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Heavy rain causes flooding across northern England 'Biblical' rainfall leaves streets of Sheffield flooded
(about 3 hours later)
Flooding has brought road and rail disruption across northern England after hours of heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall has left the streets of Sheffield flooded and emergency contractors working at "full capacity" to prevent further flooding.
Rail commuters on the Northern network faced disruption across Derbyshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, South and West Yorkshire. A council spokesperson said a "full emergency service was running" across the city, with one contractor saying the rain was "not far from biblical".
Across Yorkshire and Derbyshire 42 flood warnings were in place. The slipway on the M1 at junction 34 has been closed and shoppers in the Meadowhall centre have been advised by the police not to leave.
The Met Office has warned of "prolonged and occasionally heavy" rain throughout Thursday and into Friday, with up to 80mm (3in) falling in some areas. Heavy rain is forecast until 03:00 GMT.
A yellow weather warning is in place for the East Midlands, North East England, parts of North West England and Yorkshire until 06:00 GMT on Friday. Councillor Mark Jones said: "The rain is going to get worse again tonight.
As a precaution, temporary barriers have been installed in Mytholmroyd in the Calder Valley, which was badly hit by flooding on Boxing Day in 2015, the Environment Agency (EA) said. "We have a full emergency service running and we are monitoring the situation as best we can but we are inundated.
The area has since seen millions of pounds invested in improved flood defences. "It's all hands on deck, everything is being activated and mobilised but the fire service and council contractors are working at full capacity."
Heavy rainfall has closed several roads in Leicestershire while homes at Whiston near Rotherham have also been flooded. South Yorkshire Police said the area around Meadowhall shopping centre had been left gridlocked due to the flooding.
On Twitter, the force said: "There is heavy flooding due to adverse weather conditions and closures are in place. Please avoid the area. Events at Meadowhall are cancelled. We advise only essential travel."
It added: "If you are in Meadowhall, do not leave the shopping centre - await further updates."
Darren Butt, of contractors Streets Ahead, said: "The situation is not far from biblical , it is very frustrating for the traveller but we are dealing with a big volume of water, it is very slow and frustrating.
"There are around 10 road closures, issues on the East Coast mainline and M1 motorway.
"We expect a similar intensity of rain until around 03:00am."
The city is one of the worst-hit places in England with a number of roads left impassable to traffic, cars stranded in floodwater and many routes gridlocked.
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The council has closed Millhouses Park where a 14-year-old boy was swept to his death in the River Sheaf during the devastating floods in the city in 2007.
Elsewhere, heavy rainfall has also closed several roads in Leicestershire, while homes at Whiston near Rotherham have also been flooded.
The A1 northbound is closed between B6325 Great North Road (North Muskham) and A6075 Ashvale Road (Tuxford Junction, Tuxford) in Lincolnshire.The A1 northbound is closed between B6325 Great North Road (North Muskham) and A6075 Ashvale Road (Tuxford Junction, Tuxford) in Lincolnshire.
One lane of the M1 southbound has been closed between junction 40 near Ossett and 39 at Denby Dale.One lane of the M1 southbound has been closed between junction 40 near Ossett and 39 at Denby Dale.
Rail firm Northern has issued "do not travel" advice for passengers using three routes.Rail firm Northern has issued "do not travel" advice for passengers using three routes.
Flooding has closed the lines between Sheffield and Gainsborough, Sheffield and Lincoln and Hebden Bridge and Manchester Victoria.Flooding has closed the lines between Sheffield and Gainsborough, Sheffield and Lincoln and Hebden Bridge and Manchester Victoria.
The firm said roads were also closed in the corresponding areas, meaning "customers should not attempt to travel". Rotherham Central and Kiveton Park railway stations are also closed due to flooding and all lines between Todmorden and Rochdale are also blocked. Trains are also not stopping at Hadfield in Derbyshire.
Rotherham Central and Kiveton Park railway station are closed due to flooding and all lines between Todmorden and Rochdale are also blocked. Trains are also not stopping at Hadfield in Derbyshire due to the adverse weather.
A Christmas event at Meadowhall Shopping Centre, near Sheffield, has also been cancelled.
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There has also been rail travel disruption between Chester and Crewe due to flooding on the tracks, with some services running through those stations being cancelled.
Transport for Wales Rail said a replacement bus service was in operation.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: "There is a risk some places will see significant amounts of rain, particularly the higher ground of North Wales, the Pennines, the North York Moors and the Peak District."
The EA said: "Our incident rooms are open and we are working closely with partners to reduce flood risk."
Sheffield councillor Mark Jones said the city was struggling to cope following the torrential rainfall.
"The rain is going to get worse again tonight. We have a full emergency service running and we are monitoring the situation as best we can but we are inundated," he said.
"It's all hands on deck, everything is being activated and mobilised but the fire service and [council contractors] Amey are working at full capacity."