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Torrential rain and floods continue to cause travel chaos across UK Torrential rain and floods continue to cause travel chaos across UK
(35 minutes later)
A woman pulled from the sea near Folkestone has died, as torrential rain causes flash flooding and blocked roads and train lines across swaths of the UK.A woman pulled from the sea near Folkestone has died, as torrential rain causes flash flooding and blocked roads and train lines across swaths of the UK.
The 39-year-old woman was pulled from the water by a coastguard helicopter in 80mph winds shortly before 8am on Tuesday near Folkestone pier, having been in the sea for about an hour.The 39-year-old woman was pulled from the water by a coastguard helicopter in 80mph winds shortly before 8am on Tuesday near Folkestone pier, having been in the sea for about an hour.
Kent police said she was taken to a local hospital in a life-threatening condition but later died.Kent police said she was taken to a local hospital in a life-threatening condition but later died.
The Environment Agency has issued 23 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected and residents should take immediate action – for the Midlands, Wales, and the north-east, north-west and east of England. A further 137 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, are active.The Environment Agency has issued 23 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected and residents should take immediate action – for the Midlands, Wales, and the north-east, north-west and east of England. A further 137 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, are active.
Fears were mounting for the safety of Russell Sherwood, 69, who has been missing since setting off on a car journey from his home in Neath, south Wales, on Sunday.Fears were mounting for the safety of Russell Sherwood, 69, who has been missing since setting off on a car journey from his home in Neath, south Wales, on Sunday.
Officers said they were focusing their attention on the river Ogmore and had recovered a bumper bar bearing the number plate of his vehicle.Officers said they were focusing their attention on the river Ogmore and had recovered a bumper bar bearing the number plate of his vehicle.
A ferry that had been stranded in Cardigan Bay for more than 24 hours with nearly 150 passengers and crew on board, had now docked at Fishguard in Wales. Storm Angus had prevented the docking of the Stena Line ferry, which left Rosslare in Ireland at about 9am on Monday.A ferry that had been stranded in Cardigan Bay for more than 24 hours with nearly 150 passengers and crew on board, had now docked at Fishguard in Wales. Storm Angus had prevented the docking of the Stena Line ferry, which left Rosslare in Ireland at about 9am on Monday.
Rail services in the south-west and northern England were badly hit by the aftermath of Storm Angus at the weekend and Monday’s torrential rain.Rail services in the south-west and northern England were badly hit by the aftermath of Storm Angus at the weekend and Monday’s torrential rain.
Network Rail said no mainline trains to or from London would be able to leave or arrive at Exeter for about 48 hours because part of the tracks had been swept away at Cowley Bridge in the city. Network Rail said it expected trains from Paddington would be able to get as far as Tiverton in Devon.Network Rail said no mainline trains to or from London would be able to leave or arrive at Exeter for about 48 hours because part of the tracks had been swept away at Cowley Bridge in the city. Network Rail said it expected trains from Paddington would be able to get as far as Tiverton in Devon.
The ballast was washed away from the tracks at Cowley Bridge, leaving rails dangling in the air. Some electronic points equipment was also damaged.The ballast was washed away from the tracks at Cowley Bridge, leaving rails dangling in the air. Some electronic points equipment was also damaged.
Trains to/from Devon affected by washouts of track & ballast due to severe weather. Check with @nationalrailenq / @GWRHelp before travelling pic.twitter.com/LFdIg24mbXTrains to/from Devon affected by washouts of track & ballast due to severe weather. Check with @nationalrailenq / @GWRHelp before travelling pic.twitter.com/LFdIg24mbX
The Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw tweeted:The Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw tweeted:
Main rail line to SW closed again by flooding. What was 10 to 20 year event now virtually annual. Need *real* investment for resilience now. https://t.co/Dtyudk96zIMain rail line to SW closed again by flooding. What was 10 to 20 year event now virtually annual. Need *real* investment for resilience now. https://t.co/Dtyudk96zI
Services on Arriva Trains Wales, Cross Country, East Midlands Trains, Great Western Railway, Northern, South West Trains, Virgin Trains East Coast and the TransPennine Express had also been affected, according to Network Rail.Services on Arriva Trains Wales, Cross Country, East Midlands Trains, Great Western Railway, Northern, South West Trains, Virgin Trains East Coast and the TransPennine Express had also been affected, according to Network Rail.
