Flooding in Westgate Gardens, Canterbury, as the River Stour bursts its banks
Published: 13:54, 15 January 2021
Updated: 14:09, 15 January 2021
A river has burst its banks following fears heavy rainfall would lead to flooding.
The River Stour has flooded part of Westgate Gardens in Canterbury, after a substantial amount of rain has fallen in recent days.
The water is moving quickly. Video: Mark Chandler
And with the Met Office predicting more wet weather tomorrow, with a yellow warning for snow in place for Kent, it looks likely the water levels will remain high.
The flooding in Westgate Gardens comes after river campaigners told KentOnline how they fear a repeat of devastating floods seen in 2000/01 and 2014 should blockages on the Stour not be cleared.
City council engineers were out yesterday, checking defences, and clearing blockages in the Stour and smaller waterways.
A fallen tree was cleared from the Stour yesterday morning, and regular checks are being made to see if anything else needs removing from the water.
Meanwhile, waste contractor Serco delivered sandbags to properties most at risk of imminent flooding yesterday.
The river's peak flow is set to be at its highest late this afternoon and into the early evening.
Flood warnings are currently in place along the Stour.
Those in an emergency are urged to call the council's out-of-office hours contact 01227 781879 for the on-call flood duty engineer.
Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury
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Lydia Chantler-Hicks