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Severe flood warnings issued for Lancashire Lancashire homes evacuated as severe flood warnings issued
(35 minutes later)
More than 200 flood warnings and alerts have been issued across England, Scotland and Wales - with seven severe warnings in place for Lancashire. More than 250 flood warnings and alerts have been issued across England, Scotland and Wales - with seven severe warnings in place for Lancashire.
Heavy rain is forecast, with almost a month's rainfall likely to fall in one day in some places. Homes in Ribchester and Whalley are being evacuated and people have been urged to stay away.
The severe flood warnings, indicating danger to life, mean Lancashire residents should "take action" to stay safe, the Environment Agency said. The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for rain in the county and almost a month's rainfall is likely to fall in one day in places.
The Met Office has also issued a red weather warning for rain in the county. The Environment Agency said affected residents should "take action now".
Concerns about further rainfall come after the area was hit by heavy rain over the last few days. 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."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."
'Emergency response' In other developments:
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. 'Don't visit'
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued more than 10 flood warnings, in the Scottish borders and Tayside areas, and five flood alerts. The seven severe 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.
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. Those being evacuated from their homes on Boxing Day have been told they can go to nearby Longridge Civic Hall.
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. 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."
Ben Lukey, of the Environment Agency, said those in the affected areas needed to act now. 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."
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.
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.
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 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 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.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.""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.
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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