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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2015/dec/26/severe-flood-warnings-in-the-north-prompt-boxing-day-evacuation-fears
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| Severe flooding in Britain prompts Boxing Day evacuations – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.01pm GMT12:01 | |
| There is also flooding in Anglesey, Wales, according to tweets posted this morning. I’m trying to contact people in the area to find out more about what’s happening there. | |
| @AngleseyScMedia @Llangefni River Cefni by Asda pic.twitter.com/GOKJzjnuIj | |
| If you're going to or from Anglesey today...DON'T pic.twitter.com/WTj8q8ynXl | |
| Flooding in Anglesey. Why is North Wales never mentioned in news coverage? @BBCNews pic.twitter.com/K5p4bt4Ox5 | |
| https://twitter.com/angleseyevents/status/676093066097332224 | |
| 11.46am GMT11:46 | |
| As many as 600 people have so far been evacuated from their homes in Whalley, Ribchester and St Michaels, where severe flood warnings are in place. | |
| All three locations are already flooded. | |
| The river at St Michaels at the moment. Please avoid the area as we may have to close the road. pic.twitter.com/M9v7kFnlf8 | |
| The force has issued this statement on its website: | |
| Residents in Whalley and Ribchester are being taken to a rest centre at Longridge Civic Hall, Willow Park, Calder Avenue, Longridge, with residents in St Michaels urged to take shelter at the Grapes Pub in Garstang Road. People are advised to stay away from these areas so that they don’t impede evacuations. | |
| Lancashire is currently experiencing the rainfall expected to fall in Cumbria and potentially a further 50mm to 80 mm may fall in the next six to nine hours as the band of rain currently over Lancashire moves northwards in the afternoon before returning in the early to mid-evening. | |
| Other areas in the county are experiencing more localised flooding. | |
| Tim Harbour has posted this video to Instagram of the scene in St Michaels. It’s unclear where the river begins and ends. | |
| Lancashire fire and rescue are advising people to stay off the roads, with heavy rain predicted to continue battering the county for rest of the afternoon. | |
| #lancsert the rain is awful across the whole county. Don't drive if you don't need to please https://t.co/UXYyFG4nAr | |
| Updated at 11.49am GMT | |
| 11.35am GMT11:35 | |
| Met Office red warning extended to Yorkshire and the Humber | |
| A second red weather warning - danger to life - has been issued by the Met Office, with residents of Yorkshire now also being told to take action to avoid floods. | |
| Todmorden in West Yorkshire has been hit by flooding and the waters are continuing to rise as the rain keeps falling. Resident Lee Fraser, who lives on Halifax Road, told PA the road between the town and the neighbouring village of Hebden is submerged. | |
| The agency quoted him as saying: | |
| It’s getting worse and worse, it’s been raining really heavily since last night. The siren went off at about 7am this morning and 10 minutes later everything started flooding. | |
| A lot of people are moving their stuff upstairs in their houses and the police came and closed the roads. It’s absolutely tipping it down, so it’s only going to get worse by the look of it. | |
| The Environment Agency has issued 87 warnings and 27 alerts for flooding in Yorkshire on Saturday and Sunday. | |
| Heavy rains are expected to affect Calderdale, Airedale (from Skipton to Leeds) and North Yorkshire including York, Pateley Bridge and Catterick. | |
| 11.16am GMT11:16 | 11.16am GMT11:16 |
| A resident of Hebden Bridge has posted a set of photos online showing the rising waters in the Yorkshire town, where flooding in some areas is said to be as much as four feet deep. | |
| Giles Perkins, 48, told the Guardian that he went into the town centre just after the flood siren sounded at 7am and watched as the waters from the River Calder rose until it broke its banks, sending torrents rushing through the streets. | Giles Perkins, 48, told the Guardian that he went into the town centre just after the flood siren sounded at 7am and watched as the waters from the River Calder rose until it broke its banks, sending torrents rushing through the streets. |
| Emergency services have been joined by volunteers from all around and small business owners are out trying to rescue as much of their stock as possible as waters continue to rise, he said. | Emergency services have been joined by volunteers from all around and small business owners are out trying to rescue as much of their stock as possible as waters continue to rise, he said. |
| “The low-lying businesses that are on Market Street, lots of those business owners have been down there trying to move their stock,” Perkins said. “I’ve just been inside own of those shops and it’s been breached totally.” | “The low-lying businesses that are on Market Street, lots of those business owners have been down there trying to move their stock,” Perkins said. “I’ve just been inside own of those shops and it’s been breached totally.” |
| Perkins, who is now back at home, said that as he was wading through the town the waters were up to his waist. Waters had risen since then to about three or four feet, he said. Some areas are worse affected than others. | Perkins, who is now back at home, said that as he was wading through the town the waters were up to his waist. Waters had risen since then to about three or four feet, he said. Some areas are worse affected than others. |
| “There’s higher ground in between [flooded sections], so you’ve got long sections of flooding then islands, then long sections of flooding,” Perkins said. | “There’s higher ground in between [flooded sections], so you’ve got long sections of flooding then islands, then long sections of flooding,” Perkins said. |
