Home / Editor's Pick /

Revealed by satellite: Severe floods as River Severn peaks

11:30
5 January 2024

Revealed by satellite
Severe floods as River Severn peaks

Comparison of floodingSatellite imagery shows the extent of flooding in the West Midlands this week in the aftermath of Storm Henk. - © NASA

The full scope of flooding in the UK this week has been displayed by new satellite images showing severe floods along the River Severn.

Released by NASA, the imagery highlights vast flooding in rural parts of the West Midlands after the arrival of Storm Henk kickstarted a week of heavy rain.

In some places, the Severn breached its river banks in more populated areas. Including the town of Ironbridge, where flood defences helped avoid the worst-case situation but still saw properties flooded as the river reached a height of 6.35 m early Friday morning.

Flooded streetFlooded cricket groundflooded pubFlood defences
1/4
Floodwater runs through Ratcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire after a major incident was declared. - © picture alliance

In Nottinghamshire, a 'major incident' was declared on Thursday due to the River Trent reaching close to a record-high.

The village of Ratcliffe-on-Trent saw residents of a static caravan park evacuated on Thursday after flood water rendered some mobile homes inaccessible.

Property flooding

The Environment Agency say that more than 1,000 properties in England have been flooded this week.

Evacuations also took place in Hackney Wick, East London, where around 50 people were forced to take action after canal water surged into residential streets.

As of Friday morning, more than 270 flood warnings, indicating flooding is expected, remain in force across England.

Although rainfall has eased, saturated soil in many southern areas means that it only takes a little rainfall for surface flooding to develop while rivers remain at elevated levels.

Both South Western Railway and Great Western Railway report disruption to their rail networks, while surface flooding is also impacting road traffic.

To see what the weather has in store for you, check the WeatherRadar at any time.

Tips: Preparing for a floodread more
Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Weather map showing temperatures and a 4,542 mile route arrow over the Atlantic. Symbols indicate sun, clouds and precipitation from North America to Europe.
Wednesday, 17 December 2025

From Europe to America

Weather front over 4,500 miles long
People walk through muddy streets after heavy rain, alongside a rain map of Morocco.
Tuesday, 16 December 2025

New rainfall in sight

Fatalities in Moroccan floods
Shooting stars, part of the Geminid meteor shower.
Saturday, 13 December 2025

Spot a shooting star

King of meteor showers at its peak
All weather news
This might also interest you
Sunday, 24 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mammatus clouds widely spotted
plit image showing a double rainbow over a rocky shoreline on the left and sheep grazing in a green field under stormy clouds on the right.
Sunday, 2 November 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Mixed conditions on an unsettled week
Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Frontal system brings heavy rain
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList