PEOPLE across the Eastern region are being advised to keep a close eye on water levels after the Met office forecast heavy downpours later tonight and tomorrow.

PEOPLE across the Eastern region are being advised to keep a close eye on water levels after the Met office forecast heavy downpours later tonight and tomorrow.

The Environment Agency is concerned that rain could cause flooding from rivers and surface water flooding in the region.

The agency is monitoring the situation round the clock and will issue flood warnings for river catchments as necessary.

Flood warnings can not be issued for surface water flooding but information is available from the Environment Agency on what to do before, during and after a flood.

Harvey Bradshaw, Environment Agency Regional Director said: “The heavy downpours forecast could cause surface water flooding and flooding from rivers. Now is the time for people to check they are prepared in case of flooding and to keep a close eye on their local situation.”

The borough of Great Yarmouth was hit by heavy flooding in September 2006 when 100mm of rain fell in just six hours. Roads were turned into rivers and thousands of homes were flooded.

To find out how you can prepare for flooding, call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit the Environment Agency website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

Flood warnings are updated every 15 minutes on the Environment Agency web site at www.environment-agency.gov.uk which also contains lots of help and advice on how to prepare for flooding.