This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-18557579#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Homes evacuated due to flooding in Lancashire Homes evacuated as flooding affects Croston and Darwen
(about 6 hours later)
Residents in the Lancashire towns of Croston and Darwen have been evacuated from their homes after nearby rivers burst their banks.Residents in the Lancashire towns of Croston and Darwen have been evacuated from their homes after nearby rivers burst their banks.
The Environment Agency (EA) said "a month's rain" was predicted to fall in 24 hours and scores of flood warnings have been issued for northern England. The Environment Agency (EA) said "a month's rain" had fallen in 24 hours and scores of flood warnings have been issued for northern England.
The EA said the local authority in Croston had distributed sandbags after the River Yarrow burst its banks. Sandbags have been distributed in Croston after the River Yarrow burst its banks, the EA said.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said 40 properties were "at risk". Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service received over 400 calls in 12 hours.
"Croston has been cut off, the roads in and out," an EA spokeswoman said."Croston has been cut off, the roads in and out," an EA spokeswoman said.
She added that there had been reports of floods across Oldham, Wigan and near the River Darwen. Mela moved
Evacuation centres She said there had been reports of floods across Oldham, Wigan and near the River Darwen.
Andrew Edmundsen, landlord of the local Black Horse pub in Croston, said: "At the moment we are an island. All three roads that lead in are flooded. If you're in you're in, if you're out you're out." Andrew Edmundsen, landlord of the local Black Horse pub in Croston, said: "At the moment we are an island.
Evacuation centres have been set up in Darwen and Bacup. Some residents of Duckworth Road in Darwen have been taken to the local leisure centre. "All three roads that lead in are flooded. If you're in you're in, if you're out you're out."
Northern Rail has been operating rail replacement bus services between Salford and Wigan and Rochdale and Hebden Bridge. The wet weather has affected the Preston Mela, which was due to be held in Avenham Park on Sunday, but will now take place at the Guild Hall in Preston.
John Barrowman's concert on the Tower Headland in Blackpool has also been cancelled.
Heavy rain and 50mph winds on Friday also led to the cancellation of Olympic Torch relay events in Lancashire.Heavy rain and 50mph winds on Friday also led to the cancellation of Olympic Torch relay events in Lancashire.
Blackpool Tower 'Really nasty'
The outdoor evening celebration of the lighting of the Olympic Torch cauldron due to be held at the Headlands Festival on Blackpool Promenade had to be moved to the Blackpool Tower's famous ballroom.The outdoor evening celebration of the lighting of the Olympic Torch cauldron due to be held at the Headlands Festival on Blackpool Promenade had to be moved to the Blackpool Tower's famous ballroom.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for rain affecting North West England, East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, West Midlands, Northern Ireland, South West Scotland Lothian Borders, Strathclyde, Central, Tayside and Fife, and Wales.The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for rain affecting North West England, East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, West Midlands, Northern Ireland, South West Scotland Lothian Borders, Strathclyde, Central, Tayside and Fife, and Wales.
It also warned of severe conditions for parts of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire. Up to 50-60mm (2-2.4in) of rainfall is expected and in some places that could rise to 100mm (4in).It also warned of severe conditions for parts of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire. Up to 50-60mm (2-2.4in) of rainfall is expected and in some places that could rise to 100mm (4in).
BBC Weather presenter Helen Willets said there had been in excess of 100mm of rain in north west England on Friday, with some "really nasty conditions" still to come.BBC Weather presenter Helen Willets said there had been in excess of 100mm of rain in north west England on Friday, with some "really nasty conditions" still to come.