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Flooding in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham Flooding in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham
(about 3 hours later)
Over 200 homes have been flooded and train services disrupted as heavy rain continues across parts of the UK. More than 300 homes have been flooded and train services disrupted as heavy rain continues across parts of the UK.
About 80 areas in England and Wales are being warned to expect flooding, with northern England the worst affected. Hundreds of people are facing a night in temporary accommodation as 80 Environment Agency flood warnings remain in place.
Some areas could see 50mm (2in) of rain - an average fortnight's worth - by the day's end, the Met Office said. Some areas were expected to see 50mm (2in) of rain - an average fortnight's worth - in a day, the Met Office said.
Elsewhere, flooding has closed sections of major roads, with href="/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-19708285" title="Flooding traps 100 drivers on A1" >more than 100 vehicles trapped on a 30-mile stretch of the A1 in North Yorkshire. Transport was disrupted with part of the A1 closed in North Yorkshire and the East Coast mainline hit.
The road is expected to stay shut in both directions between junction 49 (Dishforth) and junction 60 (Bradbury) for most of Tuesday. href="/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-19708285" title="Flooding traps 100 drivers on A1" >More than 100 vehicles were trapped on a 30-mile stretch of the A1 between junction 49 (Dishforth) and junction 60 (Bradbury), which remains closed.
A search of the River Swale near Catterick following reports of a person in the water has been completed. North Yorkshire Police say the object spotted in the water by a member of the public was probably a yellow flotation device. Among the areas worst hit by flooding were Morpeth, Durham, Rothbury, Northumberland, and Stockton on Tees.
In href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-19710257" >Morpeth, Northumberland, homes were evacuated and 37 residents rescued by fire services because of flooding on the River Wansbeck and there are reports of travel disruption. Some 19 elderly residents at a council care home in Gilling West, North Yorkshire, had to be carried to safety by firefighters after it became swamped by 3ft (1m) of water.
In the West Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge, which flooded twice in the summer, the river levels are rising, prompting fears of fresh flooding. Homes have not been evacuated but the Environment Agency said it had teams and pumps on standby to tackle flooding. In England, the Environment Agency issued href="http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/31618.aspx" >79 flood warnings - indicating flooding is expected - for the Midlands, the North East and North West. There is one in place for Wales. There are 140 less serious flood alerts - indicating flooding is possible - for many parts of England and Wales.
href="/news/uk-england-tees-19710591" title="Downpours lead to flooding chaos" >Cleveland Police have declared a major incident due to weather conditions, with around 29 properties in Stockton evacuated by the emergency services as water levels rose to around four feet. In Scotland, there are href="http://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/" >seven flood warnings, mostly for the Borders, while in Northern Ireland there is no flood warning system but the Met Office has warned of persistent rain and gales.
Durham Police advised employers to let staff leave work early to minimise the disruption during rush hour, while Northumbria Police also advised commuters to stagger their journeys.
In England, the Environment Agency has issued 82 flood warnings - indicating flooding is expected - for the Midlands, the North East and North West. There is one in place for Wales.
There are 150 less serious flood alerts - indicating flooding is possible - for many parts of England and Wales.
In Scotland, there are 10 flood warnings, mostly for the Borders, while in Northern Ireland there is no flood warning system but the Met Office has warned of persistent rain and gales.
In other developments:In other developments:
David Jordan, director of operations at the Environment Agency, said: "Our teams have been out around the clock over the last few days to minimise the risks and prepare for flooding. Schools in some areas were advised to close early, employers were urged to send staff home early and commuters were asked to stagger their journeys to alleviate problems on the struggling transport network.
"We urge people to keep up to date with the weather forecast and remain prepared for flooding in their area, sign up to receive free flood warnings and stay away from dangerous flood water." David Jordan, director of operations at the Environment Agency, said: "We urge people to keep up to date with the weather forecast and remain prepared for flooding in their area, sign up to receive free flood warnings and stay away from dangerous flood water."
Flooding minister Richard Benyon offered his support to local MPs in helping affected areas recover.
He said: "Right now we need to let the Environment Agency and emergency services get on with their jobs and I'd like to thank them for the tireless work they are doing to keep people safe and reduce the risk of further flooding."
The Met Office has issued amber severe weather warnings, a warning to be prepared for severe weather, in the East Midlands; north-east England; north-west England; Wales; West Midlands; and Yorkshire and Humber.The Met Office has issued amber severe weather warnings, a warning to be prepared for severe weather, in the East Midlands; north-east England; north-west England; Wales; West Midlands; and Yorkshire and Humber.
Less severe yellow warnings - indicating that people should be aware - are in place for much of the rest of the UK.Less severe yellow warnings - indicating that people should be aware - are in place for much of the rest of the UK.
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On Monday, some parts of Britain experienced the equivalent of a month's rainfall in 24 hours on Monday and 70mph winds, causing disruption and lengthy delays to rail services in the South West, the Midlands, northern England and Wales. Parts of North Wales and northern England were expected to get 25mm to 50mm (1in to 2in) of rain during Tuesday.
Some areas saw up to 50mm of rain up to 18:00 BST, and a further 25mm to midnight, with 5mm falling every hour in many areas. Among the worst hit was Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, which had 89mm (3.5in) in 24 hours and more than 100mm (4in) since Sunday.
The Met Office says the average monthly rainfall varies across the UK but in London the September average is 49mm, for Plymouth it is 78mm, Yorkshire 74mm, Ayrshire 131mm, Londonderry 94mm and Northumberland 74mm. Meanwhile, an inquest was opened at West London Coroner's Court into the death of a woman struck by a falling tree branch in Kew Gardens on Sunday.
On Sunday, a 30-year-old woman died at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, south-west London, after being hit by a falling tree branch. New Zealand-born account manager Erena Wilson, 31, from London, died instantly when she was hit by the branch while walking in the gardens with friends.
The heavy rain in the UK this week is due to an area of low pressure which has moved north across the country from the Bay of Biscay and is now off the north-east coast, forecasters say.The heavy rain in the UK this week is due to an area of low pressure which has moved north across the country from the Bay of Biscay and is now off the north-east coast, forecasters say.
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Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
Temperature tab onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
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