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| Storm Frank: EA chief returns from carribbean as storm looms - live coverage | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.53pm GMT12:53 | |
| Head of Environment Agency heads back to UK from Barbados | |
| Ben Quinn | |
| The head of the Environment Agency is returning to the UK from holiday in the Caribbean amid criticism of his absence from the UK as the body battles with some of Britain’s worst flooding for decades, writes Ben Quinn. | |
| After avoiding the question of Sir Philip Diley’s whereabouts amid reports that he was at his luxury home on Barbados, the agency finally released a statement shortly before lunchtime saying that he had spent Christmas on the island with his family. | |
| “He is keeping in regular touch with the Environment Agency on its response to the current flooding, and available to participate in any necessary discussions,” it added. ”He has been in Barbados where his family are from and we’re expecting him back in the UK in the next 24 hours. | |
| The agency went on to say that Dilley had “visited the north of England recently”, when he toured Cumbria on 14 December. Dilley’s predecessor as chair of the EA, Chris Smith, faced severe criticism during flooding last year when he was accused of failing to visit flood-hit Somerset soon enough. | |
| The agency’s current chair, whose previous roles including executive chairman of Arup, took the post in September last year. He earns £100,000 a year and spends two to three days a week in his role. | |
| Shortly after becoming chair, Dilley made a promise to visit the scene of any serious flooding in the UK while he was at the helm, saying he had learned from the misfortune of Smith. | |
| “I chair the board of the agency and I agree there is a sort of figurehead position that is crucial for perception,” he said in his first interview after taking the job. | |
| The Labour MP for Rochdale, Simon Danczuk, was among those voicing criticism this week. “I think it’s fair to ask why he has not visited the north of England over the past few days to explain what the agency is doing,” he told the Telegraph. “We should draw a comparison with the previous chairman, who did try to explain what the Environment Agency does.” | |
| 12.47pm GMT12:47 | |
| Damien Gayle | |
| Damien Gayle has a weather roundup, with Yorkshire communities along the rivers Aire, Ouse and Swale expected to bear the brunt of fresh flooding. | |
| Residents northern England, south and central Scotland and Northern Ireland should brace themselves for yet more downpours and potential new flooding overnight, as Storm Frank brings another spell of wet and windy weather set to fall on already waterlogged ground. | |
| Severe flood warnings are already in place in nine areas in England, with the Environment Agency warning people in a further 42 locations to take immediate action ahead of expected flooding. | |
| Yorkshire communities along the rivers Aire, Ouse and Swale are expected to bear the brunt of the fresh flooding, according to the EA alerts. But floods are also expected in Keswick in Cumbria, Maghull in Merseyside, around the English Dee from Shocklach to Chester, and even as far south as Tewkesbury in Chester. Forty-nine flood alerts are in place up and down the country. | |
| Scotland has one flood warning, around Glen Lyon in the Perth and Kinross region, and a further 14 alerts that flooding is possible. | |
| The weather across northern England and central Scotland will get progressively worse overnight and into tomorrow. Storm Frank, blowing in from the Atlantic, will first hit Northern Ireland, where a Met Office severe weather warning of prolonged heavy rain is in place from 9pm. | |
| North-west England, which has seen some of the worst of the floods in recent days, will be hit just after midnight, with a Met Office amber warning calling for residents to “be prepared for possible disruption”. | |
| 12.36pm GMT12:36 | 12.36pm GMT12:36 |
| Henry McDonald | Henry McDonald |
| Henry McDonald in Belfast has sent this update on Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. | Henry McDonald in Belfast has sent this update on Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. |
| An ‘amber weather’ warning has been issued for parts of Northern Ireland with roads already closed due to flooding, ferries to Scotland cancelled and the police telling motorists to avoid coastal areas over the next 24 hours. | An ‘amber weather’ warning has been issued for parts of Northern Ireland with roads already closed due to flooding, ferries to Scotland cancelled and the police telling motorists to avoid coastal areas over the next 24 hours. |
