Currently the Environment Agency’s offers free flood warning services through texts and faxes but the app, or application, is part of its programme of creating a presence in social networking.

Called Flood Alert the app uses live data from the agency to provide real time updates on flood warnings across England and Wales.

The app was developed by Halcrow and can break down the UK for specific geographical regions.

Environment Agency head of flood incident management, Craig Woolhouse, said: “One in six properties in England and Wales is at flood risk.

“This new app is part of our growing use of technology to help better prepare communities and businesses for the devastating impacts of floods.”

The application can be downloaded from the Apple ‘App Store’ and is available throughout England and Wales 24 hours a day.

Both an Android and Blackberry version will be launched in the next few months, added Mr Woolhouse.

More than five million people in England and Wales are at risk from flooding from rivers and the sea.

Luke Walsh

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