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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2015/dec/30/storm-frank-further-flooding-gales-rain-batter-british-isles
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| Version 29 | Version 30 |
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| Storm Frank: floods expected as gales and rain batter Britain and Ireland – as it happened | Storm Frank: floods expected as gales and rain batter Britain and Ireland – as it happened |
| (30 days later) | |
| 9.58pm GMT | 9.58pm GMT |
| 21:58 | 21:58 |
| Osborne accused of over flood defences | Osborne accused of over flood defences |
| The Chancellor, George Osborne, has been accused of jeopardising Britain’s crumbling flood defences over the past five years by prioritising cuts to the deficit, and has also been warned that infrastructure spending may need to rise sharply to adapt to climate change. | The Chancellor, George Osborne, has been accused of jeopardising Britain’s crumbling flood defences over the past five years by prioritising cuts to the deficit, and has also been warned that infrastructure spending may need to rise sharply to adapt to climate change. |
| You can read a full report here on the warnings leading academics. Here’s a snippet: | You can read a full report here on the warnings leading academics. Here’s a snippet: |
| Professor Simon Wren-Lewis, of Oxford University, who has analysed data on recent flood spending, said there was little sign that the government had changed course to take into account the growing threat of extreme weather. | Professor Simon Wren-Lewis, of Oxford University, who has analysed data on recent flood spending, said there was little sign that the government had changed course to take into account the growing threat of extreme weather. |
| “What you would really expect is to see spending at a much higher level,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like the same kind of reaction which we know has happened to the threat of terrorism, where we know spending levels have increased by a large magnitude.” | “What you would really expect is to see spending at a much higher level,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like the same kind of reaction which we know has happened to the threat of terrorism, where we know spending levels have increased by a large magnitude.” |
| David Cameron has promised to invest £400m a year on shoring up flood defences over the next six years; but official data shows spending was cut sharply at the start of the last parliament, from £360m in 2010-11, to less than £270m in 2012-13. | David Cameron has promised to invest £400m a year on shoring up flood defences over the next six years; but official data shows spending was cut sharply at the start of the last parliament, from £360m in 2010-11, to less than £270m in 2012-13. |
| The blog is being wrapped up now | The blog is being wrapped up now |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.59pm GMT | at 9.59pm GMT |
| 9.56pm GMT | 9.56pm GMT |
| 21:56 | 21:56 |
| Phyllis Young was one of those on board the Stagecoach bus when it got into difficulty in Dailly, South Ayrshire (See earlier post) | Phyllis Young was one of those on board the Stagecoach bus when it got into difficulty in Dailly, South Ayrshire (See earlier post) |
| Speaking after the rescue, she told BBC Scotland: | Speaking after the rescue, she told BBC Scotland: |
| The water came in the bus, it came up and up and got to the windows and was just like big waves. You could see the current - it was very, very scary. | The water came in the bus, it came up and up and got to the windows and was just like big waves. You could see the current - it was very, very scary. |
| We moved up to the back of the bus because the seats were higher. I actually sat on the ledge at the back. Some people were standing on the seat grab bars. My feet and legs were in the water the whole time. | We moved up to the back of the bus because the seats were higher. I actually sat on the ledge at the back. Some people were standing on the seat grab bars. My feet and legs were in the water the whole time. |
| The whole of the front lower section of the bus was completely covered with water. | The whole of the front lower section of the bus was completely covered with water. |
| A Stagecoach spokeswoman said the road was open to traffic at the time the bus was making the journey from Girvan to Ayr. | A Stagecoach spokeswoman said the road was open to traffic at the time the bus was making the journey from Girvan to Ayr. |
| 8.31pm GMT | 8.31pm GMT |
| 20:31 | 20:31 |
| The Environment Agency’s Chairman, Philip Dilley, is reported to be facing a grilling next week from MPs. | The Environment Agency’s Chairman, Philip Dilley, is reported to be facing a grilling next week from MPs. |
| Dilley has been visiting flood-hit areas of the north of England following his return from a much-criticised holiday in the Carribbean. | Dilley has been visiting flood-hit areas of the north of England following his return from a much-criticised holiday in the Carribbean. |
| However, the parliamentary committee that has oversight of the Agency is now said to have summoned Dilley to face questions on Wednesday. | However, the parliamentary committee that has oversight of the Agency is now said to have summoned Dilley to face questions on Wednesday. |
| The Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick told the Daily Telegraph that the agency’s chairman had “opened himself up to all manner of questions”. | The Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick told the Daily Telegraph that the agency’s chairman had “opened himself up to all manner of questions”. |
| Fitzpatrick added: | Fitzpatrick added: |
| When he took the job he criticised his predecessor Chris Smith and said he would be a different kind of chairman, and the fact that he hasn’t performed as he promised leaves him open to criticism. | When he took the job he criticised his predecessor Chris Smith and said he would be a different kind of chairman, and the fact that he hasn’t performed as he promised leaves him open to criticism. |
