Brits have been battered by torrential rain with nearly a FOOT of downpours expected in the coming days, as danger-to-life floods grip parts of the country.
On Thursday, around 500 homes were evacuated from the Scottish border town of Hawick, while in Cumbria, the River Cocker burst its banks.
Hours later, two road bridges were “washed away” in Dumfries and Galloway, as heavy rain and floods disrupted travel across southern Scotland and north west England.
A separate yellow warning of rain for south-west England was in place from 3pm on Thursday until 9am – while another warning in Wales lasts until 3pm today.
Read our flood tracker live blog below for the latest alerts…
- Joseph Gamp
Clear up underway but more rain on way for flooded areas
Rain-lashed towns and villages are beginning a clear-up after floods hit Cumbria and southern Scotland, with more rain on the way.
Two bridges were washed away, around 40 properties flooded, homes evacuated and roads and rail transport all disrupted following very heavy downpours on Thursday and into Friday.
Cockermouth Mountain Rescue in Cumbria also had to rescue two tourists and their dog from chest-high floodwater in Southwaite Mill, Cumbria, on Thursday.
While the rain has eased, 17 flood warnings and 17 flood alerts remain in place and more autumnal weather is forecast, though rivers are believed to be "levelling out".
No reports of flooding were received overnight.
- Joseph Gamp
Potential risk to life and property, travel disruption and power cuts
An amber Met Office warning for rain – indicating potential risk to life and property, travel disruption and power cuts – is in force for much of Cumbria on Thursday.
“In a 24-hour period you could see a month’s worth of rain,” said Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth on Wednesday night.
A less serious yellow rain warning extends into Lancashire, parts of Yorkshire, southern Scotland and most of Wales.
- Joseph Gamp
Explained: What does life-threatening flooding mean?
It means persistent, heavy rain leading to flooding and disruption.
People could also expect:
- Homes and businesses flooded and damage to some buildings
- Danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater
- Delays or cancellations to train and bus services
- Spray and flooding leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Some communities cut off by flooded roads
- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
- Joseph Gamp
Pictured: Cylcist wades throuhg knee deep waters in Cumbria
A man is pictured carrying his bike through knew deep floodwaters in Cumbria.
It comes after parts of the region saw over 350mm of rain in just 38 hours.
The A592 near Windermere was also pictured with abandoned cars scattered all over the road as emergency services arrived to rescue the stranded motorists.
- Joseph Gamp
Environment Agency warns motorists: ‘Don’t risk driving through floodwater’
England’s Environment Agency has told drivers“don’t risk driving through floodwater”.
It wrote on Twitter: “It’s deeper than it looks, and just 30cm of water can float your car.”
In Glasgow, videos posted on social media showed cars stranded in water which swamped city streets.
The Environment Agency warned people in Cumbria to remain vigilant due to the continued risk of significant flooding over the weekend. It said 40 properties have already been flooded.
- Joseph Gamp
New yellow weather warning in place
A further warnings has been issued for heavy rain in Scotland, north west England and North Wales.
The new yellow weather warning comes into force from 3am on Sunday and will finish on Monday a 6am.
It comes as the UK battens down for five days of extreme weather.
More information in the Met Office tweet below.
- Joseph Gamp
Get home insurance
Kate Devine, home insurance spokesperson at MoneySuperMarket said: “It is always important to have a home insurance policy in place, but particularly if your home is at risk of flooding.
"Insurers cannot refuse cover for homes that are in flood risk areas, as long as the government still fund local flood defences."
Take the time now to check if your home insurance policy covers the cost of any restoration and repairs to contents and homes in the event of a flood and if not it might be worth investing, especially if you live in a high risk area.
Kate also explained to The Sun that trying to scoot your insurance along on the cheapest possible deal may not provide the right cover for what you need – you can still opt for a low costs but make sure you're not missing out on protections.
She also said: "If your home is damaged by floods, it may be worth considering whether or not to claim on your building insurance, if the flood damage is only mild… Covering the repair costs yourself, where possible, can keep your no-claims bonus whilst avoiding paying any excess.