| “It’s still raining hard. River levels are still rising, sadly,” he added. You can see more of Perkins’ pictures on his Instagram account. | “It’s still raining hard. River levels are still rising, sadly,” he added. You can see more of Perkins’ pictures on his Instagram account. |
| Updated at 11.26am GMT | |
| 10.51am GMT10:51 | 10.51am GMT10:51 |
| Scots face 16 flood warnings | Scots face 16 flood warnings |
| Sixteen flood warnings have been issued in Scotland covering the Borders and Tayside areas. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) also has three ‘be prepared’ flood alerts in place in the north east and Dumfries and Galloway. | Sixteen flood warnings have been issued in Scotland covering the Borders and Tayside areas. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) also has three ‘be prepared’ flood alerts in place in the north east and Dumfries and Galloway. |
| You can find out if your area is affected on the agency’s flood updates web page. | You can find out if your area is affected on the agency’s flood updates web page. |
| In the Outer Hebrides, CalMac ferry sailings were cancelled for the day in North Uist and South Uist. Services have also been affected on Bute and the Isle of Lewis. | In the Outer Hebrides, CalMac ferry sailings were cancelled for the day in North Uist and South Uist. Services have also been affected on Bute and the Isle of Lewis. |
| Traffic Scotland urged caution over surface water on the roads in the Fife and Lothian and Borders regions. | Traffic Scotland urged caution over surface water on the roads in the Fife and Lothian and Borders regions. |
| 10.41am GMT10:41 | 10.41am GMT10:41 |
| A number of Boxing Day football and racing events have been called off because of the floods, the Press Association reports. | A number of Boxing Day football and racing events have been called off because of the floods, the Press Association reports. |
| The match between Blackpool and Oldham was postponed, as were the games between Hartlepool and Notts County, Morecambe and Mansfield and Accrington and Carlisle. | The match between Blackpool and Oldham was postponed, as were the games between Hartlepool and Notts County, Morecambe and Mansfield and Accrington and Carlisle. |
| Officials at Wetherby cancelled both days of their Christmas fixture and this afternoon’s meeting at Limerick has also been abandoned. | Officials at Wetherby cancelled both days of their Christmas fixture and this afternoon’s meeting at Limerick has also been abandoned. |
| 10.38am GMT10:38 | 10.38am GMT10:38 |
| Torrents of water are flowing through the streets of Hebden Bridge, according to this unverified video posted to Instagram this morning. | Torrents of water are flowing through the streets of Hebden Bridge, according to this unverified video posted to Instagram this morning. |
| Instagram user Cakebikecake has posted a number of videos showing the situation in the Yorkshire town today. | Instagram user Cakebikecake has posted a number of videos showing the situation in the Yorkshire town today. |
| 10.23am GMT10:23 | 10.23am GMT10:23 |
| Residents of two northern towns evacuated | Residents of two northern towns evacuated |
| Residents in Whalley and Ribchester, Lancashire, have been told to abandon their houses when flood waters poured through the streets after torrential downpours. | Residents in Whalley and Ribchester, Lancashire, have been told to abandon their houses when flood waters poured through the streets after torrential downpours. |
| Lancashire fire and rescue, police and soldiers have been on the scene helping people leave their homes. Lancashire constabulary have confirmed an evacuation is underway. | Lancashire fire and rescue, police and soldiers have been on the scene helping people leave their homes. Lancashire constabulary have confirmed an evacuation is underway. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 10.06am GMT10:06 | 10.06am GMT10:06 |
| People are beginning to post pictures of the flood carnage on Twitter. | People are beginning to post pictures of the flood carnage on Twitter. |
| The Waterside has collapsed in Summerseat #Bury #Ramsbottom #floodaware pic.twitter.com/D1tIRlpMUy | The Waterside has collapsed in Summerseat #Bury #Ramsbottom #floodaware pic.twitter.com/D1tIRlpMUy |
| This is a photo from a friends shop in #Mytholmroyd c2015 copyrights Simon Coning pic.twitter.com/SxRLe8w0A2 | This is a photo from a friends shop in #Mytholmroyd c2015 copyrights Simon Coning pic.twitter.com/SxRLe8w0A2 |
| Situation in #HebdenBridge about half an hour ago #floodaware pic.twitter.com/QuuM1PqgXv | Situation in #HebdenBridge about half an hour ago #floodaware pic.twitter.com/QuuM1PqgXv |
| Beer barrels floating down Burnley Road, as bad (if not worse) than 2012 floods. Poor old Dusty Miller. pic.twitter.com/g7tr31jha1 | Beer barrels floating down Burnley Road, as bad (if not worse) than 2012 floods. Poor old Dusty Miller. pic.twitter.com/g7tr31jha1 |
| Saltaire Weir... almost disappeared. #floodaware #saltaire #riveraireflooding pic.twitter.com/3DgqpqMRI4 | Saltaire Weir... almost disappeared. #floodaware #saltaire #riveraireflooding pic.twitter.com/3DgqpqMRI4 |
| 10.01am GMT10:01 | 10.01am GMT10:01 |
| Met Office red warning issued for rain in Lancashire | Met Office red warning issued for rain in Lancashire |
| Forecasters have urged people in Lancashire to “take action” ahead of heavy rainfall expected to inundate the county this afternoon, with up to 100mm likely over higher ground. | Forecasters have urged people in Lancashire to “take action” ahead of heavy rainfall expected to inundate the county this afternoon, with up to 100mm likely over higher ground. |
