This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35181139

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Severe flood warnings issued for Lancashire Severe flood warnings issued for Lancashire
(about 1 hour later)
Seven severe flood warnings, meaning there is a danger to life, have been issued for northern England. More than 200 flood warnings and alerts have been issued across England, Scotland and Wales - with seven severe warnings in place for Lancashire.
The Environment Agency said flooding was expected in areas around the River Ribble, River Calder and River Wyre, Lancashire, and that residents should "take action now". Heavy rain is forecast, with almost a month's rainfall likely to fall in one day in some places.
More than 200 flood warnings and alerts are in place in England and Wales. The severe flood warnings, indicating danger to life, mean Lancashire residents should "take action" to stay safe, the Environment Agency said.
It comes after the area was saturated with heavy rain, which is forecast by the Met Office to continue on Saturday. The Met Office has also issued a red weather warning for rain in the county.
The severe warnings, the Environment Agency's highest level of warning, 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. Concerns about further rainfall come after the area was hit by heavy rain over the last few days.
The Environment Agency said up to 45mm (1.7in) had fallen over the higher ground in Lancashire, with a further 70mm (2.7in) forecast to fall in the "wider area" and up to 100mm (3.9in) over higher ground.
The average rainfall for the whole of December in the North West is 145mm (5.7ins).
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain - meaning "be prepared" - for Cumbria and a large part of Lancashire on Saturday. There is also a yellow "be prepared" warning in place for parts of north Wales, northern England and central and eastern Scotland.
'Take evacuation advice'
The onset of flooding is expected between 09:00 and 12:00 GMT in the areas where the five severe flood warnings have been issued.
"The ground is saturated and rivers have already risen throughout the night," an Environment Agency spokesman said."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.""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."
More than 110 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and more than 110 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, have also been issued. 'Emergency response'
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 11 flood warnings, in the Scottish borders and Tayside areas, and five flood alerts. More than 130 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and more than 110 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, have been issued for England and Wales.
Ben Lukey of the Environment Agency said those in the affected areas needed to act. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued more than 10 flood warnings, in the Scottish borders and Tayside areas, and five flood alerts.
Meanwhile, the Met Office said 50-80mm (2in-3in) was due to fall in Lancashire between the morning and early afternoon, with more than 100mm (4in) likely to fall over higher ground over a longer time period.
The seven severe warnings, meaning flooding is expected, 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.
Ben Lukey, of the Environment Agency, said those in the affected areas needed to act now.
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.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.""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 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).
Amber rain warnings, to be prepared, have been issued for areas of North and West Yorkshire.
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.
"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.
Thousands of properties were affected when Storm Desmond brought a record amount of rainfall to Cumbria during the weekend of 5-6 December.Thousands of properties were affected when Storm Desmond brought a record amount of rainfall to Cumbria during the weekend of 5-6 December.
Four days later, further rain led to more flooding, and some parts of the county were inundated for a third time in a month on Tuesday after another deluge.Four days later, further rain led to more flooding, and some parts of the county were inundated for a third time in a month on Tuesday after another deluge.
About 40 bridges and roads remain damaged or closed in the area.About 40 bridges and roads remain damaged or closed in the area.
The Environment Agency said 85% of the country's temporary flood barriers had been sent to Cumbria.The Environment Agency said 85% of the country's temporary flood barriers had been sent to Cumbria.
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.