In the aftermath of persistent downpours, Berkshire has been beset with flooding. The Showcase Cinema car park in Winnersh, Wokingham, has been particularly hard-hit, succumbing to the deluge as nearby river levels have dramatically risen. The Environment Agency has been on high alert since Friday, January 13, issuing multiple flood alerts across the county.
![Berkshire battling floods: Showcase Cinema in Winnersh swamped by rising waters 14](https://mywokingham.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/59aa3992-53d0-42b7-8cef-ec55ac389f82-1024x768.jpg)
Berkshire’s waterways, including the River Thames, River Loddon, and River Blackwater, have swollen beyond their banks following the weekend’s torrential rains. The River Loddon, which snakes through the east of Reading, passing through the towns of Winnersh and Shinfield, has significantly overflowed, submerging the cinema’s adjacent car park.
Immediate Flood Alert for Lower River Loddon Area
A visual map indicates the regions under threat, highlighting the potential for flooding. Residents and visitors are advised to stay vigilant, monitor the evolving situation, keep an eye on local water levels, and heed weather advisories. Authorities recommend avoiding flood-prone footpaths and preparing to enact flood plans if necessary.
The flood alert encompasses areas along the Lower River Loddon, affecting Swallowfield, Arborfield, Shinfield, Barkham, Lower Earley, Sindlesham, Winnersh, Woodley, Hurst, and Waltham-St-Lawrence. With the rivers breaching their normal levels, the warnings have been automatically disseminated due to ongoing industrial action, despite the vigilant oversight of Environment Agency Flood Warning Officers.
Severe Weather Forecasts Persist Amidst National Flood Warnings
The UK braces for more inclement weather as the Met Office extends yellow rain warnings across southern England. This alert follows the disruption caused by storm Ciaran and is scheduled for 5 am to midnight on Saturday.
As of Friday evening, the nation has been put on notice with 38 flood warnings and 171 alerts due to the combined threats of high river levels, saturated earth, and the impact of forceful waves along coastlines. Communities across the UK are urged to take precautionary measures as the extreme weather conditions show no signs of abating.