Britain is facing the prospect of morning rush hour hell today after 70 people were rescued from their homes overnight following major flooding in some parts of the country.
The Met Office has released a weather warning indicating that the extreme weather could last until 1pm today.
Lancashire Constabulary said a number of homes had been evacuated after torrential rainfall caused flooding and ‘major disruption’ overnight.
The county’s Fire and Rescue Service said it received more than 400 calls related to flooding – rescuing more than 70 people, 20 horses, a cat and a dog.
A spokesman said: ‘Some of the more serious incidents have included helping move vulnerable people out of their homes, moving animals that have been trapped and pumping water out of houses where the floodwater was affecting the electricity.’
A number of homes in Lancashire were evacuated after torrential rainfall caused flooding and ‘major disruption’ overnight
The force, along with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency and Lancaster City Council, responded jointly to more than 500 calls related to flooding and attended more than 100 incidents across the county
Lancaster and Galgate were the worst affected, with the A6 closed in both directions and 27 residents housed in two nearby pubs.
The force, along with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency and Lancaster City Council, responded jointly to more than 500 calls related to flooding and attended more than 100 incidents across the county.
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said: ‘All agencies worked really hard in a coordinated effort to minimise disruption and protect the public and we will continue to support those communities worst affected.
‘The focus is now firmly on supporting those communities which have been most affected.’
Elsewhere the Met Office issued a yellow ‘be aware’ warning for snow in the Scottish Highlands, Western Isles, Grampian, Strathclyde and Central, Tayside and Fife regions.
Between 2cm and 5cm is forecast for many parts, with up to 8 inches (20cm) on the highest ground.
A yellow warning for strong winds has also been in force across England and Wales until 7am, with forecasters warning ‘some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely’.
Flood preparations are already underway in the village of Appleby, Cumbria, where the river was rising quickly overnight
Flood sirens echoed in Cumbria as the River Eden came close to bursting its banks. There are fears the village may be evacuated overnight after more than 24 hours of solid heavy rainfall battered the area
Some residents in Cumbria built flood barriers to protect their homes from the heavy rains expected overnight
High tides and strong winds gusting at up to 50mph bring large waves against the coast of Cleveleys in Lancashire on Wednesday
Motorists face difficult conditions after flooding in Port Dundas, Glasgow, today as heavy rain hits parts of Scotland
Heavy flooding is seen at Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness on Wednesday as Cumbria faces 15 flood alerts and warnings
A lorry is toppled by high winds on the A628 Woodhead Pass, bringing the main Manchester to Sheffield road to a standstill
A man walks along the Lancashire coast in Blackpool on Wednesday as the Met Office issues severe weather warnings for Britain
A caravan and a 4X4 over turn in strong winds on the A66 in Cumbria. The road has since closed to high sided vehicles
A car has become stuck in flood water under a railway bridge in Seaton, Cumbria, following heavy rain on Wednesday
ScotRail engineers are dealing with a landslip at Wick in the Highlands, with services unable to run to or from the station
A woman’s hair is caught by the wind as she crosses Westminster Bridge late on Wednesday afternoon
On Wednesday, Ireland was badly hit as flash floods caused significant damage in Mountmellick – and Laois County Council was forced to trigger an emergency plan and evacuate residents from their homes.
Parts of Wales have also seen torrential downpours – with ‘major flooding’ affecting Llangefni. In Beaumaris, a street in the town centre was inundated with water after heavy rain caused a castle’s moat to burst.
Meanwhile, in Cumbria, flooding forced motorists to abandon their vehicles as roads and schools were closed.
Two lanes of the southbound carriageway on the M6 were closed between junctions 35 and 36 because of the bad weather there.
Some parts of the UK saw mild weather on Wednesday, with temperatures in the South West of England reaching around 16C (61F).
The mild southern air was due to a low pressure system dragging mild air from the Bay of Biscay and southern Europe. But most of Scotland struggled to get into double figures yesterday.
The Met Office has issued yellow ‘be aware’ severe weather warnings for up to four inches of rain until 9am today (left) and for winds gusting at up to 70mph until 7am today (right)
The Met Office also had a rain for Northern Ireland (left) while there is a snow warning until 1pm today (right)
Temperatures in southern England are very mild for the time of year, but it is much colder in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Blackpool North Shore in Lancashire was battered by strong waves on Wednesday as the Met Office issues severe weather warnings
Parts of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, have been affected by flooding today following heavy rainfall in the area
A landslip at Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands last night (pictured) has caused problems for ScotRail train passengers
People walk their dogs on the beach with fishermen standing on the harbour walls at Seaham in County Durham
RAC spokesman Pete Williams warned drivers that high winds would make conditions ‘challenging’.
He added: ‘The advice is for drivers to slow down and ensure they double the normal recommended two-second distance between their car and the vehicle in front.
‘Hold the steering wheel firmly and be prepared to be buffeted by gusts of wind.
Waves crash into the sea wall at Blackpool in Lancashire as the Met Office warned of winds gusting at up to 70mph
A woman plays with her dog on the beach in wintry conditions at Seaham in County Durham on Wednesday
Strong winds and large waves crash against the coast of Cleveleys, north of Blackpool in Lancashire
Traffic is blocked on the A628 between Manchester and Sheffield after a double articulated lorry was toppled by high winds
A caravan and a 4X4 overturn in strong winds on the A66 in Cumbria today as the region was hit by severe weather
The shoreline at Cleveleys on the Fylde coast of Lancashire is battered by strong waves amid severe weather conditions today
A man and woman walk along the beach at Seaham in County Durham with their dog as others go beachcombing
‘It’s wise to pack a ‘winter survival kit’ including a shovel, blanket, additional warm clothing, a torch, a flask with a warm drink and ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and consider letting your friends, family or colleagues know when you expect to arrive.
‘It may be worth delaying your journey or taking an alternative route until conditions improve and the snow ploughs have made roads fully passable. Keep tuned to the weather and travel forecasts on local radio.’