Rain-soaked Britain is bracing itself for more disruption today after landslides and railway chaos overnight – while flood warnings remain in place for almost the whole of England.
The Environment Agency (EA) has posted 147 current flood warnings – for which immediate action is required – with 145 in England and two in Wales, plus a further 177 alerts for possible flooding.
They are in force across the south of the country from Cornwall to Kent, from Chester in the north-west to areas just north of Norwich and regions to the east of York, and most parts in between.
Meanwhile, several schools in Gloucester and Warwickshire remain closed today because of the poor weather conditions.
Yesterday, the wet weather caused problems on the rail network, with the British Transport Police in Birmingham tweeting: ‘We strongly advise people NOT to travel today unless it’s absolutely necessary. Due to adverse weather a vast amount of trains are being cancelled or delayed due to flooding & landslides.’
Today, the Met Office forecast ‘rain at times, but not as heavy as recent days’, before ‘further rain’ on Saturday in England and southern Scotland.
It comes as the British Army deployed to the village of Fishlake, South Yorkshire, to oversee a major operation to pump water away from hundreds of flooded homes at the rate of 2.5 tonnes per second.
A car floating down a flooded road in Hull last night. It was pictured by West Midlands Fire Service, whose members are helping their counterparts in Yorkshire with rescue work
The Environment Agency (EA) has posted 147 current flood warnings – for which immediate action is required. Pictured is a scene last night in Beverley, Hull
A three-day forecasts shows Britain covered in thick cloud, heavy rain and snow showers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Today, the Met Office forecast ‘rain at times, but not as heavy as recent days’. Pictured is a flooded road in Woodborough, Nottinghamshire, last night
The Environment Agency says it is working with emergency responders and local authorities to protect people and properties in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
Almost 50mm of rain fell near Tal-y-Maes, Wales, in the 24 hours yesterday evening, and the 49.6mm recorded in Brecknockshire was almost matched by Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, which saw 48.8mm over the same period.
The rain arrived alongside cold temperatures in some parts, as parts of the south-west of England did not manage to climb above two degrees yesterday, but floodwater remains the primary concern.
Today, only one Met Office weather warning remains in place – for ice in Northern Ireland western regions. This is set to lift at 10am.
One driver was forced to abandon their Mercedes after they tried and failed to cross a flooding hot spot in Hall Green, Birmingham last night. Police had to cordon off the area for fear other drivers may attempt to do the same.
Meanwhile, emergency services across England warned people to be careful and not drive through deep floodwater as rivers continued to swell.
Another Government Cobra meeting was held on Thursday evening to co-ordinate the ongoing relief.
The leaders of councils in Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, Barnsley, Bassetlaw and Kirklees have written to communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, warning of ‘considerable and lasting damage’ and urging more funding to help them cope with future flooding, the Guardian reported.
The Environment Agency (EA) has posted 147 current flood warnings – in which immediate action is required – with 145 in England and two in Wales, plus a further 177 alerts for possible flooding
The British Transport Police in Birmingham warned people not to travel unless ‘absolutely necessary’ due to the poor conditions
The battle to save Bentley! The Doncaster suburb of Bentley had to have the Army drafted in last night after more rainfall threatened
A police cordon had to be put in place late on Thursday after the Mercedes was abandoned last night in the middle of floods in Hall Green, Birmingham
Emergency services operating pumps in Bentley, South Yorkshire, where heavy rain continued to fall overnight
Cars in Doncaster, Yorkshire, battle through standing water covering the road as they make their way home during last night’s commute