"In the future, this may also help keep your premium costs to a minimum. If your insurance provider offers flood insurance as part of the Flood Re scheme, then you will need to pay a £250 excess fee to cover any loss or damage claims that are caused."
- Joseph Gamp
What to expect from an amber warning
Persistent, heavy rain could lead to flooding and disruption.
According to the Met Office there is a risk of the following:
- Homes and businesses flooded and damage to some buildings
- Danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater
- Delays or cancellations to train and bus services
- Spray and flooding leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Some communities cut off by flooded roads
- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
Nine things you should do to protect your home
FLOOD damage can be a costly affair in your home, but mother nature isn't going to be the one worrying about the value of your belongings.
Flooding, and nearly a foot of downpours are expected in the coming days, so it's a good idea to get clued up on preventative and money-saving measures for the sake of your belongings.
Aviva’s latest flood mapping data shows that one in five homes are currently at risk of at least one type of flooding.
Read more on our tips here.
But there are a number of things you can do before and after a flood to make sure you're not forking out too much on the post-damage control.
- Joseph Gamp
Environment Agency flood manager tells Lake District residents to 'stay alert'
Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Working with our partners in local resilience forums, teams have been out on the ground clearing waste grilles and screens, and stand ready to operate flood defences if needed.
"They are also ready to support local authorities in their response to surface water flooding.
“We are urging residents and visitors, especially holidaymakers in the Lake District, to stay alert and check their flood risk."
- Joseph Gamp
Bad weather could taper off this evening
His colleague Paul Gundersen said the poor weather will begin to taper off at long last this evening.
“The rain is likely to become more showery and less persistent, albeit still heavy at times, during Thursday night and perhaps Friday morning, with a separate warning still in force at that time," he said.
“These amounts of rainfall present a real threat of flooding and people should keep a close eye on flood warnings from the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and SEPA.
"There may be some disruption to transport, with some difficult driving conditions and possible road closures. Stay up to date with the forecast in your area on the Met Office website or via our mobile app.”
- Joseph Gamp
Met Office says rainfall exceptional for this time of year
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said the rainfall is unusually severe.
"These are exceptional rainfall totals for even the wettest part of the UK, which is Cumbria on average, and for the wettest part of the year," he said.
- Joseph Gamp
Mapped: Yellow weather warnings for rain
A large portion of the UK is still unfder yellow weather warnings for rain.
It includes the the south west of Scotland, Lancashire, Wales and South-West England.
More advice can be found on the Met Office website here.
- Joseph Gamp
Glasgow hit by weather bomb days before COP26
Glasgow has also been hit by the weather bomb – just three days before the city hosts world leaders at COP26.
Motorists have been stranded in floodwater, while other drivers have abandoned their cars on central reservations to escape the worst of the damage.
Five weather warnings were in place yesterday – two of which were classed as 'severe'.
One amber warning was in place for south-west Scotland until this morning, while a second covering Cumbria, much of Wales and Lancashire is in force until midnight.
- Joseph Gamp
Cockermouth badly hit by rain and floods
The Cumbrian town of Cockermouth saw hours of heavy rainfall and around 40 properties were swamped by water in the county after heavy downpours.
Cumbria was pounded with rain yesterday (Thurs) and overnight, causing overflowing rivers, flooded streets and businesses underwater.
The town of Cockermouth needed emergency responders to rescue residents from their waterlogged homes.
Volunteers from local emergency response groups were waist deep in thrashing water as they guided lifeboats through submerged streets.
- Joseph Gamp
November 3/1 to be wettest ON RECORD
NEXT MONTH COULD GO DOWN as the wettest November on record, according to Ladbrokes.
With even more wet and miserable weather on the way, the bookies have slashed odds from 5/1 to just 3/1 on next month being the wettest November EVER.
Elsewhere, 5/4 says this month plays host to a record-breaking wet Halloween in the UK.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "It's looking more likely than ever that next month goes down as a record-breaking wet November, with flood warnings being issued throughout the UK."
- Joseph Gamp
Holidaymakers in Lake District urged to stay alert
Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said they are: “working with our partners in local resilience forums, Environment Agency teams have been out on the ground clearing waste grilles and screens, and stand ready to operate flood defences if needed.
