The Environment Agency issued alerts for a vast stretch of the river, from the flood defence in Greenwich, southeast London, to Putney, in the southwest of the city. Water levels were almost as high as the pavement in some central areas.
The agency said tide levels were falling but it expected them to remain high for the next three days.
Here's a shot of the Embankment taken just now pic.twitter.com/Tp02yPhIj6
— MPSonthewater (@MPSonthewater) February 11, 2016
The Thames Barrier, which spans 520 metres across the river, has been closed 176 times in its 34-year history. It is closed under storm surge conditions to protect London from flooding from the sea.
The Guardian reports that there are currently 27 flood warnings in place across England and Wales, as well as 77 flood alerts, prompting the public to prepare itself for possible flooding.
Flood Alerts remain in force for the #Thames as high tides continue for next couple of days https://t.co/2EGV3sq76c pic.twitter.com/fAtzNWZYVw
— Alan (@AlanBarrierEA) February 12, 2016
The Guardian has posted an amateur video of London’s Thames River overflowing its banks. The video shows water levels creeping past the Thames Barrier, which was closed on Thursday in Greenwich. See the video here.
