Flood warnings issued for Leamington Spa

Flood warnings have been issued for Leamington Spa following unprecedented rainfall across Britain.

The Environment Agency issued a red flood warning which means that “flooding is expected” and “immediate action [is] required”.

Warwick District Council state on their website that flooding is the biggest threat to Leamington.

“With the impact of global warming, it is generally agreed that the greatest risk to the area of Warwick District areas is the fluvial flooding of the rivers Leam and Avon.”

Water on the River Leam peaked at 2.47 metres on Sunday 5 January at 4:13am.

The Environment Agency warns of a “continued risk” of flooding in Leamington during the week as the unsettled weather continues.

Leamington Spa has suffered extensive flooding in recent years, with floods in April 1998 and July 2007.

Nicole Davis, a third-year Film and Literature student says she is not too concerned: “The river levels look very high, but they are not quite as bad as back home in Surrey.”

Britain is being battered by a series of large Atlantic weather fronts which have been cited as the worst for two decades.

Students in Aberystwyth, Wales, were forced to leave their accommodation because of the coastal flooding.

David Cameron said the government had increased spending on flood defences despite overall budget cuts of 15 percent.

He conceded that lessons needed to be learnt and he would “make sure they are learned” in future situations.