AFP - April 2012 Wettest April On Record In Britain; Monday Rains = 1/3 Of Monthly Average

[hatrack]

LONDON — Parts of Britain were on "high alert" for floods again Tuesday after a night of torrential downpours as Met Office figures showed April was the wettest on record.

The Environment Agency (EA) had 33 flood warnings and 139 flood alerts -- where flooding is expected or possible respectively -- in place after overnight storms brought more than 20mm (0.8in) of rain to some areas, particularly in the south west.

That represents approaching a third of the regular monthly average of 69.6mm. Officials are keeping a close eye on water levels as flood defences hold back muddy water from over 25,000 homes, the EA said.

Many rivers were already at bursting point and more heavy rain is forecast for Tuesday. The Met Office said early figures showed that April was the wettest since records began in 1910, even before Monday night's downpours.

EDIT

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h1803oQE1Tm3GbQSoJl-1JOCV48A

[OnlinePoker]

1. Which is ironic considering a week ago the Environment Agency was saying they were in drought.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/43_Drought_management_briefing_27_April_12_final.pdf

It just goes to show that just because you get rain, it doesn't mean the conditions are improved.