Almost 1,000 homes in the borough of Kingston at risk of flooding will get new defences to warn the occupants of immediate flood risks, the Environment Agency (EA) have said.

Some of the properties most at risk of flooding in the borough are those lining the Tolworth Brook or “Surbiton Stream” as it’s also known, and the EA said that 973 would be included in a new flood defence scheme.

“Owners and residents of 973 properties in Southborough and Berrylands at risk of flooding will be able to receive advance warnings by phone, text and email if they sign up to the Flood Warning Service at www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings,” a spokesperson for EA said.

The news was announced amid the latest flood warnings issued by the Met Office on Wednesday (June 17) ahead of heavy thunderstorms expected in the coming days.

The new scheme was made available to residents in the area after the installation of new equipment along Tolworth Brook that will monitor water levels.

As the EA explained in a statement issued on Wednesday:

“The new equipment was installed on the trash screen belonging to Kingston Council. Working in partnership, RBK is helping the Environment Agency monitor its telemetry site, while the EA is monitoring the council’s trash screen for blockages.”

The Surbiton Stream has been subject to flooding in the past, notably in the winter of 2018 and last summer, when floodwaters reached Kingston Town Centre.

Alex Francois, Flood and Coastal Risk Management Officer, said:

“We are pleased that we have been able to make this free Flood Warning Service available.

“It lets us warn the local community when flooding is expected, giving them notice to protect themselves and their possessions.”

He added that “even if your property or business are not at direct risk of flooding from the Surbiton Stream, you can still sign up to the service to stay informed of the local situation.”

The news arrived ahead of expected heavy rains in the coming days.

The Met Office issued a Yellow Weather Warning for most parts of England on Wednesday and Thursday (June 18).

A spokesperson for the meteorological agency said Wednesday: “Slow moving heavy showers and thunderstorms may lead to disruption due to flooding. Flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.”

The organization also floated the possibility that “fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life...sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.”

The EA said that its flood defence services remained operational despite the challenges posed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic: “Our frontline teams remain fully operational and will continue to respond to any flooding incidents as needed.”