| Severe gales are expected across the region from 3pm this afternoon to late into Tuesday night. Six roads in rural parts of counties Down, Tyrone and Fermanagh are closed with more expected due to flooding as Storm Frank batters the Province later. | Severe gales are expected across the region from 3pm this afternoon to late into Tuesday night. Six roads in rural parts of counties Down, Tyrone and Fermanagh are closed with more expected due to flooding as Storm Frank batters the Province later. |
| A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “Due to anticipated severe weather conditions, high winds, heavy rain and predicted high tides over the next 36 hours, motorists should be mindful of the dangers posed along all coastal roads. | A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: “Due to anticipated severe weather conditions, high winds, heavy rain and predicted high tides over the next 36 hours, motorists should be mindful of the dangers posed along all coastal roads. |
| “The areas of Newcastle Promenade, Ards Peninsula and the coastal route between Warrenpoint and Rostrevor should be treated with caution. Please observe all road closed signs.” | “The areas of Newcastle Promenade, Ards Peninsula and the coastal route between Warrenpoint and Rostrevor should be treated with caution. Please observe all road closed signs.” |
| P&O has also cancelled its sailings between Larne and Cairnryan. Passengers booked on the 1.30pm sailing have been advised to reschedule or expect disruption or possible cancellation. In anticipation of flooding sandbags have been distributed in Omagh. | P&O has also cancelled its sailings between Larne and Cairnryan. Passengers booked on the 1.30pm sailing have been advised to reschedule or expect disruption or possible cancellation. In anticipation of flooding sandbags have been distributed in Omagh. |
| Meanwhile in the Republic, the Irish Coastguard has issued a warning to all vessels to off Ireland’s south and west coast to seek shelter ahead of the stormy and windy conditions at sea this afternoon. The Irish Coastguard also urged people living in coastal areas to “stay back, stay high and stay dry” from the sea today. | Meanwhile in the Republic, the Irish Coastguard has issued a warning to all vessels to off Ireland’s south and west coast to seek shelter ahead of the stormy and windy conditions at sea this afternoon. The Irish Coastguard also urged people living in coastal areas to “stay back, stay high and stay dry” from the sea today. |
| Met Eireann, Ireland’s weather service, said there could be gusts of up to 120kms/per hour for counties Galway and Kerry today. | Met Eireann, Ireland’s weather service, said there could be gusts of up to 120kms/per hour for counties Galway and Kerry today. |
| Updated at 12.41pm GMT | Updated at 12.41pm GMT |
| 12.29pm GMT12:29 | 12.29pm GMT12:29 |
| To clamp down on the thieves - described by one victim as the “scum of the earth” - police in the Calderdale Valleys region have accepted help from motorcycle clubs to provide extra patrols, PA reports. | To clamp down on the thieves - described by one victim as the “scum of the earth” - police in the Calderdale Valleys region have accepted help from motorcycle clubs to provide extra patrols, PA reports. |
| Some thieves are preying on flood victims who have left their property out to dry, according to West Yorkshire Police in the Calderdale Valleys. | Some thieves are preying on flood victims who have left their property out to dry, according to West Yorkshire Police in the Calderdale Valleys. |
| A spokesman said: “As the clean-up of Mytholmroyd, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge continues, we are being made aware of persons attending the area and removing items which are being left outside properties either for disposal or to dry out. | A spokesman said: “As the clean-up of Mytholmroyd, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge continues, we are being made aware of persons attending the area and removing items which are being left outside properties either for disposal or to dry out. |
| “In order to ensure the safety of empty properties in the area additional police resources have been drafted in from other districts and areas. In addition to this, several motorcycle clubs from the Bradford and surrounding areas have volunteered to patrol the area as extra eyes and ears on the ground.” | “In order to ensure the safety of empty properties in the area additional police resources have been drafted in from other districts and areas. In addition to this, several motorcycle clubs from the Bradford and surrounding areas have volunteered to patrol the area as extra eyes and ears on the ground.” |
