Torrential rain is currently falling across Wales, with levels on the River Wye starting to respond upstream at Pant Mawr, Rhayader and Builth Wells.
Further heavy rain throughout the day will lead to flooding on rivers across Herefordshire but the main focus is on the River Wye, where the Environment Agency have decided to install the Hereford flood barriers due to concerns that the river level in the city could reach similar levels to those reached back in October 2019 when the Wye reached 5.7 metres at Old Bridge.
Riverside paths are expected to flood in the city from later this evening and a peak level is expected later tomorrow, with the Environment Agency currently predicting that it will reach between 5.4 metres and 5.7 metres at Old Bridge.
Flooding is also expected to affect areas such as Hay-on-Wye, the A438 at Letton and Holme Lacy Road in Hereford.
This is what the Environment Agency have said in their latest update:
River levels are rising at the Hay-On-Wye river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, the risk of flooding remains. We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads along the River Wye from Hay on Wye to Ross on Wye. Other locations that may be affected include the A438, Byford, Bredwardine and Hereford. Predicted peaks:- Hay on Wye 3.8m to 4.2m Saturday morning, 19/12/2020, Bredwardine 6.2m to 6.7m Saturday morning 19/12/2020, Belmont 6.2m to 6.7m Saturday afternoon 19/12/2020, Old Wye Bridge 5.4m to 5.7m Saturday afternoon 19/12/2020, Mordiford 5.5m to 6.0m Saturday afternoon 19/12/2020, and Ross on Wye 5.2m to 5.8m Saturday afternoon 19/12/2020. Further heavy rainfall is forecast today and this is expected to increase levels further. The flood barriers in Hereford are being deployed today. We are closely monitoring the situation. This message will be updated by 17:00 on 18/12/2020, or as the situation changes.
Flood Alerts are also in force on the River Lugg, River Arrow and Upper Teme.
We will update you again this afternoon.
