Flood Alert Issued for Guildford as River Wey Breaks Banks in Town Centre

Published on: 24 Dec, 2013
Updated on: 24 Dec, 2013

Water pours over the lock gates at Millmead as the river level starts to overflow. But Christmas shoppers calmly carry on. Photo Lorimer Burn

The River Wey has overflowed into Millmead car park this morning (December 24) as water from yesterday’s continuous rainfall drains into the river basin and moves downstream. The footbridge at Millmead has now been been reported as closed (11.10).

A flood alert was finally issued for Guildford by the Environment Agency at 10.11am. Their website showed the river level as 2.64 metres at the Guildford station at 10.15am, above the upper end of the typical range of 1.10 to 2.45 metres and pushes it into the ‘flooding possible’ category. By midday the level had risen again to 3.15 metres and by 1230 3.23 metres.

Water starting to lap over into Millmead car park. Photo Lorimer Burn

The alert also includes: the East Clandon Stream at Send, Old Woking, Byfleet, and Weybridge. Alerts and warnings remain in place for the Upper Wey including Tilford, Eashing, Godalming, Shalford and Peasmarsh.

Throughout the south-east region there are 54 Flood Warnings (Flooding is expected. Immediate action required.) and 99 Flood Alerts (Flooding is possible. Be prepared.)

Flood water pouring over the bank of the lock to the lower level of the natural river course at Millmead. Photo Lorimer Burn

Guildford Dragon NEWS reader Lorimer Burn, who reported the Millmead flooding said: “It’s quite dramatic down here. I am surprised that a flood alert was not issued until now. It seems unbelievable.”

Meanwhile another storm casualty was a tree in Lawn Road, Guildford that runs from the Portsmouth Road to Bury Fields. The tree had fallen across the road which was only passable if vehicles mounted the pavement.

Tree down in Lawn Road.

The road was almost blocked by the fallen Leylandii and only passable if vehicles mounted the pavement.

The flooded towpath at Woodbridge.

The towpath of the River Wey at Woodbridge (near Currys / PC World and B&Q) was flooded this morning, December 24, as this photo shows that was taken at 8.42am.

More pictures of the flooding at Millmead have been sent in by Lawn Road resident Eddie Ward.

A pedestrian is advised to take another route and avoid the flood in Millmead.

Parking in Millmead this morning was a big mistake – huge!

PCSOs tape off Millmead car park. It’s a real “traffic island”.

And here’s why the Millmead footbridge has been closed.

Of course, if you are a duck your luck is in!

This story will be updated as further reports are received. Please check back.

If you have flooding or storm damage reports or pictures from anywhere in Guildford Borough please send them to mgilesdragon@gmail.com.

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