| The Cycle Factory of Todmorden, a recently-opened Calderdale bike shop, was damaged by the Boxing Day floods and now has been hit by looters. | The Cycle Factory of Todmorden, a recently-opened Calderdale bike shop, was damaged by the Boxing Day floods and now has been hit by looters. |
| In a Facebook post, a company spokesman said: “Struggling for words here we got flooded on Saturday as did a lot of people. Last night we were robbed by the scum of the earth praying on flood victims.” | In a Facebook post, a company spokesman said: “Struggling for words here we got flooded on Saturday as did a lot of people. Last night we were robbed by the scum of the earth praying on flood victims.” |
| 12.26pm GMT12:26 | 12.26pm GMT12:26 |
| Lunchtime summary | Lunchtime summary |
| 12.12pm GMT12:12 | 12.12pm GMT12:12 |
| An amber warning for flooding has been issued for Northern Ireland, where several roads have been closed due to Storm Frank. | An amber warning for flooding has been issued for Northern Ireland, where several roads have been closed due to Storm Frank. |
| Weather warnings have been updated to include Northern Ireland in the amber 'be prepared' warning for flooding. pic.twitter.com/P02Sac5HkP | Weather warnings have been updated to include Northern Ireland in the amber 'be prepared' warning for flooding. pic.twitter.com/P02Sac5HkP |
| 12.04pm GMT12:04 | 12.04pm GMT12:04 |
| A road bridge in West Yorkshire has been closed after the carriageway crumbled and collapsed after the floods, the Press Association reports. | A road bridge in West Yorkshire has been closed after the carriageway crumbled and collapsed after the floods, the Press Association reports. |
| Elland Bridge, a busy route between Elland and Brighouse, near Huddersfield, could take months to repair. The road surface on the bridge, which crosses both the River Calder and Calder and Hebble Navigation canal, is understood to have partly collapsed in the early hours of this morning. Roads onto the bridge have been closed by police and Calderdale Council said diversions are in place due to “structural concerns”. | Elland Bridge, a busy route between Elland and Brighouse, near Huddersfield, could take months to repair. The road surface on the bridge, which crosses both the River Calder and Calder and Hebble Navigation canal, is understood to have partly collapsed in the early hours of this morning. Roads onto the bridge have been closed by police and Calderdale Council said diversions are in place due to “structural concerns”. |
| 12.00pm GMT12:00 | 12.00pm GMT12:00 |
| EA remains 'committed to doing everything we can to help' | EA remains 'committed to doing everything we can to help' |
| The environment secretary, Elizabeth Truss, who chaired a Cobra meeting this morning, says Environment Agency teams are deployed in large numbers in the worst affected and most at risk communities. | The environment secretary, Elizabeth Truss, who chaired a Cobra meeting this morning, says Environment Agency teams are deployed in large numbers in the worst affected and most at risk communities. |
| “With Storm Frank forecast for this evening, we remain committed to doing everything we can to help those communities affected,” the EA said in a statement. | “With Storm Frank forecast for this evening, we remain committed to doing everything we can to help those communities affected,” the EA said in a statement. |
| In the longer term, Truss said: “I am also working to ensure that we have in place the long-term plans we need to protect our communities in the years ahead. We have capital investment confirmed for the next six years – a first for any government. We are already spending £2.3bn over that period to better protect 300,000 homes from flooding, but in light of recent events we need to be sure we have the very best possible plans in place for flood prevention and protection across the whole country. That is why we have already commenced a national flood resilience review to better protect the country from future flooding and increasingly extreme weather events. | In the longer term, Truss said: “I am also working to ensure that we have in place the long-term plans we need to protect our communities in the years ahead. We have capital investment confirmed for the next six years – a first for any government. We are already spending £2.3bn over that period to better protect 300,000 homes from flooding, but in light of recent events we need to be sure we have the very best possible plans in place for flood prevention and protection across the whole country. That is why we have already commenced a national flood resilience review to better protect the country from future flooding and increasingly extreme weather events. |
