Flood Alert Info - River Sankey catchment with St Helens and Warrington

Area Description

The Sankey catchment includes Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Other locations which may be affected are around Rainford, Billinge, Prescot, Newton-le-Willows, Haydock, Ashton-in-Makerfield and Golbourne.
This is a Flood Alert Area. For this area the highest level of flood notification that you will receive is a Flood Alert. No Flood Warnings or Severe Flood Warnings are issued for this area.
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There are no Flood Alerts currently in force for this area. See below for historical flood warnings.

Area Covered by this Flood Alert

The orange highlighted area on the map below outlines the area covered by this Flood Alert.
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Flood Alert History

Number of historic Flood Alerts that have previously been recorded for this area:
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Historical Flood Alerts for this Area

Flood Alert issued on 17 Oct 2024 09:49
River Sankey
River levels remain high, and flooding of roads and low lying land is still possible today, 17/10/2024. Flooding may affect locations near the River Sankey, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. We are closely monitoring the situation. This message will be updated this afternoon, 17/10/2024, by 05:00 PM, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 16 Oct 2024 19:47
River Sankey
Due to heavy rain, flooding of roads and low lying land is possible. Flooding may affect locations near the River Sankey, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. We are closely monitoring the situation. This message will be updated tomorrow morning, 17/10/2024, by 10:00 AM, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 1 Oct 2024 14:06
River Sankey
Rising river levels today may lead to flooding. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Sankey, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. We are closely monitoring the situation and monitoring rainfall and river levels. Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water. This message will be updated by 10:00 AM on 02/10/2024, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 30 Sep 2024 18:15
River Sankey
Rising river levels this evening may lead to flooding. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Sankey, with low lying land and roads expected to be most affected, particularly around low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. We are closely monitoring the situation and monitoring rainfall and river levels. Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water. This message will be updated by 6:00 PM on 01/10/2024, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 22 May 2024 17:18
River Sankey
River levels are high and forecast to rise further on the River Sankey due to heavy rainfall. Flood Alert thresholds are currently forecast to go through in the early hours of tomorrow morning (23/05/24). Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Sankey, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Further heavy rainfall is forecast throughout this evening and tomorrow. We will continue to monitor the forecast and river levels and re-issue this alert if necessary.


Flood Alert issued on 26 Aug 2023 06:58
River Sankey
Flooding is possible in this area. Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one. Environment Agency Flood Warning Officers set the river or tidal levels that have triggered this message. During industrial action this message has been automatically issued based on rising river or tidal levels.


Flood Alert issued on 23 Jul 2023 20:10
River Sankey
River levels are high on the River Sankey due to persistent rainfall. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Sankey, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Flooding is possible at low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries overnight and into Monday morning. Further rainfall is forecast throughout the evening. We will continue to monitor the forecast and re-issue this alert if necessary. River levels are remaining high, but the risk of flooding to low-lying land remains. Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water. This message will be updated by 11:00 AM on 24/07/2023, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 18 Jun 2023 16:18
River Sankey
This message has been issued pre-emptively ahead of localised thunderstorms expected between 17:00 and 22:00 on 18/06/23 and with further rainfall expected Monday afternoon. Small, flashier rivers and streams may respond to heavy rainfall. Given the unpredictable nature of thunderstorms, there is low confidence in the locations and impacts of rainfall at this point. Areas most at risk are low lying agricultural land, roads and footpaths close to small rivers and streams. Water levels could rise rapidly and potentially generate deep, fast flows. We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff are monitoring watercourses in the area. Please plan driving routes to avoid low-lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded and see the GOV.UK website for a 5 day flood forecast. This message will be updated as the situation changes. Follow @envagencyNW on Twitter for information for your area.