| The Met Office has issued a red warning - it’s most-serious advisory - for the region, where a band of rain will slowly sweep across bringing heavy rainfall for a six to nine hour period. | The Met Office has issued a red warning - it’s most-serious advisory - for the region, where a band of rain will slowly sweep across bringing heavy rainfall for a six to nine hour period. |
| The ground is already saturated and further rainfall is expected to lead to widespread river flooding and surface water flooding, forecasters warn. | The ground is already saturated and further rainfall is expected to lead to widespread river flooding and surface water flooding, forecasters warn. |
| Anyone in an area affected by a red warning should take action to keep themselves and others safe, according to Met Office guidelines. “Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely. You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities,” the agency says. | Anyone in an area affected by a red warning should take action to keep themselves and others safe, according to Met Office guidelines. “Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely. You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities,” the agency says. |
| Amber and Yellow warnings - calling for people to “be prepared” and “be aware”, respectively - are also in place for other parts of Lancashire, Cumbria, northwest Wales and parts of Scotland. | Amber and Yellow warnings - calling for people to “be prepared” and “be aware”, respectively - are also in place for other parts of Lancashire, Cumbria, northwest Wales and parts of Scotland. |
| Paul Mustow, deputy director in flood and coastal risk management at the Met Office’s flood forecasting centre, said: | Paul Mustow, deputy director in flood and coastal risk management at the Met Office’s flood forecasting centre, said: |
| Our thoughts are with all those who have had their homes and businesses flooded, some several times, in the run up to Christmas. Our operational teams are working throughout the Christmas period to take action to reduce the potential impacts of flooding and support those communities affected. | Our thoughts are with all those who have had their homes and businesses flooded, some several times, in the run up to Christmas. Our operational teams are working throughout the Christmas period to take action to reduce the potential impacts of flooding and support those communities affected. |
| With further rain forecast, we urge people to remain vigilant and check their or follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates. We also want to remind people never to drive through flood water: just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car. | With further rain forecast, we urge people to remain vigilant and check their or follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates. We also want to remind people never to drive through flood water: just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car. |
| 9.43am GMT09:43 | 9.43am GMT09:43 |
| The Twitter feed for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire and North East has posted this map, showing the concentration of alerts and warnings in the region. | The Twitter feed for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire and North East has posted this map, showing the concentration of alerts and warnings in the region. |
| There's more rain across Yorks and the North East - check your flood risk here https://t.co/MDa2PJFyFM #floodaware pic.twitter.com/zfOqFq1qle | There's more rain across Yorks and the North East - check your flood risk here https://t.co/MDa2PJFyFM #floodaware pic.twitter.com/zfOqFq1qle |
| To check if your area is subject to a flood warning you can look at this environment agency web service: flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/map | To check if your area is subject to a flood warning you can look at this environment agency web service: flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/map |
| 9.26am GMT09:26 | 9.26am GMT09:26 |
| Flood warnings across the north and Wales | Flood warnings across the north and Wales |
| Householders in the north of England have been warned to take their Christmas presents and other valuables upstairs as the Environment Agency issued 149 flood warnings and 123 alerts. | Householders in the north of England have been warned to take their Christmas presents and other valuables upstairs as the Environment Agency issued 149 flood warnings and 123 alerts. |
| The warnings, which mainly cover the north west, the north east and Wales, come as forecasters said up to 120mm (4.7ins) of rain could fall in some areas already saturated by winter storms. | The warnings, which mainly cover the north west, the north east and Wales, come as forecasters said up to 120mm (4.7ins) of rain could fall in some areas already saturated by winter storms. |
| Seven of the warnings - among them two locations on the River Ribble at Ribchester and three locations on the River Calder at Whalley - have been classed as severe, meaning the weather conditions there pose a potentially deadly threat. | Seven of the warnings - among them two locations on the River Ribble at Ribchester and three locations on the River Calder at Whalley - have been classed as severe, meaning the weather conditions there pose a potentially deadly threat. |
| A red weather warning, the most serious alert, for heavy rain and flooding in Lancashire was issued by the Met Office this morning. As well as moving valuables, people are advised to take advice from emergency services about evacuation. | A red weather warning, the most serious alert, for heavy rain and flooding in Lancashire was issued by the Met Office this morning. As well as moving valuables, people are advised to take advice from emergency services about evacuation. |