| Latest statement from Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss on flooding in the north of England. https://t.co/AQVyrYki6b #flood | Latest statement from Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss on flooding in the north of England. https://t.co/AQVyrYki6b #flood |
| Updated at 12.01pm GMT | Updated at 12.01pm GMT |
| 11.43am GMT11:43 | 11.43am GMT11:43 |
| The milk is getting through in York, despite flood disruption. | The milk is getting through in York, despite flood disruption. |
| UK - Bottles of milk delivered are left on sandbags placed as defences against flooding in York. By @JustinTallis pic.twitter.com/DbQnkFgdPs | UK - Bottles of milk delivered are left on sandbags placed as defences against flooding in York. By @JustinTallis pic.twitter.com/DbQnkFgdPs |
| 11.03am GMT11:03 | 11.03am GMT11:03 |
| Bikers are showing their community spirit. | Bikers are showing their community spirit. |
| Biker gangs are patrolling Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd this week to scare off looters at night pic.twitter.com/bvEq5EEd7B | Biker gangs are patrolling Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd this week to scare off looters at night pic.twitter.com/bvEq5EEd7B |
| 11.01am GMT11:01 | 11.01am GMT11:01 |
| Seema Kenneday, Conservative MP for South Ribble, is grateful for help from the armed forces. | Seema Kenneday, Conservative MP for South Ribble, is grateful for help from the armed forces. |
| Thank you to Army coming to help repair breach in Douglas at Croston #floodaware pic.twitter.com/Npsqrtqrad | Thank you to Army coming to help repair breach in Douglas at Croston #floodaware pic.twitter.com/Npsqrtqrad |
| 10.40am GMT10:40 | 10.40am GMT10:40 |
| Storm Frank forces road closures in Northern Ireland | Storm Frank forces road closures in Northern Ireland |
| Northern Ireland is already being affected by Storm Frank. Several roads have been closed and P&O has cancelled sailings between Larne and Cairnryan. | Northern Ireland is already being affected by Storm Frank. Several roads have been closed and P&O has cancelled sailings between Larne and Cairnryan. |
| #StormFrank latest: Roads closed across Northern Ireland due to flooding https://t.co/bEMcBnubxc | #StormFrank latest: Roads closed across Northern Ireland due to flooding https://t.co/bEMcBnubxc |
| 10.24am GMT10:24 | 10.24am GMT10:24 |
| Pumps back in operation at Foss Barrier in York | Pumps back in operation at Foss Barrier in York |
| The EA says pumps are now working at the Foss Barrier in York. The barrier prevents flood water from the River Ouse backing up the River Foss. | The EA says pumps are now working at the Foss Barrier in York. The barrier prevents flood water from the River Ouse backing up the River Foss. |
| The Foss Barrier, #York is now operational + in the closed position pumping water from the R. Foss into River Ouse pic.twitter.com/ADcmNGCfhW | The Foss Barrier, #York is now operational + in the closed position pumping water from the R. Foss into River Ouse pic.twitter.com/ADcmNGCfhW |
| 10.16am GMT10:16 | 10.16am GMT10:16 |
| In Cumbria, police are urging people to get their shopping done before Storm Frank hits. | In Cumbria, police are urging people to get their shopping done before Storm Frank hits. |
| #stormfrank get 2the shops/do any driving 2day whilst the weather is a bit calmer Once #frankie arrives please stay indoors unless urgent | #stormfrank get 2the shops/do any driving 2day whilst the weather is a bit calmer Once #frankie arrives please stay indoors unless urgent |
| 9.59am GMT09:59 | 9.59am GMT09:59 |
| The Manchester Evening News reports that every household in Rochdale affected by the flooding is to get a £500 payment from the council to help them get back on their feet. Council officers are working to identify the households affected to work out how to get the financial aid to them. The council are also speaking with the government about more substantial, longer-term payments to help residents and businesses. | The Manchester Evening News reports that every household in Rochdale affected by the flooding is to get a £500 payment from the council to help them get back on their feet. Council officers are working to identify the households affected to work out how to get the financial aid to them. The council are also speaking with the government about more substantial, longer-term payments to help residents and businesses. |