Flood Alert issued on 21 Nov 2022 16:53
River Sankey
River levels are rising on the River Sankey due to rainfall. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Sankey, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries from this evening, 21/11/2022, into the early hours of Tuesday 22/11/2022. We will continue to monitor levels closely. Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water. This message will be updated by 04:00 PM on 22/11/2022, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 20 Feb 2022 23:42
River Sankey
River levels have risen on the River Sankey due to heavy rainfall. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Sankey, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries throughout the night and into the morning on 21/02/2022. We will continue to monitor the forecast and re-issue this alert if necessary. Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water. This message will be updated by 11:00 AM on 21/02/2022, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 19 Feb 2022 18:49
River Sankey
River levels are forecast to rise on the River Sankey due to heavy rainfall. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Sankey, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries from 04:00 AM on 20/02/2022. We will continue to monitor the forecast and re-issue this alert/warning if necessary. Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water. This message will be updated by 11:00 AM on 20/02/2022, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 30 Dec 2021 14:45
River Sankey
River levels are rising on the River Sankey due to persistent rainfall. Flooding is possible at low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries from this afternoon (30/12/2021). Further rainfall is forecast this afternoon and throughout the evening. We will continue to monitor levels closely and will issue flood warnings if necessary. Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses, and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water. This message will be updated tomorrow morning (31/12/2021), or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 9 Dec 2021 12:14
River Sankey
River levels remain high on the River Sankey due to heavy rainfall overnight. Flooding is possible at low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries throughout today, Thursday 9th December 2021. Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water. This message will be updated in 8 hours, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 8 Dec 2021 21:17
River Sankey
River levels are high and continue to rise on the River Sankey due to heavy rainfall. Flooding is possible at low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries from 21:15 on 8/12/2021 Further rainfall is forecast overnight Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water. This message will be updated on 09/12/2021, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 1 Nov 2021 20:39
River Sankey
River levels are rising on the River Sankey due to heavy rainfall. Consequently, we believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries today, on Monday 1 November 2021. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels, and will issue flood warnings if necessary. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses, be aware of your surroundings, and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated tomorrow, on Tuesday 2nd November, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 28 Jan 2021 13:26
River Sankey
River levels are now starting to peak at the Causey Bridge river gauge. The levels will remain high but stable for the next few hours before slowly starting to drop this evening. We are not currently expecting to issue any Flood Warnings for rivers in the Sankey catchment. Flooding of low lying land, roads and farmland is possible today, on 28/01/21. We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue flood warnings if necessary. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated tomorrow or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 27 Jan 2021 18:24
River Sankey
River levels are forecast to rise at the Causey Bridge river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of low lying land, roads and farmland is possible tomorrow, on 28/01/21. We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. We expect river levels to peak at 10:00am tomorrow morning, on 28/01/21. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue flood warnings if necessary. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated in 8 hours, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 22 Jan 2021 11:32
River Sankey
River levels are beginning to drop. However, they will remain high for a few days. There is still a risk from surface / standing water. We are closely monitoring the situation, and we will issue further updates where necessary. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated tomorrow, Saturday 23/01/2021 or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 20 Jan 2021 08:46
River Sankey
A prolonged period of heavy rain associated with Storm Christoph will continue to cause river levels to rise at the Causey Bridge river gauge and consequently flooding of property or roads and farmland is possible. We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Further rainfall is forecast over the next 48 hours and we expect river levels to remain high until Friday. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue flood warnings if necessary. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses, be aware of your surroundings, and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated tomorrow, Thursday 21/01/2021, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 19 Jan 2021 17:22
River Sankey
A prolonged period of heavy rain associated with Storm Christoph will cause river levels to rise at the Causey Bridge river gauge and consequently flooding of property or roads and farmland is possible. We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Further rainfall is forecast over the next 48 hours and we expect river levels to remain high until Friday. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue flood warnings if necessary. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses, be aware of your surroundings, and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated tomorrow, Wednesday 20th January, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 18 Jan 2021 19:40
River Sankey
A prolonged period of heavy rain from the evening of Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th January will cause river levels to rise at the Causey Bridge river gauge and consequently flooding of property or roads and farmland is possible. We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Further rainfall is forecast over the next 48 hours. We expect river levels to remain high over the next couple of days and due to peak in the early hours of Wednesday 20th January. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue flood warnings if necessary. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses, be aware of your surroundings, and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated tomorrow, Tuesday 20th January, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 14 Jan 2021 20:14
River Sankey
River levels remain high but are falling at the Causey Bridge river gauge as a result of persistent rainfall. River levels will continue to fall throughout the evening, further rain is forecast Saturday (16/01/21). Our incident response staff are monitoring river levels and will issue further updates where necessary.


Flood Alert issued on 13 Jan 2021 19:31
River Sankey
River levels are forecast to rise at the Causey Bridge river gauge this evening, overnight into tomorrow as a result of persistent rainfall. We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Our incident response staff are monitoring river levels and will issue further updates where necessary. This message will be updated tomorrow, Thursday 14th January, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 3 Oct 2020 21:48
River Sankey
River levels have risen at the Causey Bridge river gauge as a result of persistent heavy rainfall from Storm Alex. Consequently, flooding of low lying land, roads and farmland is possible from 00:00, 04/10/20. We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. We expect river levels to remain high until 15:00 on 04/10/20. We are closely monitoring the situation. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue (further) flood warnings if necessary. Please * be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated in 8 hours, or as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 24 Feb 2020 12:27
River Sankey
River levels are rising at the Causey Bridge river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of low lying land, roads and farmland is possible today, 24/02/2020. We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue flood warnings if necessary. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 8 Nov 2019 00:46
River Sankey
River levels are beginning to peak at the Causey Bridge river gauge as a result of persistent rainfall. Rainfall is forecast to clear from around 2am on Friday morning. River levels remain above the flood warning level and will slowly start to drop in the early hours of Friday morning. We believe there is still a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring the situation. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with current advice. This message will be updated as the situation changes.


Flood Alert issued on 7 Nov 2019 16:13
River Sankey
River levels are rising at the Causey Bridge river gauge as a result of persistent rainfall. We believe there is a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around Black, Barkers, Windle and Whittle Brooks and their tributaries. Further rainfall is forecast throughout this evening and into the early hours of 08/11/2019. Our incident response staff are closely monitoring weather forecasts and river levels and will issue further flood alerts if necessary. Please be aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with the current situation. This message will be updated as the situation changes.