Severe flood warning issued for River Roe and River Ive at Stockdalewath

The Environment Agency sent an emergency alert to mobile phones in the Stockdalewath area at 3:18am on Thursday 23 May 2024, warning that severe flooding was happening on the River Roe and River Ive from Highbridge to Stockdalewath¹. The alert was stopped at 6:37am the same morning¹. It covered the Stockdalewath area in the parish of Dalston, and the government said surrounding areas might also have received it¹.

The alert stated that flood waters were expected to rise rapidly and that flooding was likely to cut off the area¹. It described floodwater as a threat to life and said not to enter it, warning that it may contain dangerous debris¹. It also said not to drive through or attempt to enter flood water, to follow the instructions of emergency services in the area, and to call 999 if in immediate danger¹. It noted that people should be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to see floodwater¹.

Emergency alerts are sent by the UK government to warn of life-threatening emergencies nearby, and can be written in English or Welsh². The same alert text appears in the government's list of past alerts under the date Thursday 23 May 2024². No further detail on the extent of flooding, properties affected, or casualties in the Stockdalewath area on that date has been reported in these pages.

Why it matters for households

The alert applied to households along the River Roe and River Ive between Highbridge and Stockdalewath, and the government said surrounding areas might also have received it¹. It was issued in the early hours, when the alert itself notes it is harder to see floodwater¹. The Environment Agency's wording describes a threat to life and warns that flooding is likely to cut off the area, which is relevant to anyone planning to travel through or leave it¹. The alert directs people to remain in a safe location, to stay aware of their surroundings, and to follow the instructions of emergency services in their area¹. For general background on what the three levels of flood warning mean, see Flood Alerts, Flood Warnings and Severe Flood Warnings; for how river flooding differs from other kinds, see Types of Flooding: River, Sea, Surface Water and Groundwater. The site's Checklist When a Flood Warning Is Issued and the wider Flooding: A Household Guide cover preparation and what to expect, and Home Insurance in a Flood Risk Area and Flood Re covers insurance questions after flooding.

What happens next

The alert stopped sending at 6:37am on 23 May 2024¹. No further alerts for this area on this date appear in the government's list of past alerts². The government directs people to search gov.uk/alerts or "Check for flooding" for more information¹.