| Each household affected by flooding in Rochdale to be given £500 by council https://t.co/SIQIley4bU pic.twitter.com/zV6XIjB7n2 | Each household affected by flooding in Rochdale to be given £500 by council https://t.co/SIQIley4bU pic.twitter.com/zV6XIjB7n2 |
| 9.50am GMT09:50 | 9.50am GMT09:50 |
| Floods minister Rory Stewart was asked on the Today programme whether the government will seek EU funding for the floods. This is what he said. | Floods minister Rory Stewart was asked on the Today programme whether the government will seek EU funding for the floods. This is what he said. |
| That’s again something we’re open-minded on but to be honest about that it can be seven or eight months to process, it’s not going to be able to help people who are immediately affected. So our real priority at the moment is to get the money to the people who are affected and making sure businesses and householders get the support now. | That’s again something we’re open-minded on but to be honest about that it can be seven or eight months to process, it’s not going to be able to help people who are immediately affected. So our real priority at the moment is to get the money to the people who are affected and making sure businesses and householders get the support now. |
| 9.44am GMT09:44 | 9.44am GMT09:44 |
| 9.36am GMT09:36 | 9.36am GMT09:36 |
| Front page of Yorkshire Post. | Front page of Yorkshire Post. |
| PM facing tide of flood fury. Front page of today's @yorkshirepost. #yplive pic.twitter.com/UykAEXYRvr | PM facing tide of flood fury. Front page of today's @yorkshirepost. #yplive pic.twitter.com/UykAEXYRvr |
| 9.21am GMT09:21 | 9.21am GMT09:21 |
| Some telephone lines at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital have stopped working due to damage to the region’s phone systems from flooding in Leeds. Connection problems with the lines, including the hospital’s main number, started on Monday and are still affecting services today. | Some telephone lines at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital have stopped working due to damage to the region’s phone systems from flooding in Leeds. Connection problems with the lines, including the hospital’s main number, started on Monday and are still affecting services today. |
| NEW: Phone lines down at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital due to Leeds flooding https://t.co/0ICqblgYYB pic.twitter.com/OrOl3zyFCY | NEW: Phone lines down at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital due to Leeds flooding https://t.co/0ICqblgYYB pic.twitter.com/OrOl3zyFCY |
| 9.19am GMT09:19 | 9.19am GMT09:19 |
| More flooding expected in southern and central Scotland and Cumbria | More flooding expected in southern and central Scotland and Cumbria |
| The Met Office says Storm Frank will bring gales or severe gales to western parts of the UK from Tuesday evening into Wednesday. Gusts of 55-65 mph are likely quite widely, with gusts reaching 70-80 mph in exposed areas, particularly in north-west Scotland, and later Shetland. | The Met Office says Storm Frank will bring gales or severe gales to western parts of the UK from Tuesday evening into Wednesday. Gusts of 55-65 mph are likely quite widely, with gusts reaching 70-80 mph in exposed areas, particularly in north-west Scotland, and later Shetland. |
| Rainfall is expected to cause some disruption with persistent, heavy rain over parts of Northern Ireland, west and south-west Scotland, spreading to north-west England and Wales through Wednesday. Rainfall totals of 20-40mm are expected widely across these areas but with 80mm possible over high ground and some exposed areas in southwest Scotland and Cumbria have the potential to receive 100-150mm of rainfall. | Rainfall is expected to cause some disruption with persistent, heavy rain over parts of Northern Ireland, west and south-west Scotland, spreading to north-west England and Wales through Wednesday. Rainfall totals of 20-40mm are expected widely across these areas but with 80mm possible over high ground and some exposed areas in southwest Scotland and Cumbria have the potential to receive 100-150mm of rainfall. |
| Will Lang, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: “We expect stormy conditions to return midweek, and have already issued National Severe Weather Warnings for gales on Tuesday and heavy rain on Wednesday, as a rapidly deepening area of low pressure, Storm Frank, passes to the northwest of the UK. | Will Lang, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: “We expect stormy conditions to return midweek, and have already issued National Severe Weather Warnings for gales on Tuesday and heavy rain on Wednesday, as a rapidly deepening area of low pressure, Storm Frank, passes to the northwest of the UK. |
