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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/07/severe-flooding-causes-disruption-across-the-north-of-england
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| Hundreds trapped in shopping mall amid severe flooding in north of England | Hundreds trapped in shopping mall amid severe flooding in north of England |
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| Shoppers at Meadowhall in Sheffield told not to leave by police and many trains cancelled after heavy rain | Shoppers at Meadowhall in Sheffield told not to leave by police and many trains cancelled after heavy rain |
| Hours of torrential rain in parts of northern England caused a stream to burst its banks, engulfing nearby cars and trapping hundreds of people in a shopping mall. | |
| Motorists were warned to avoid flooded roads as Blackburn Brook, a tributary of the River Don in South Yorkshire, overflowed into nearby streets with people abandoning their cars. | Motorists were warned to avoid flooded roads as Blackburn Brook, a tributary of the River Don in South Yorkshire, overflowed into nearby streets with people abandoning their cars. |
| People at the nearby Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield were told to stay put and not to attempt to leave the mall after flooding left roads gridlocked. The centre had been due to hold its Christmas Live event and switch on its festive lights. | |
| South Yorkshire police said on Twitter: “All roads around Meadowhall are currently gridlocked. There is heavy flooding due to adverse weather conditions and closures are in place. Please avoid the area.” | |
| The unit added: “If you are in Meadowhall, do not leave the shopping centre – await further updates. If you are travelling to collect people, do not attempt your journey. Await updates as we work to ensure safety of people in the immediate vicinity.” Motorists were being turned back to the centre’s massive car parks. | |
| Centre bosses issued a statement after earlier saying the Christmas event would still go ahead: “Due to the adverse weather and the subsequent impact on the public transport it is with regret that the Christmas Live event has been cancelled.” | |
| Thousands had headed to the centre, just off the M1 for the event which was due to feature acts including Ella Henderson, Tom Zanetti and Jonas Blue. South Yorkshire police said they had closed the nearby junction 34 of the M1 in both directions to “alleviate pressure”. | |
| The centre flooded before in 2007 when the river burst its banks, inundating large parts of Sheffield. | The centre flooded before in 2007 when the river burst its banks, inundating large parts of Sheffield. |
| On Thursday evening train services were also affected by flooding across the Pennines and South Yorkshire, and tram services between Rotherham and Sheffield were also hit by the bad weather. | On Thursday evening train services were also affected by flooding across the Pennines and South Yorkshire, and tram services between Rotherham and Sheffield were also hit by the bad weather. |
| The Met Office issued an amber warning for heavy rain until 6am on Friday for an area between Sheffield, Manchester and Bradford. | The Met Office issued an amber warning for heavy rain until 6am on Friday for an area between Sheffield, Manchester and Bradford. |
| It has also issued yellow warnings for surrounding regions stating 40mm (1.5in) of rain had fallen in the Sheffield area between midnight and noon on Thursday. | It has also issued yellow warnings for surrounding regions stating 40mm (1.5in) of rain had fallen in the Sheffield area between midnight and noon on Thursday. |
| Sheffield city council said there were seven roads closed in the city due to flooding and the Millhouses public park had also been closed due to concerns over the rising level of the River Sheaf. | Sheffield city council said there were seven roads closed in the city due to flooding and the Millhouses public park had also been closed due to concerns over the rising level of the River Sheaf. |
| Chris Wilding, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, advised people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water. | Chris Wilding, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, advised people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water. |
| He added: “Just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car. Our incident rooms are open and we are working closely with local authorities and partners to reduce the risk of flooding. Our field teams are ready to deploy temporary flood barriers to help protect people and property if needed.” | He added: “Just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car. Our incident rooms are open and we are working closely with local authorities and partners to reduce the risk of flooding. Our field teams are ready to deploy temporary flood barriers to help protect people and property if needed.” |
| Rail firm Northern issued “do not travel” advice for passengers using three routes. They said flooding had closed the lines between Sheffield and Gainsborough, Sheffield and Lincoln and Hebden Bridge and Manchester Victoria. | Rail firm Northern issued “do not travel” advice for passengers using three routes. They said flooding had closed the lines between Sheffield and Gainsborough, Sheffield and Lincoln and Hebden Bridge and Manchester Victoria. |
| The firm said that roads are also closed in the corresponding areas, meaning “customers should not attempt to travel”. | The firm said that roads are also closed in the corresponding areas, meaning “customers should not attempt to travel”. |
| Meanwhile, South Yorkshire police issued alerts including one that said: “Please adjust your driving to suit the extreme conditions during the next 24 hours. We have more rain forecast and many roads have standing water which varies in depth, so please drive with caution and reduce speed to allow time to react.” | Meanwhile, South Yorkshire police issued alerts including one that said: “Please adjust your driving to suit the extreme conditions during the next 24 hours. We have more rain forecast and many roads have standing water which varies in depth, so please drive with caution and reduce speed to allow time to react.” |
| The Environment Agency has issued 25 flood warnings, mainly in the Yorkshire region, and 84 flood alerts. | The Environment Agency has issued 25 flood warnings, mainly in the Yorkshire region, and 84 flood alerts. |