Flooding had forced the shutdown or partial closure of lines, including between Shrewsbury and Hereford, and the Vale of Glamorgan line to Cardiff airport. Also affected were lines between Liskeard and Looe, Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple, and Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed.Flooding had forced the shutdown or partial closure of lines, including between Shrewsbury and Hereford, and the Vale of Glamorgan line to Cardiff airport. Also affected were lines between Liskeard and Looe, Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple, and Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed.
In Greater Manchester, homes and businesses were left submerged after a month’s worth of rain fell in one night. Tameside and Oldham were some of the worst-hit areas, with 3 inches of rain falling overnight.In Greater Manchester, homes and businesses were left submerged after a month’s worth of rain fell in one night. Tameside and Oldham were some of the worst-hit areas, with 3 inches of rain falling overnight.
The Press Association journalist Rich McCarthy tweeted:The Press Association journalist Rich McCarthy tweeted:
Some of the worst flood damage I've seen in Millbrook, Tameside. For context the dark on the 1st wall was a drive and solid ground @PA pic.twitter.com/OjTMfWzUZ9Some of the worst flood damage I've seen in Millbrook, Tameside. For context the dark on the 1st wall was a drive and solid ground @PA pic.twitter.com/OjTMfWzUZ9
The region’s fire service received 230 calls between 4pm and 9pm on Monday during the peak of the torrential rainfall. Some homeowners had to be rescued after dozens of homes in Stalybridge were flooded – with water reportedly “neck-deep”.The region’s fire service received 230 calls between 4pm and 9pm on Monday during the peak of the torrential rainfall. Some homeowners had to be rescued after dozens of homes in Stalybridge were flooded – with water reportedly “neck-deep”.
Rescue crews used ladders to remove trapped first and second floors of their homes. In another case on Huddersfield Road in the town’s Millbrook area, rescuers were seen using a boat to help remove people trapped in their homes. Rescue crews used ladders to remove people trapped on the first first and second floors of their homes. In another case, on Huddersfield Road in the town’s Millbrook area, rescuers were seen using a boat to help remove people trapped in their homes.
Andy Vaughan, 54, and his wife had to be rescued from their home in a fire service boat after his cottage was overcome by torrential water. He had been desperately trying to protect his property as the water levels rose during the storms. Andy Vaughan and his wife, Shelley, had to be rescued from their home in a fire service boat after their cottage was overcome by torrential water. He had been desperately trying to protect the property as the water levels rose.
However, his front door caved in during a rush of water which flooded into the village from the nearby Walkerwood reservoir after it had become blocked and overflowed. However, the front door caved in during a rush of water which flooded into the village from the nearby Walkerwood reservoir after it had become blocked and overflowed.
His basement was submerged, his back garden collapsed and water rose above the window sills of the front of the house destroying large parts of the property. The family are now homeless. His basement was submerged, his back garden collapsed and water rose above the window sills of the front of the house, destroying large parts of the property. The family are now homeless.
Two children at the property were rescued from an upstairs window by the family’s neighbour, Karl Jones, 37. Vaughan and his wife, Shelley, were then rescued by fire crews about two hours later when a boat became available. Two children at the property were rescued from an upstairs window by the family’s neighbour, Karl Jones, 37. The Vaughans were then rescued by fire crews about two hours later when a boat became available.
The Met Office’s yellow warning for Greater Manchester remained in force until 6am on Tuesday and a clean-up operation has begun across the region.In West Yorkshire fire crews were called to four incidents of people being trapped in cars which were stuck in flood water and one person had to be rescued from their vehicle in Otley.The Met Office’s yellow warning for Greater Manchester remained in force until 6am on Tuesday and a clean-up operation has begun across the region.In West Yorkshire fire crews were called to four incidents of people being trapped in cars which were stuck in flood water and one person had to be rescued from their vehicle in Otley.