| “Everyone should be aware of the potential for disruption in places from further flooding and the impacts of the gales to transport, especially in areas such as southern and central Scotland and Cumbria where amber ‘be prepared’ warnings are in place. | “Everyone should be aware of the potential for disruption in places from further flooding and the impacts of the gales to transport, especially in areas such as southern and central Scotland and Cumbria where amber ‘be prepared’ warnings are in place. |
| Updated at 10.01am GMT | Updated at 10.01am GMT |
| 9.06am GMT09:06 | 9.06am GMT09:06 |
| A severe flood warning remains for York city centre and areas of Huntington, Tang Hall, Osbaldwick and Foss Islands. The EA says it is testing repairs on the Foss Barrier that were put in place during daylight hours. Levels on the River Ouse have fallen from a peak of 5.2m to 4.8m during Monday, but levels will remain high and flood water will remain in affected areas throughout this week. Rainfall is forecast on Wednesday which may have further impacts for this area, says the EA. | A severe flood warning remains for York city centre and areas of Huntington, Tang Hall, Osbaldwick and Foss Islands. The EA says it is testing repairs on the Foss Barrier that were put in place during daylight hours. Levels on the River Ouse have fallen from a peak of 5.2m to 4.8m during Monday, but levels will remain high and flood water will remain in affected areas throughout this week. Rainfall is forecast on Wednesday which may have further impacts for this area, says the EA. |
| 8.48am GMT08:48 | 8.48am GMT08:48 |
| More rain, more flooding says the Met Office. | More rain, more flooding says the Met Office. |
| Greatest impact from #StormFrank will be rain. Unfortunately more #flooding looks likely. Big rainfall totals. Simon pic.twitter.com/lzBgkpJSG7 | Greatest impact from #StormFrank will be rain. Unfortunately more #flooding looks likely. Big rainfall totals. Simon pic.twitter.com/lzBgkpJSG7 |
| 8.45am GMT08:45 | 8.45am GMT08:45 |
| Martin Kettle | Martin Kettle |
| Martin Kettle addresses the north-south theme cited by several northern politicians and the Yorkshire Evening Post in a powerful editorial yesterday. In his column, he writes: | Martin Kettle addresses the north-south theme cited by several northern politicians and the Yorkshire Evening Post in a powerful editorial yesterday. In his column, he writes: |
| As the Bible says, it rains on the just and the unjust alike. But you only have to look at the London focus of so much infrastructural renewal, never mind the mere existence of the Thames Barrier, to see why there is a genuine grievance here. London gets the projects it wants , while the people of Kirkstall and Rochdale have to brush the water and the dirt out of their flooded homes. | As the Bible says, it rains on the just and the unjust alike. But you only have to look at the London focus of so much infrastructural renewal, never mind the mere existence of the Thames Barrier, to see why there is a genuine grievance here. London gets the projects it wants , while the people of Kirkstall and Rochdale have to brush the water and the dirt out of their flooded homes. |
| The most important thing about the Christmas floods of 2015 is, without doubt, the misery of having your house, your street, your village and now even your city under water. But it’s almost as important that it is our country, northern England, where this is happening, though perhaps it just doesn’t feel like that in Chelsea or Shoreditch. This is a test of national solidarity as well as government. | The most important thing about the Christmas floods of 2015 is, without doubt, the misery of having your house, your street, your village and now even your city under water. But it’s almost as important that it is our country, northern England, where this is happening, though perhaps it just doesn’t feel like that in Chelsea or Shoreditch. This is a test of national solidarity as well as government. |
