HOMES and businesses across the south can expect more flooding in the coming days, the Environment Agency has warned.

The agency says further flooding is likely as river levels continue to respond to recent rainfall, and more rain and stormy weather is expected this week.

Communities are being urged to remain vigilant to the threats of river, coastal and groundwater flooding caused by more rain falling on saturated ground and increasing already high river levels.

So far, 400 properties have been reported as flooded across the South East.

Significant groundwater flooding is expected in the coming days in Hampshire, Surrey, Kent and parts of London. Local authorities will work with utility companies to respond to these incidents.

Across the region, Environment Agency staff are working around the clock alongside partners from the emergency services, local authorities, utility companies, the armed forces and volunteers to help communities deal with, and protect themselves against, flooding.

This includes deploying demountable defences, monitoring the performance of permanent defences and making emergency repairs where necessary, deploying booms and sandbags along riverbanks, clearing river blockages, monitoring water levels and sending out flood warnings, producing mapping and detailed river forecasts and sharing information with key partners.

Caroline Douglass, North East Thames Area Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Our sincere sympathy goes out to those who have already suffered the dreadful experience of being flooding.

“Our teams will continue to work around the clock to protect lives, homes, businesses, communities and farmland over the coming days.

“This is already the wettest January England has experienced since 1766, and we are moving towards December, January and February being the wettest winter in 250 years. Looking ahead at the rest of this week, the end is not yet in sight.

“Unfortunately, we cannot prevent flooding altogether so I would urge the public to check if they live or work in a flood risk area, sign up to our receive free flood warnings if they do, and keep up to date with the latest situation on the Environment Agency website.”

Advice and guidance about flooding is available on the Environment Agency website and from Floodline on 0845 988 1188. For the latest info follow the Environment Agency on Twitter @EnvAgencySE.