PEOPLE are being warned to prepare for flooding as three flood warnings and six flood alerts have been issued for Worcestershire.

Warnings have been issued for the River Severn at Court Meadow, Kempsey and Callow End and the River Avon at Wyre Piddle and Pershore and Wick.

Alerts have been issued for the River Isbourne, Badsey Brook, Honeybourne Brook, Bretforton Brook, and Littleton Brook, the River Avon at Salford Priors to Tewkesbury, Bow and Piddle Brook, Barbourne Brook, Lower Teme and the River Severn throughout the county.

Further flood warnings and alerts are expected to be issued throughout today lasting into Christmas Day with larger rivers like the River Severn possibly posing a flood risk into Boxing Day.

The Environment Agency is warning homes at risk of flooding to be prepared to take action if they receive a warning message but say they are working to manage the effects of the heavy rain and high winds that swept across England yesterday and overnight.

A spokesman for the agency said: “The Environment Agency continues to monitor the situation closely, working alongside partners including the Met Office and local authorities. Our teams are out in force checking that flood defences are in good working order, monitoring river levels and supporting local authorities who will respond to any reports of surface water flooding.

“People who are set to be away for the festive period are urged to check the flood risk for their local area and, if necessary, take steps to protect valuable items left at home. Drivers are also urged to check the latest flood updates ahead of their journey – and not to drive through floodwater.”

Severn Trent has also received a lot of calls from people looking for advice ahead of possible flooding in their areas.

Neil Clarke, customer contact manager, said areas at a high risk of flooding were being watched but unless there was a sewerage problem, customers were urged to wait to see if rain water goes down before they contact the company.

He said: “In stormy weather, the drains and sewers often have significantly more water flowing through them.  When the weather has been as dry as it has been for the past few weeks, the rain has a hard time sinking into the hard and compacted soil; so it just runs off the surface and goes directly into drains and sewers.”

With unsettled conditions for the rest of the week and the possibility of a storm for Friday, people should remain flood aware and are encouraged to check the Environment Agency website for the latest flood information, follow #floodaware on Twitter and sign up to free flood warnings by visiting  fwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/app/olr/home.