| Unless we also see the floods as an episode in the continued loosening and perhaps even the collapse of the UK, we will not see their full danger and potency. It will take more than a visit by Cameron in his wellies to persuade the victims that the government is on their side. It will take more even than government money, projects and activism, even supposing these are on offer. It will take an enduring conviction that the north matters just as much as anywhere else in Britain. And at the moment, that conviction just is not there. | Unless we also see the floods as an episode in the continued loosening and perhaps even the collapse of the UK, we will not see their full danger and potency. It will take more than a visit by Cameron in his wellies to persuade the victims that the government is on their side. It will take more even than government money, projects and activism, even supposing these are on offer. It will take an enduring conviction that the north matters just as much as anywhere else in Britain. And at the moment, that conviction just is not there. |
| 8.41am GMT08:41 | 8.41am GMT08:41 |
| Floods minister Rory Stewart has defended the cuts made in the previous coalition government to flood defences saying that £1.8bn had been spent in the last parliament. | Floods minister Rory Stewart has defended the cuts made in the previous coalition government to flood defences saying that £1.8bn had been spent in the last parliament. |
| He told Good Morning Britain: “Underlying the central problem I’m afraid is the weather. We have never had rain like this before. We have been dealing with this for nearly three-and-a-half weeks now. We started with more rain than had ever been seen in a day in the United Kingdom. We have had more rain than has ever happened in this month. | He told Good Morning Britain: “Underlying the central problem I’m afraid is the weather. We have never had rain like this before. We have been dealing with this for nearly three-and-a-half weeks now. We started with more rain than had ever been seen in a day in the United Kingdom. We have had more rain than has ever happened in this month. |
| “Rivers here which haven’t flooded in this way for 75 years are 15 feet up. I’m afraid that is the fundamental problem here. We are spending an enormous amount of money on flood defences. In the end what is beating us is this relentless rain.” | “Rivers here which haven’t flooded in this way for 75 years are 15 feet up. I’m afraid that is the fundamental problem here. We are spending an enormous amount of money on flood defences. In the end what is beating us is this relentless rain.” |
| On the Today programme, the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, called for cross-party agreement on a long term plan. “We cannot be in a situation where there is stop-start investment,” he said. McDonnell rejected the argument that money for foreign aid should be spent on flood defence at home, saying that aid money is being spent on tackling climate change at source. | On the Today programme, the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, called for cross-party agreement on a long term plan. “We cannot be in a situation where there is stop-start investment,” he said. McDonnell rejected the argument that money for foreign aid should be spent on flood defence at home, saying that aid money is being spent on tackling climate change at source. |
| 8.31am GMT08:31 | 8.31am GMT08:31 |
| As communities continue to clean up after the Boxing Day floods, gales and downpours are forecast from this evening, with Cumbria and southern and central Scotland most at risk of more disruption from Storm Frank. | As communities continue to clean up after the Boxing Day floods, gales and downpours are forecast from this evening, with Cumbria and southern and central Scotland most at risk of more disruption from Storm Frank. |
| The Met Office has issued amber warnings with up to 40mm of persistent rain expected widely across Northern Ireland, west and south-west Scotland, Wales and north-west England - flooded by Storm Desmond - by tomorrow. Twice that is possible - 80mm - over high ground, with some exposed areas in south-west Scotland and Cumbria warned they could be hit by 100-150mm. It said the conditions were “not unusual for this time of year” and comparable with the storms of the winter of 2013-14. | The Met Office has issued amber warnings with up to 40mm of persistent rain expected widely across Northern Ireland, west and south-west Scotland, Wales and north-west England - flooded by Storm Desmond - by tomorrow. Twice that is possible - 80mm - over high ground, with some exposed areas in south-west Scotland and Cumbria warned they could be hit by 100-150mm. It said the conditions were “not unusual for this time of year” and comparable with the storms of the winter of 2013-14. |
| Here is what we know so far this morning: | Here is what we know so far this morning: |