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UK weather: homes evacuated as floods hit north of England Peak District town evacuated over flood threat
(32 minutes later)
Police are warning motorists not to risk their lives by trying to drive through flood waters on closed roads in the north of England as the cleanup operation begins after days of heavy rain. A Peak District town was being evacuated on Thursday afternoon as a nearby reservoir looked set to burst.
The weather across England is expected to be much drier on Thursday, according to the Met Office, after homes were evacuated and stranded people had to be rescued as a result of flooding across part of the UK. Residents of Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, were told to leave their homes and make arrangements to stay with friends or family “for a number of days” after severe weather in recent days left the Toddbrook reservoir damaged and dangerously full.
However, the town of Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, was poised for an evacuation after damage was discovered on the walls of the nearby Toddbrook Reservoir which has become dangerously full. Business owners and visitors were earlier advised to leave the town so any evacuation could “be done as quickly and safely as possible”. Road closures and diversions were already in place.
Officers from Derbyshire police were on the scene along with the local fire and rescue service, mountain rescue and ambulance services, as well as Environment Agency staff. Officers from Derbyshire police were on the scene at the reservoir along with the local fire and rescue service, mountain rescue and ambulance services and Environment Agency staff.
“Business owners, and people who are not residents of the area, are being advised to leave to ensure that, should there be a requirement for an evacuation, then this can be done as quickly and safely as possible,” the Derbyshire constabulary said. Citizens were asked to avoid the area, where a number of road closures and diversions are in place. Derbyshire constabulary said: “If you are being asked to leave your home then please attend Chapel high school where further direction will be given. Police officers and staff will be at the school to provide further direction, though at this time we are not sure how long the evacuation will take.
“Residents are asked to make alternative arrangements to stay with friends and family, ensure that any pets are taken with them and that all medication that may be needed for a number of days is taken with them. If people do not have somewhere to go then they will be accommodated, however, there is limited capacity to do so.”
The Met Office forecast “much drier” weather on Thursday after homes were evacuated and stranded people were rescued as a result of flooding in parts of the UK.
A major incident was declared late on Wednesday evening in Poynton, Cheshire, where thunderstorms and downpours forced drivers to abandon their vehicles and caused damage to property. The wet weather also caused rail disruption on the line between Manchester airport and Wilmslow early on Thursday.A major incident was declared late on Wednesday evening in Poynton, Cheshire, where thunderstorms and downpours forced drivers to abandon their vehicles and caused damage to property. The wet weather also caused rail disruption on the line between Manchester airport and Wilmslow early on Thursday.
Cheshire fire and rescue service (CFRS) said firefighters, emergency services personnel and staff from Highways England were helping those affected, with a rest centre established at Poynton civic hall. Cheshire fire and rescue service (CFRS) said firefighters, emergency services personnel and staff from Highways England were helping those affected and a rest centre had been established at Poynton civic hall.
Police urged people not to ignore “road closed” signs by driving or walking through water. “Your car could become submerged and the road underneath could have collapsed, putting you in danger,” the local force said on Twitter.Police urged people not to ignore “road closed” signs by driving or walking through water. “Your car could become submerged and the road underneath could have collapsed, putting you in danger,” the local force said on Twitter.
CFRS said: “Crews and police officers are working very hard to get to those in need and the most vulnerable in our communities.”CFRS said: “Crews and police officers are working very hard to get to those in need and the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Poynton fire station said its crews had attended more than 20 incidents, rescuing at least 11 people from flood waters in the area in a four-hour period. Poynton fire station said its crews had attended more than 20 incidents, rescuing at least 11 people in a four-hour period.
Police in nearby Wilmslow said officers were dealing with flooding and had evacuated affected residents, with Oakenclough children’s centre open as a rest centre. Police in nearby Wilmslow said officers were dealing with flooding and had evacuated homes, with Oakenclough children’s centre open as a rest centre.
The Met Office said it should be a “much drier picture” across England on Thursday. The forecaster Luke Miall said only sporadic rain was likely in central and western Scotland and northern England, possibly as far south as Yorkshire. Luke Miall, a Met Office forecaster, said sporadic rain was likely on Thursday in central and western Scotland and northern England, possibly as far south as Yorkshire.
He said: “There may be some showers but they’re likely to not be as frequent nor as significant as the last few days.” “There may be some showers but they’re likely to not be as frequent nor as significant as the last few days,” he said. South-west England and parts of Wales may also see occasional showers.
South-west England and parts of Wales may also see occasional showers, he said. On Wednesday the Environment Agency put out multiple flood warnings and alerts covering central, north-west and north-east England. Photos shared on social media showed the aftermath of heavy rain that struck Horwich in Bolton on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the Environment Agency put out multiple flood warnings and alerts covering central, north-west and north-east England. Photos shared on social media showed the aftermath of heavy rain that struck Horwich in Bolton on Wednesday. Jess, 20, was caught in the “mammoth” rain that flooded roads to “shin height”, according to posts she shared on Twitter. “I had my dog with me and as we crossed the road she almost got swept away, so I had to pull her across to me and pick her up,” she told PA Media. “I then waded through the rest of the water, about a foot and a half deep. I’ve never seen water that deep in such a residential area before.”
Jess, 20, was caught in the “mammoth” rain that flooded roads to “shin height”, according to posts she shared on Twitter. On Thursday morning across England there were 17 flood warnings, meaning immediate action was required, and 27 flood alerts advising people to be prepared.
“I had my dog with me and as we crossed the road she almost got swept away, so I had to pull her across to me and pick her up,” she told PA Media. “I then waded through the rest of the water, about a foot and a half deep. I’ve never seen water that deep in such a residential area before.”
On Thursday morning across England there were 17 flood warnings – meaning immediate action was required – and 27 flood alerts advising people to be prepared.
UK weatherUK weather
Flooding
North of EnglandNorth of England
Greater Manchester
Scotland
Wales
Rail transport
Transport
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