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Storm Christoph: Flood warnings in parts of England | Storm Christoph: Flood warnings in parts of England |
(about 1 hour later) | |
In Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, residents have prepared their homes and businesses ahead of the heavy rain | In Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, residents have prepared their homes and businesses ahead of the heavy rain |
A major incident has been declared in South Yorkshire as Storm Christoph is set to bring widespread flooding to parts of England. | A major incident has been declared in South Yorkshire as Storm Christoph is set to bring widespread flooding to parts of England. |
The Met Office issued an amber weather warning for rain in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West, East Midlands and the east of England. | The Met Office issued an amber weather warning for rain in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West, East Midlands and the east of England. |
The Environment Agency said the combination of heavy rain and snowmelt created a "volatile situation". | The Environment Agency said the combination of heavy rain and snowmelt created a "volatile situation". |
Sandbags were laid in at-risk areas, with up to 70mm (2.75in) of rain due. | Sandbags were laid in at-risk areas, with up to 70mm (2.75in) of rain due. |
In isolated spots, particularly in the northern Peak District and parts of the southern Pennines, 200mm (7.87in) could be possible. | In isolated spots, particularly in the northern Peak District and parts of the southern Pennines, 200mm (7.87in) could be possible. |
Sandbags have been used to help defend homes in Fishlake, Doncaster, which suffered devastating floods in November 2019 | Sandbags have been used to help defend homes in Fishlake, Doncaster, which suffered devastating floods in November 2019 |
In the amber warning area, the Met Office said there was a "danger to life" due to fast-flowing or deep floodwater, and told some communities they could be "cut off" by flooded roads. | In the amber warning area, the Met Office said there was a "danger to life" due to fast-flowing or deep floodwater, and told some communities they could be "cut off" by flooded roads. |
It also predicted delays and cancellations to public transport, with the amber warning in place until 12:00 GMT on Thursday. | It also predicted delays and cancellations to public transport, with the amber warning in place until 12:00 GMT on Thursday. |
BBC Weather | BBC Weather |
Ros Jones, mayor of Doncaster, said key risk areas had been inspected over the past 36 hours, with the delivery of sandbags continuing on Tuesday. | Ros Jones, mayor of Doncaster, said key risk areas had been inspected over the past 36 hours, with the delivery of sandbags continuing on Tuesday. |
"I do not want people to panic, but flooding is possible so please be prepared," she said. | "I do not want people to panic, but flooding is possible so please be prepared," she said. |
Storm Christoph hits the UK | Storm Christoph hits the UK |
The Environment Agency issued 16 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected and immediate action required, covering parts of Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Merseyside, Staffordshire and Northamptonshire as of 12:00 GMT on Tuesday. | |
A further 110 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, were issued across northern England, the Midlands and the east. | A further 110 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, were issued across northern England, the Midlands and the east. |
River levels in the Ouse, which flows through York in North Yorkshire, are high before the arrival of Storm Christoph | River levels in the Ouse, which flows through York in North Yorkshire, are high before the arrival of Storm Christoph |
Catherine Wright, acting executive director for flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, said: "That rain is falling on very wet ground and so we are very concerned that it's a very volatile situation and we are expecting significant flooding to occur on the back of that weather." | Catherine Wright, acting executive director for flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, said: "That rain is falling on very wet ground and so we are very concerned that it's a very volatile situation and we are expecting significant flooding to occur on the back of that weather." |
She said the agency would be working with local authorities to help with evacuation efforts should a severe flood warning be issued, adding: "If you do need to evacuate then that is allowed within the Covid rules the government has." | |
Work took place on Tuesday morning to increase defences near the River Ouse | |
Discussing the different levels of flood warnings, she said: "If you receive a flood alert, please pack valuables like medicines and insurance documents in a bag ready to go. | Discussing the different levels of flood warnings, she said: "If you receive a flood alert, please pack valuables like medicines and insurance documents in a bag ready to go. |
"If you receive a flood warning, please move valuables and precious possessions upstairs and be ready to turn off gas, electricity and water. | "If you receive a flood warning, please move valuables and precious possessions upstairs and be ready to turn off gas, electricity and water. |
"If you receive a severe flood warning, which means you will be evacuated, please listen out and take heed of the advice from the local emergency services." | "If you receive a severe flood warning, which means you will be evacuated, please listen out and take heed of the advice from the local emergency services." |
Barry Greenwood, from West Yorkshire's Upper Calder Valley Flood Prevention Group, said he felt "sick" with worry. | Barry Greenwood, from West Yorkshire's Upper Calder Valley Flood Prevention Group, said he felt "sick" with worry. |
"I went round after the last [flood], people were there with their head in their hands, thinking 'what am I going to do now?'," he said. | "I went round after the last [flood], people were there with their head in their hands, thinking 'what am I going to do now?'," he said. |
The amber rain warning is in place until Thursday, with yellow warnings covering most of the UK coming in over the next three days | The amber rain warning is in place until Thursday, with yellow warnings covering most of the UK coming in over the next three days |
A yellow rain alert is also in place for Wales, Northern Ireland, central and northern England and southern Scotland on Tuesday. | A yellow rain alert is also in place for Wales, Northern Ireland, central and northern England and southern Scotland on Tuesday. |
This yellow warning extends to the rest of England from Wednesday, with a yellow alert for snow and ice in north east Scotland. | This yellow warning extends to the rest of England from Wednesday, with a yellow alert for snow and ice in north east Scotland. |
Highways England advised drivers to take extra care on motorways and major A roads, while the RAC breakdown service said motorists should only drive if absolutely necessary. | Highways England advised drivers to take extra care on motorways and major A roads, while the RAC breakdown service said motorists should only drive if absolutely necessary. |
Drivers faced wet road conditions and reduced visibility on the A1(M) near Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, on Tuesday morning | Drivers faced wet road conditions and reduced visibility on the A1(M) near Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, on Tuesday morning |
Hebden Bridge's volunteer flood warden Keith Crabtree has been monitoring the river levels of Hebden Beck closely | Hebden Bridge's volunteer flood warden Keith Crabtree has been monitoring the river levels of Hebden Beck closely |