| He is being evasive…but the public have a right to know what he is doing and the reaction of people he has met, so it’s very disappointing. | He is being evasive…but the public have a right to know what he is doing and the reaction of people he has met, so it’s very disappointing. |
| Here is some video from earlier today (via the Press Association) showing the media reception in London for Dilley: | Here is some video from earlier today (via the Press Association) showing the media reception in London for Dilley: |
| Environment Agency chairman Sir Philip Dilley returns from the Bahamas to face questions on #StormFrank flooding https://t.co/Jr6M3xxYcc | Environment Agency chairman Sir Philip Dilley returns from the Bahamas to face questions on #StormFrank flooding https://t.co/Jr6M3xxYcc |
| 8.17pm GMT | 8.17pm GMT |
| 20:17 | 20:17 |
| Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced an emergency scheme for households affected by flooding, Henry McDonald reports. | Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced an emergency scheme for households affected by flooding, Henry McDonald reports. |
| Durkan said that individual householders who have suffered severe inconvenience can claim £1,000 payment from their local council, as an offer of practical assistance. | Durkan said that individual householders who have suffered severe inconvenience can claim £1,000 payment from their local council, as an offer of practical assistance. |
| The payment is meant to ensure that homes are made habitable as quickly as possible. It is not a compensation payment, according to Durkan. | The payment is meant to ensure that homes are made habitable as quickly as possible. It is not a compensation payment, according to Durkan. |
| 8.02pm GMT | 8.02pm GMT |
| 20:02 | 20:02 |
| A large number of emergency service members are working tonight in “unprecedented flood conditions in Peebles, in the Scottish Borders, according to Peter Heath, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer at the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. | A large number of emergency service members are working tonight in “unprecedented flood conditions in Peebles, in the Scottish Borders, according to Peter Heath, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer at the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. |
| Peebles is one of the locations where a “severe flooding - danger to life” warning has been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), along with Whitesands in Dumfries and Galloway. | Peebles is one of the locations where a “severe flooding - danger to life” warning has been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), along with Whitesands in Dumfries and Galloway. |
| Three hundred homes were evacuated in Peebles, from where James Matthews tweeted these images a few hours earlier: | Three hundred homes were evacuated in Peebles, from where James Matthews tweeted these images a few hours earlier: |
| Peebles #stormfrank https://t.co/z5Tu9NtUh3 | Peebles #stormfrank https://t.co/z5Tu9NtUh3 |
| 7.50pm GMT | 7.50pm GMT |
| 19:50 | 19:50 |
| The latest forecast from the Met Office says that winds should ease overnight and New year’s Eve is set to be a “brighter, colder day” with sunshine and showers. | The latest forecast from the Met Office says that winds should ease overnight and New year’s Eve is set to be a “brighter, colder day” with sunshine and showers. |
| This evening and overnight to the south of a line from approximately mid Wales to the Humber, rain will continue at times. | This evening and overnight to the south of a line from approximately mid Wales to the Humber, rain will continue at times. |
| Showers will follow the rain in northern and western areas. Some of these showers will turn wintry with squally winds across Northern Ireland and southwest Scotland for a time this evening before drier weather follows later. The wind should continue to ease overnight. | Showers will follow the rain in northern and western areas. Some of these showers will turn wintry with squally winds across Northern Ireland and southwest Scotland for a time this evening before drier weather follows later. The wind should continue to ease overnight. |
| New Year’s Eve (Thursday) looks to be a brighter, colder day with sunshine and showers, some heavy with hail and thunder especially during the afternoon. A cold night is then expected with a widespread frost in all parts. | New Year’s Eve (Thursday) looks to be a brighter, colder day with sunshine and showers, some heavy with hail and thunder especially during the afternoon. A cold night is then expected with a widespread frost in all parts. |
| Many areas should be fine and dry on New Year’s Day (Friday), but cloud, rain and strong winds are likely to return from the west over the weekend. | Many areas should be fine and dry on New Year’s Day (Friday), but cloud, rain and strong winds are likely to return from the west over the weekend. |
| Patchy frost in the north, whilst rain clears to showers. Blustery in the south. Here to help. ^TLH pic.twitter.com/6fvLxQsLny | Patchy frost in the north, whilst rain clears to showers. Blustery in the south. Here to help. ^TLH pic.twitter.com/6fvLxQsLny |
| The Met Office added that this “unsettled and occasionally stormy spell” was well signalled in our recent three month outlooks and is not unusual for this time of year. | The Met Office added that this “unsettled and occasionally stormy spell” was well signalled in our recent three month outlooks and is not unusual for this time of year. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.53pm GMT | at 7.53pm GMT |
| 7.40pm GMT | 7.40pm GMT |
| 19:40 | 19:40 |
| The Rochdale Labour MP Simon Danczuk has apologised after pictures emerged showing him in a bar on Boxing Day as floods swept through parts of the town. | The Rochdale Labour MP Simon Danczuk has apologised after pictures emerged showing him in a bar on Boxing Day as floods swept through parts of the town. |
