Number of homes flooded in Hertfordshire in 2020

Officers at the county council say there have been a "significant number of flood events during 2020 and into 2021", pointing to flooding in the summer and autumn months.

Over the last week, parks across Watford and Rickmansworth, including Cassiobury Park, Oxhey Park, and Rickmansworth Aquadrome flooded, while some vehicles became submerged in water in Water Lane in Watford town centre.

The Environment Agency also issued a flood warning for the River Colne for the Rickmansworth area walking people to take action to limit any damage that may be caused to flooding nside properties and in low-lying areas.

This flood warning was removed on Tuesday morning after more than three days, however a flood alert remains in place.

Figures released by the county council show 121 properties were confirmed to have flooded internally in 2020, as well as a further 247 that were flooded externally.

Already this year, they say there have been reports of flooding at a further 33 properties.

The data is contained in a report by council officers, published in advance of the meeting of the county council’s highways and environment cabinet panel on Friday (February 5).

The report states: "Hertfordshire has experienced a significant  number of flood events during 2020 and into 2021, including  summer flooding in August and Autumn/Winter flooding in the period October 2020 to January 2021.

"This flooding has been spread across the county with lots of locations experiencing flooding to property and infrastructure."

In order to investigate potential flooding locations the county council has contacted occupiers of more than 3,000 properties.

The report suggests that some residents may not confirm flooding incidents to the council, because of a perception it may impact on property values or insurance costs.

According to the report "a significant proportion" of the existing flood risk in the county is as a result of surface water, with river flooding confined to defined zones.