Melting snow could cause flooding chaos (Image: Getty)
Flood warnings have been issued for 56 UK areas today as melting and ice threaten to cause chaos.
The has also issued 116 flood alerts for England, Scotland and Wales, with six areas of England as particular risk.
Heavy rain over the New Year saw significant river flooding across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Yorkshire, with the highest river levels on record being reached on the Mersey in Stockport and South Manchester.
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The warned today that local flooding from rivers is likely in parts of Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire until Thursday.
Flooding is also possible in parts of Lincolnshire today and Worcestershire and Gloucestershire until Thursday. Properties could flood and there could be travel disruption.
Local inland flooding is possible but not expected in parts of the North East of England on Wednesday and South of England on Wednesday and Thursday, and from groundwater in parts of the South of England on Friday and Saturday. Land, roads and some properties could flood and there could be travel disruption, it warned.
Stefan Laeger, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: “The recent heavy rain combined with melting snow means ongoing minor river flooding will continue in parts of the Midlands today and on Thursday, with minor river flooding expected in parts of England along major rivers today and into Thursday.
“Environment Agency teams continue to be out on the ground, operating flood defences, taking action to reduce the impact of flooding, issuing flood warnings and supporting those communities affected.
“We urge people to remain vigilant over the next few days, advise anyone travelling to be careful and urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
“People should search check my flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings, and keep up to date with the latest situation at @EnvAgency on X.”
To check if your area is at risk of flooding go to