Mortlake (SW14), Ranelagh Drive (TW1), Friars Lane and Water Lane (TW9), Riverside and The Embankment at Twickenham, and the Towpath below Teddington Lock.

Chertsey Bourne

The first alert is on the Bourne River in Chertsey where thankfully property flooding is not expected but low-lying land and roads are expected the Environment Agency said. The Free Prae Road area is due to be particularly affected. River levels will be high but steady on the Chertsey Bourne due to rainfall with further showers possible today too.

You should avoid low-lying footpaths near local watercourses, the agency said, who are monitoring the situation.

Lower River Colne and Frays River

Again, no property flooding is expected, but flooding may continue to affect low-lying land and roads, particularly in the Thorney Mill Road and Cricketfield Road areas, which may impact Riverside Mobile Home Park. River levels are high on both rivers and are expected to remain so with a small chance of rain today.

Avoid using low-lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses, and monitor local water levels and weather conditions, the agency advised.

River Thames at Trowlock Island

Resident Of Trowlock Island are no strangers to flooding
Resident Of Trowlock Island are no strangers to flooding -Credit:Jeremy Selwyn/Evening Standard via Getty Images

This is the smallest area on alert - a small island in the Thames. Currently, property flooding is not expected but river levels are forecast to rise on the River Thames as a result of high tides. The next high tide is expected at Trowlock Island at 6.30am this evening (October 21) and is forecast to reach between 4.98m and 5.12m, therefore flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected.

The high tide after this is expected at 6.15am tomorrow morning (22/10/24) and is forecast to reach between 4.73m and 4.87m, therefore flooding of low-lying land and roads is not expected from this tide. Further showers are possible but likely not significant.

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