LONDON -- Waters rose on the iconic London banks of the River Thames on Friday as flood alerts were issued in the wake of Storm Imogen.
The Thames Barrier was closed as waters overflowed the banks in Greenwich. The big steel gates of London's flood defense system have now been closed 176 times in 34 years.
On Friday afternoon, 26 flood alerts were in place for the southeast, and most of them were for the River Thames.
Flood Alerts remain in force for the #Thames as high tides continue for next couple of days https://t.co/2EGV3sq76c pic.twitter.com/fAtzNWZYVw— Alan (@AlanBarrierEA) February 12, 2016
Police and passersby shared images on social media as the rising waters even reached central London's Embankment.
Here's a shot of the Embankment taken just now pic.twitter.com/Tp02yPhIj6— MPSonthewater (@MPSonthewater) February 11, 2016
My #toptip. When cycling along the #Thames, check the tide chart ;)... #Chiswick #London #hightide pic.twitter.com/MwPIwX39Uo— Alastair Hilton (@London_W4) February 12, 2016
Sorry kids. Our playground is designed to flood when we close the #ThamesBarrier so no playing on the swings today. pic.twitter.com/dqhhUX5OC0— Alan (@AlanBarrierEA) February 10, 2016
The Met Office expects the water levels to be high for the next three days. Some central London locations which could see flooding include the Mayflower pub in Rotherhithe, Bankside by the Tate Modern and Three Mill Island.