THE Environment Agency is urging residents to be aware that there are a number of flood watches in force in the Harlow and Bishop's Stortford area.
Heavy rain has been falling over the weekend which has led to an increase in river levels. Environment Agency experts believe that the risk of the present flood watches being updated to the more serious flood warning status is low, but are constantly monitoring river levels.
Current forecasts predict that rainfall will ease today (November 30) and through Tuesday, allowing river levels to recover. Further rainfall expected this week is unlikely to lead to flood warnings.
Property flooding has not been reported, and is not currently expected from rivers, but there may be a risk of surface water flooding in some areas.
Stephen Naylor, regional flood forecasting team leader, said: "The good news is that we have had the worst of the rainfall and the rain is forecast to become lighter this afternoon. Our teams are carefully monitoring rainfall and river levels, but we expect flood watches in force at the moment to be given the all clear in the next couple of days.
"However, the recent rainfall, and events in the rest of the country, serve as a stark reminder to people that they can sign up to our free Floodline Warnings Direct service by calling our Floodline on 0845 9881188, or visiting our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk."
Flood watches are in force for the following areas:
* The River Stort, Stansted Brook and their tributaries from Clavering to Hoddesdon including Stansted Mountfitchet, Bishop's Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Harlow.
* The Lower Lee Tributaries, including the Nazeing Brook, Ching Brook, Cobbins Brook, Pymmes Brook, Rags Brook, Salmons Brook, Turkey Brook, Trinity Marsh Ditch and the Small River Lee.
Details on all flood watches/warnings in force can be found at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood
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