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Severe flood warnings as homes evacuated in heavy rain Homes evacuated as heavy rain causes flooding
(35 minutes later)
More than 250 flood alerts have been issued across England, Scotland and Wales - with nine severe warnings in place for Lancashire and Yorkshire. More than 250 flood alerts have been issued across England, Scotland and Wales - with 12 severe warnings in place for Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Homes in Ribchester and Whalley, Lancashire, are being evacuated and people have been urged to stay away.Homes in Ribchester and Whalley, Lancashire, are being evacuated and people have been urged to stay away.
The Met Office has issued red weather warnings for rain in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Almost a month's rainfall is likely to fall in one day in places.The Met Office has issued red weather warnings for rain in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Almost a month's rainfall is likely to fall in one day in places.
The Environment Agency said affected residents should "take action now".The Environment Agency said affected residents should "take action now".
Lancashire's seven severe flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected and there is a danger to life - are for two locations on the River Ribble at Ribchester, three on the River Calder at Whalley, as well as for the River Wyre at St Michael's North and St Michael's South.
The five Yorkshire flood warnings are for the River Calder, Hebden Water and Walsden Water areas.
In other developments:
The two red Met Office warnings for rain have been issued for parts of Lancashire as well as for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire.The two red Met Office warnings for rain have been issued for parts of Lancashire as well as for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire.
They warn of "widespread flooding" leading to disruption, with possible danger to life.They warn of "widespread flooding" leading to disruption, with possible danger to life.
Concerns about further rainfall come after many areas were hit by heavy rain over the Christmas period.
"The ground is saturated and rivers have already risen throughout the night," an Environment Agency spokesman said.
"With this recent forecast we are concerned about areas that have already been affected over recent weeks and ask people to be prepared, move valuables and take advice from emergency services about evacuation."
In other developments:
'Don't visit''Don't visit'
The seven severe flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected and there is a danger to life - are for two locations on the River Ribble at Ribchester, three on the River Calder at Whalley, as well as for the River Wyre at St Michael's North and St Michael's South.
Those being evacuated from their homes on Boxing Day have been told they can go to nearby Longridge Civic Hall.Those being evacuated from their homes on Boxing Day have been told they can go to nearby Longridge Civic Hall.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: "A severe flood warning means danger to life. It doesn't mean 'come and have a look'! Please don't come to visit Whalley or Ribchester now."Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: "A severe flood warning means danger to life. It doesn't mean 'come and have a look'! Please don't come to visit Whalley or Ribchester now."
Ribchester resident Alan Tomlinson told the BBC the situation was "pretty grim" with many homes at risk of flooding.Ribchester resident Alan Tomlinson told the BBC the situation was "pretty grim" with many homes at risk of flooding.
"The village is under siege really," he said. "The routes to the south are cut off and the route to the north, to Longridge, is under threat.""The village is under siege really," he said. "The routes to the south are cut off and the route to the north, to Longridge, is under threat."
He said many residents had vowed to stay in their homes, moving upstairs if necessary - adding that the water in his cellar was already up to knee level.He said many residents had vowed to stay in their homes, moving upstairs if necessary - adding that the water in his cellar was already up to knee level.
BBC weather said rain would continue to affect south and east Scotland on Boxing Day, as well as northern England and north Wales, but that the worst hit areas would be north-west Wales, Lancashire and west Yorkshire.BBC weather said rain would continue to affect south and east Scotland on Boxing Day, as well as northern England and north Wales, but that the worst hit areas would be north-west Wales, Lancashire and west Yorkshire.
Capel Curig in north-west Wales had the most rainfall in the 24-hour period to 09:00 GMT Boxing Day, with a total of 168mm (6.6in).Capel Curig in north-west Wales had the most rainfall in the 24-hour period to 09:00 GMT Boxing Day, with a total of 168mm (6.6in).
Ben Lukey, of the Environment Agency, said those in the worst-affected areas needed to take action. Ben Lukey, of the Environment Agency, told BBC Breakfast: "We have been warning people to take action now to make sure that they keep themselves safe, to check out for vulnerable friends and relatives, to move valuable papers and other belongings to a safe place out of the way of water."
He told BBC Breakfast: "We have been warning people to take action now to make sure that they keep themselves safe, to check out for vulnerable friends and relatives, to move valuable papers and other belongings to a safe place out of the way of water.
"During the day today, we're expecting Lancashire Council to pull together an emergency response centre and the emergency services will be advising people if they need to move out of harm's way."
Helpline for residentsHelpline for residents
Met Office forecasters say up to 120mm (5in) of rain could fall over the most exposed sites in northern England on Boxing Day - with the average rainfall for the whole of December in the North West being 145mm (6in). Met Office forecasters said up to 120mm (5in) of rain could fall over the most exposed sites in northern England on Boxing Day - with the average rainfall for the whole of December in the North West being 145mm (6in).
Floods Minister Rory Stewart told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We're looking potentially again today at maybe a month's rainfall coming in a day. That's falling on ground that's very saturated. Floods Minister Rory Stewart told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "As the rain falls, the rivers respond very quickly. Certainly what we've seen is rainfall levels that nobody's ever seen before."
"As the rain falls, the rivers respond very quickly. Certainly what we've seen is rainfall levels that nobody's ever seen before."
On Christmas Day the Army was called in to support efforts to protect parts of Cumbria against further flooding and the government's emergency Cobra committee met to discuss the situation.On Christmas Day the Army was called in to support efforts to protect parts of Cumbria against further flooding and the government's emergency Cobra committee met to discuss the situation.
People can access information from council websites and the Environment Agency Floodline.People can access information from council websites and the Environment Agency Floodline.
The agency is also operating a phone line - 0345 988 1188 - which will be staffed rather than offering recorded information.The agency is also operating a phone line - 0345 988 1188 - which will be staffed rather than offering recorded information.
Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? If it is safe for you to get in touch, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your pictures and experiences.Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? If it is safe for you to get in touch, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your pictures and experiences.
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