Brits have been hit with extensive flooding after the country was battered by snow and rainstorms over the festive period with delays expected for many commuters today
Dozens of flood and danger to life warnings have been issued across the country with an evacuation alert also having been issued.
More than 200 flood warnings and one severe flood warning remains in place this morning with delays expected for commuters up and down the country. The Environment also said there are 300 flood alerts, meaning that flooding could occur.
The flood warnings come after the country was battered by snow and rainstorms over the festive period. Flooding and fallen trees have caused havoc on Britain’s railways with disruptions expected in several regions of the country.
An Environment Agency severe flood warning for the River Soar at caravan parks near Barrow upon Soar was issued earlier today. The warning ordered that a large scale evacuation of the site was required.
“River levels are rising at the Pillings Lock river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt,” the warning said. “Consequently, flooding of properties is expected to continue. Areas most at risk are Proctor’s Pleasure Park near Barrow upon Soar.”
Further rainfall is expected over the next 24 hours with river levels set to remain high. Anyone who is in immediate danger is asked to call 999.
Flood warnings have been issued across Merseyside, Cheshire, the South West, South East, Midlands, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. To see if your region is affected, click here.
The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum said emergency services were on standby to monitor the West Glen River that has threatened to burst its banks putting dozens of properties at risk. The Forum said on its Facebook page on Monday: “Over the past few days, Lincolnshire has experienced severe adverse weather, leading to significant flooding across the county. A major incident has been declared, and emergency services are working tirelessly to respond to ongoing incidents.”
Flooding has ground trains to a halt in numerous parts of the country with all lines being closed between Peterborough and Leicester until midday. Trains are also unable to stop at Rotherham Central due to extensive flooding.
The A46 in Warwickshire has shut both ways between the A4177 and J15 of the M40 due to flooding and a collision on the carriageway. The A1 in Lincolnshire also remains closed due to high water levels and will remain shut until the levels have reduced further.
Met Office forecasters have issued snow and ice warnings for the South West, much of Wales, all of Northern Ireland and western and northern regions of Scotland. The Met Office forecast for today said: “A cold, icy morning with wintry showers across the country. Staying cold and breezy for many, with further sleet and snow showers, these mainly in the north and west. Plenty of sunshine in between. Feeling cold in the brisk wind.”
Adverse weather conditions have proven fatal with a man’s body having been found in a heavily-flooded part of North Yorkshire. The man’s body was located near Intake Lake in Beal, near Eggborough and Knottingley.
Major incidents were previously declared in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire after rain brought severe flooding in the Midlands on Monday. Firefighters in Leicestershire were said to have received more than 200 calls with 17 people having been rescued on Monday morning as authorities dealt with flooding.
