Heavy rain is forecast for Southport and the rest of Sefton throughout this week through Storm Christoph, with Sefton Council warning of “further disruption and flooding”.
The Met Office has issued Yellow Weather Warnings for rain in the Sefton area for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, with more serious Amber Weather Warnings issued for a large area including Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire.
Sefton Council Chief Executive Dwayne Johnson said: “We are expecting to have a months rainfall over three days so if you have to drive be careful. Sefton Council is trying its very best to support the highway and neighbours system with staff and machinery but we know it’s going to be a huge challenge.”
Sefton Council contractors will be out and about in Sefton this week targeting flooding hotspots, but warned that many areas are already waterlogged and that driving conditions may be hazardous.
They said: “Wider flooding is anticipated which may affect a number of roads and potentially properties.”
https://twitter.com/dwayne1901/status/1351247548640538626?s=20
The Met Office Weather Warning says that spells of prolonged and heavy rain may lead to flooding and disruption to travel in places, while homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.
Forecasters also warned of possible delays or cancellations to train and bus services while spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
A Sefton Council spokesperson said: “Heavy rainfall has been forecast across the borough this week.
“The Met office has issued a yellow warning for rainfall, saying that ‘spells of prolonged and heavy rain may lead to flooding and disruption to travel in places’.
“Our parks and green spaces are already quite wet from the wintry conditions experienced last week, which means that further disruption and flooding may be possible this week.
“Areas in our parks may become waterlogged with ‘ponding’ that may also affect pathways.
“Wider flooding is anticipated which may affect a number of roads and potentially properties. “The Council’s contactors are out and about across the Borough at hotspots to ensure that drainage systems are clear.
“The Council is already aware of flooding around Crosby Marine Lake and pumping is taking place to lower the high-water levels, but this will take some time.
“The North West Flood Hub has advice and guidance about flooding in the region, and the Environment Agency offers a flood alert and warning service.
“Important changes to how the Green Sefton parks & greenspace offer works within Sefton under lockdown measures can be found in this article: https://mysefton.co.uk/2021/01/05/parks-and-greenspaces-update-january-2021/
“Whilst the wet weather persists, please do take extra care when driving or visiting any of Sefton’s outdoor spaces.”
Under lockdown guidance you can exercise in a public outdoor space so long as you do so:
- Only with your household (or support bubble) or if you go out by yourself with one other person (in which case you should stay 2m apart and follow social distancing).
- Exercise should be limited to once per day.
- You should not travel outside your local area.
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