Wet Wednesday brings flood advice from Severn Trent

Severn Trent has issued flooding advice as rain sweeps across the region this morning, warning that rivers and streams could rise and that water could pool on roads and around homes.

The water company issued the advice at 7.10am on Wednesday 7 October, as the wet weather arrived. It said there was a possibility of flooding across the area and urged people to make sure they contact the right organisation if they have a problem.

Who to call

• Water on a road or footpath, with no sign of sewage such as toilet paper: report it to Birmingham City Council, which is responsible for highway drainage.
• A river or stream flooding: call the Environment Agency's Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
• Sewer flooding: contact Severn Trent, whose online flooding guidance can help work out where the problem is coming from.

People worried about flooding in their area can check the Government's flood warning information service for the latest alerts.

Today's weather

The Met Office expected a wet morning with plenty of cloud, brightening up in the afternoon, with a few light showers possible further west. Behind the rain, it will feel noticeably cooler in a north-westerly breeze, after highs of around 20C on Tuesday.

Thursday should start dry, sunny but chilly, before cloud and rain move in again overnight. Friday should feel milder, with rain clearing to showers.

Why dry ground floods

After a long dry spell, it might seem that the ground would soak up any rain that falls. In fact, very dry, baked soil can be slow to absorb water at first, so heavy rain can run straight off it. In towns and cities, where much of the ground is covered by roads, roofs and paving, water reaches drains quickly, and gullies blocked by fallen leaves can make surface flooding worse.

Is the drought over?

Not yet. The Environment Agency says the area that includes Birmingham remains in drought, and that sustained wet weather over the autumn and winter will be needed before reservoirs and groundwater recover. A wet day or two makes little difference to that picture.

The outlook

The Met Office's long-range forecast says it will likely be "quite changeable through the middle of October, as a series of low pressure systems run across the North Atlantic", bringing occasional bands of rain and strong winds, interspersed with brighter and more showery conditions.

"Longer drier interludes are more favoured in sheltered southern and eastern parts, but even here it is likely to be wetter than during recent weeks," it says, adding that temperatures are likely to be a little above average overall.

Driving in heavy rain

• Slow down and double the gap to the vehicle in front, as stopping distances increase on wet roads.
• Never drive through floodwater: just 30cm of moving water can float a car.
• Watch out for people on foot and on bikes, who are harder to see in spray.

The Met Office updates its forecasts several times a day on its website and app.