HEAVY rain and high river levels mean there are currently multiple flood alerts in place affecting Chester, Ellesmere Port and surrounding areas.

As of this morning (Wednesday, April 10) there are currently four separate flood alerts from the Environment Agency that are forecast to affect Cheshire West.

Whilst some of these have considerable overlap, they involve with the Dee Estuary and River Dee catchment, the River Gowy and the Mersey Estuary which are all expected to experience varied levels flooding.

On the coast, from Parkgate towards Chester, there is the possibility of spray overtopping and flooding is possible at low lying land and roads around the Dee Estuary. Though no flooding to property is expected.

Residents are advised to be careful along beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as large waves and sea spray could be dangerous.

This alert affects Parkgate, Neston and Puddington, continuing to Blacon and Saltney, Chester.

The River Dee catchment, which covers areas around Shocklach, Farndon, Handly, Lower Kinnerton, Chester and Puddington, is also covered by an alert with Townfield Lane expected to be cut off throughout.

The Environment Agency recommend to plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded. River levels are expected to remain high all day and through tomorrow.

On the other side of the peninsula, there are two further alerts, the first for the Mersey Estuary from Wirral to Widnes.

This wide-ranging alert affects several areas on both sides of the Mersey, including Liverpool, New Ferry, Woodside, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Widnes and Hale Village.

Residents are advised to avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water.

Those who live near Frodsham and River Gowy are also expected to see standing water for several days, however no fields or roads are forecasted to be flood.

The persistent rainfall has meant that river levels on the Gowy catchment, which includes the River Milton and the Hornsmill/Hool, Stanney Mill and Thornton Brooks and their tributaries, are expected to have peaked this morning.

Like the Mersey Estuary alert, residents should avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk or drive through flood water.

Further updates are expected this afternoon or as the situation changes.