| In a piece for the Rochdale Observer, he wrote: | In a piece for the Rochdale Observer, he wrote: |
| I would like to take this opportunity to personally apologise to those who felt I misjudged my immediate response to the floods and reassure my constituents that I have redoubled my efforts to make sure our town gets the help it needs to get back on its feet. | I would like to take this opportunity to personally apologise to those who felt I misjudged my immediate response to the floods and reassure my constituents that I have redoubled my efforts to make sure our town gets the help it needs to get back on its feet. |
| Here’s the tweet from his then girlfriend, Claire Hamilton, which landed him in trouble | Here’s the tweet from his then girlfriend, Claire Hamilton, which landed him in trouble |
| Having a fun evening at @ViceroyLeyland with @SimonDanczuk & flat cap pic.twitter.com/NtZoOdwzlw | Having a fun evening at @ViceroyLeyland with @SimonDanczuk & flat cap pic.twitter.com/NtZoOdwzlw |
| 7.30pm GMT | 7.30pm GMT |
| 19:30 | 19:30 |
| A bit of good news perhaps now at least. There are currently no severe flood warnings ( meaning ‘Severe flooding. Danger to life’) in place for England and Wales, according to the Environment Agency. | A bit of good news perhaps now at least. There are currently no severe flood warnings ( meaning ‘Severe flooding. Danger to life’) in place for England and Wales, according to the Environment Agency. |
| That’s something which has changed from the situation about an hour ago. | That’s something which has changed from the situation about an hour ago. |
| However, 31 warnings (flooding is expected. Immediate action required) and 131 alerts (flooding is possible. Be prepared) are in place. | However, 31 warnings (flooding is expected. Immediate action required) and 131 alerts (flooding is possible. Be prepared) are in place. |
| The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has 12 flood alerts, 73 flood warnings and two severe flood warnings in place. | The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has 12 flood alerts, 73 flood warnings and two severe flood warnings in place. |
| Here is the latest wrap of the situation around the country from our team: | Here is the latest wrap of the situation around the country from our team: |
| Related: Storm Frank batters large parts of UK as weather misery deepens | Related: Storm Frank batters large parts of UK as weather misery deepens |
| 7.17pm GMT | 7.17pm GMT |
| 19:17 | 19:17 |
| It sounds grim on board Henry McDonald’s train. He says that a Translink employee has come on board to confirm that the railway line beyond Portadown has been “completely submerged” due to the flooding. | It sounds grim on board Henry McDonald’s train. He says that a Translink employee has come on board to confirm that the railway line beyond Portadown has been “completely submerged” due to the flooding. |
| He also told passengers that there is a missing bus of passengers who boarded a coach from Portadown Station for Newry. | He also told passengers that there is a missing bus of passengers who boarded a coach from Portadown Station for Newry. |
| (7.41 update: Henry says the Translink man has told passengers they have found the coach driver and the passengers picked up at Portadown. They will be at flood free Newry station in ten minutes. Now they can finally move off.) | (7.41 update: Henry says the Translink man has told passengers they have found the coach driver and the passengers picked up at Portadown. They will be at flood free Newry station in ten minutes. Now they can finally move off.) |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.42pm GMT | at 7.42pm GMT |
| 7.15pm GMT | 7.15pm GMT |
| 19:15 | 19:15 |
| Two children among 12 rescued from bus | Two children among 12 rescued from bus |
| Two children were among a total of 12 people who were rescued from a bus after it stranded in flood water in Scotland, according to new details coming through about that rescue which we reported on earlier. | Two children were among a total of 12 people who were rescued from a bus after it stranded in flood water in Scotland, according to new details coming through about that rescue which we reported on earlier. |
| Ten passengers were airlifted by a Royal Navy helicopter from the vehicle when it became stuck in Dailly, South Ayrshire, at about 1.35pm. | Ten passengers were airlifted by a Royal Navy helicopter from the vehicle when it became stuck in Dailly, South Ayrshire, at about 1.35pm. |
| A further two people were taken off the bus by officers from Police Scotland’s marine unit. | A further two people were taken off the bus by officers from Police Scotland’s marine unit. |
| The four men, six women, a seven-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl were all taken to a local community centre to be assessed by medical staff, police confirmed. | The four men, six women, a seven-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl were all taken to a local community centre to be assessed by medical staff, police confirmed. |
| The bus is expected to be removed from the scene on Thursday. | The bus is expected to be removed from the scene on Thursday. |
| The passengers are all in good spirits and there are no injuries, according to Police Scotland. They were brought to a local community centre. | The passengers are all in good spirits and there are no injuries, according to Police Scotland. They were brought to a local community centre. |
| Here’s an image of the bus, as tweeted by STV News. | Here’s an image of the bus, as tweeted by STV News. |
| UPDATE: Ten rescued from bus stuck in flood water in South Ayrshire and taken to hospital https://t.co/NXMchraI7J pic.twitter.com/4OtU5oxGNw | UPDATE: Ten rescued from bus stuck in flood water in South Ayrshire and taken to hospital https://t.co/NXMchraI7J pic.twitter.com/4OtU5oxGNw |