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Storm Frank batters parts of UK causing flooding fears Homes evacuated and power cuts as Storm Frank hits UK
(about 2 hours later)
Heavy rain and gales are hitting Northern Ireland and Scotland as Storm Frank brings fears of further flooding. Hundreds of homes have been evacuated and thousands left without power in Scotland and Northern Ireland as Storm Frank brings torrential rain and gales.
There are three severe flood warnings, indicating danger to life, in Croston, Lancashire, where villagers are braced for the second flood in a week.There are three severe flood warnings, indicating danger to life, in Croston, Lancashire, where villagers are braced for the second flood in a week.
A further 46 flood warnings, requiring immediate action, are in force in England and Wales and more than 60 in place in Scotland. There are 46 flood warnings, requiring immediate action, in England and Wales and more than 60 more in Scotland.
About 5,500 homes have been left without power in the north of Scotland. Fire crews are using boats to try to rescue people from one cut-off village.
In Northern Ireland, homes also experienced power cuts, air passengers were delayed and fallen trees caused problems on the roads. Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England are expected to bear the brunt of the weather.
Meanwhile in North Yorkshire, soldiers evacuated homes near a bridge in Tadcaster after it collapsed, prompting fears of flooding and a possible gas explosion. About 300 homes are being evacuated in Hawick in the Scottish borders, with another evacuation likely in nearby Peebles.
In Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, the village of Carsphairn has been cut off and the River Nith in the town of Dumfries has spilled over its banks.
In Northern Ireland, thousands of homes have experienced power cuts, air passengers have been delayed and fallen trees have caused problems on the roads.
Meanwhile, in North Yorkshire, soldiers have evacuated homes near a bridge in Tadcaster after it collapsed, prompting fears of flooding and a possible gas explosion.
The town's 18th-century stone bridge over River Wharf collapsed on Tuesday, causing a nearby gas pipe to rupture.
People watched the storm-battered masonry crumble into the swollen river, before running away as a wave headed towards the bank and a strong smell of gas leaked from exposed pipes. A severe weather warning for the town has now been lifted.
Live coverage: Latest updates on Storm FrankLive coverage: Latest updates on Storm Frank
Analysis: Floods unleash unprecedented criticismAnalysis: Floods unleash unprecedented criticism
Explainer: December storms' trail of destructionExplainer: December storms' trail of destruction
In other developments:In other developments:
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.
If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971; Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk; Or Upload your pictures/video hereIf you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: WhatsApp: +44 7525 900971; Send pictures/video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk; Or Upload your pictures/video here
BBC Weather's Matt Taylor said between 80mm and 120mm (three to five inches) of rain was expected over Cumbria and central and southern Scotland, with rivers in Dumfries and Galloway likely to rise.BBC Weather's Matt Taylor said between 80mm and 120mm (three to five inches) of rain was expected over Cumbria and central and southern Scotland, with rivers in Dumfries and Galloway likely to rise.
Scottish coasts were experiencing gusts of up to 70mph (112km/h), he said. Scottish coasts were experiencing wind gusts of up to 70mph (112km/h), he said.
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.
In Croston, an RAF Chinook helicopter delivered 400 tonnes of sandbags on Tuesday in a bid to try to shore up the nearby River Douglas. In Croston, which was hit by floods on Boxing Day, an RAF Chinook helicopter delivered 400 tonnes of sandbags on Tuesday in a bid to shore up the nearby River Douglas in preparation for Wednesday's storm.
Villagers, already hit by floods on Boxing Day, are now preparing for the storm to hit them around mid-morning.
Mark Cowley, vice chairman of the parish council, said: "Everybody's worried. They're still shell-shocked from what happened on Boxing Day."Mark Cowley, vice chairman of the parish council, said: "Everybody's worried. They're still shell-shocked from what happened on Boxing Day."
A severe weather warning for Tadcaster was lifted the morning after the town's ancient bridge collapsed, causing a nearby gas pipe to rupture. Meanwhile, police in York said it was "extremely disappointing" that thieves had broken into homes submerged in flood water. They said dry goods had reportedly been stolen from outside homes, tools taken from sheds and a back door forced open.
People watched the storm-battered masonry crumble into the swollen river, before running away as a wave headed towards the bank and a strong smell of gas leaked from exposed pipes.
Homes around the 18th century stone bridge, over the River Wharfe, were evacuated by soldiers.
Meanwhile, police in York said it was "extremely disappointing" that thieves had broken into homes submerged in flood water.
Reports were received of dry goods stolen from outside homes, tools taken from sheds and a back door forced open.
North Yorkshire Police's acting Supt Mark Grange said: "It is impossible to comprehend why anyone would want to bring further suffering to those who are already in a very vulnerable situation."North Yorkshire Police's acting Supt Mark Grange said: "It is impossible to comprehend why anyone would want to bring further suffering to those who are already in a very vulnerable situation."
Environment Agency head Sir Philip Dilley returned to the UK earlier after cutting short his family holiday in Barbados.Environment Agency head Sir Philip Dilley returned to the UK earlier after cutting short his family holiday in Barbados.
He will travel to the north of England later to meet some of the flood-hit communities. He will travel to the north of England later to visit some of the flood-hit communities.
He said he had been "in very close contact" with senior agency staff throughout his Christmas break.He said he had been "in very close contact" with senior agency staff throughout his Christmas break.
"Everybody can't be everywhere at the same time," he said, when asked about his whereabouts during the floods."Everybody can't be everywhere at the same time," he said, when asked about his whereabouts during the floods.
"I think we've been very effective and efficient in what we've been doing. There's obviously some lessons to learn.""I think we've been very effective and efficient in what we've been doing. There's obviously some lessons to learn."
The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings - meaning "be prepared" - for rain in Strathclyde; Central, Tayside and Fife; Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders; Grampian; north-west England and Northern Ireland for Wednesday.The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings - meaning "be prepared" - for rain in Strathclyde; Central, Tayside and Fife; Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders; Grampian; north-west England and Northern Ireland for Wednesday.
There are also yellow weather warnings - meaning "be aware" - for rain for the Highlands & Eilean Siar, Wales, north east England, South West England and Yorkshire and Humber.There are also yellow weather warnings - meaning "be aware" - for rain for the Highlands & Eilean Siar, Wales, north east England, South West England and Yorkshire and Humber.
In the Republic of Ireland, gales and torrential rain have closed roads, hit rail services and cut power to 4,200 homes and businesses.In the Republic of Ireland, gales and torrential rain have closed roads, hit rail services and cut power to 4,200 homes and businesses.
On Tuesday, Communities Secretary Greg Clark announced £50m extra funding to help households and businesses affected by flooding in northern England. The government says it has now pledged more than £100m towards the crisis. National Rail has said it is reopening some lines in Scotland following flooding on the Scottish railway network.
On Tuesday, Communities Secretary Greg Clark announced £50m extra funding to help households and businesses affected by flooding in northern England. The government says it has now pledged more than £100m.