“They are also ready to support local authorities in their response to surface water flooding.
“We are urging residents and visitors, especially holidaymakers in the Lake District, to stay alert and check their flood risk by signing up for free flood warnings on the Gov.uk website and via @EnvAgency on Twitter, which offer the latest updates.”
- Joseph Gamp
Honister Pass saw a foot of rain in just 33 hours
Honister Pass in Cumbria has also seen an extraordinary 13 inches of rain – more than a foot – fall in just 33 hours.
Cumbria Police urged everyone in the county – including thousands of families on their half-term break – to only travel if necessary.
Some major roads have seen extensive flooding, including the A591 between Rydal and Grasmere.
- Joseph Gamp
Yellow weather warning for south west England in place til 9am
A yellow warning of rain for south-west England applies from 3pm on Thursday until 9am on Friday while one is already in force in Wales and lasts until 3pm on Friday.
Cumbria Police warned some roads may be impassable, while at around 6am on Thursday South Lakes police tweeted the A591 Rydal to Grasmere road was not passable "due to the depth of flood waters in several locations" and urged people not to take unnecessary risks and only to travel if they really need to.
Scotland's transport minister Graeme Dey said: "The conditions could potentially bring disruption to the trunk road and rail networks, so it's important people plan their journeys before they set off.
"Motorists should make sure their routes are available, follow travel advice from Police Scotland and drive to the conditions."
- Joseph Gamp
Evacuation halted as residents told to return home
An evacuation of homes has been halted with residents advised they are safe to return and a rest centre closed.
The major incident was stood down after Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) indicated the River Teviot reached a peak of 2.9m at 7.30pm and is now expected to steadily recede.
Schools and a health centre in the town were closed earlier along with schools in Peebles which was also hit by flooding as the River Tweed burst its banks.
The Scottish Borders Council said: "The evacuation of residents has now ceased and members of the public are being advised that they are safe to return to their homes."
- Joseph Gamp
Cross border rail line closed as bridges 'washed away' from flooding
A cross-border rail line remains closed after two road bridges were "washed away" amid torrential rain.
Network Rail Scotland said the bridges spanned the River Annan, north of the railway with trains unable to pass over a viaduct, closing the Dumfries to Carlisle line.
It tweeted: "Two road bridges have been washed away on the river Annan, north of the railway.
"We're unable to allow trains to pass over the Annan Viaduct pending a daylight safety inspection.
"The line between Dumfries and Carlisle will remain closed until further notice."
The incident happened after a major incident was declared in Hawick in the Scottish Borders with up to 500 properties feared to be at risk of flooding.
- Milica Cosic
Explained: What is flooding and why does it happen?
When there’s too much water, or if the water’s in the wrong place, it causes a problem that’s called flooding.
In the UK, people are sometimes forced out of their homes when lots of rain has fallen in a short space of time and caused a flood.
There are many different types of flooding, and some of the most common ones are:
- Coastal flooding
- River flooding
- Groundwater flooding
- Flash floods
Because the UK gets a lot of rain and sometimes it’s really heavy, normally the soil and plants act like a giant sponge. However, sometimes the sponge effect doesn’t work because the ground is already very wet.
When that happens, all the rain tries to get into the river at the same time. If the river isn’t big enough to handle the water there will be a flood.
'Autumn is very much with us'
Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall said: "Autumn is very much with us across the UK through this week, turning a lot more unsettled over the next few days.
Residents and visitors and especially holidaymakers in the Lake District have been urged to stay alert and check their flood risk.
You can do so by signing up for free flood warnings on the Gov.uk website and via the @EnvAgency on Twitter.
FOOT of downpours expected in coming days
Brits have been battered by torrential rain with nearly a FOOT of downpours expected in the coming days as danger-to-life floods grip parts of the country.
A total of five weather warnings are in place today – two of which are categorised as "severe."
Persistent, heavy rain has led to flooding and disruption, and a danger to life warning has been issued as Brits are warned to stay away from fast-flowing or deep floodwater.
Trains and bus services are expected to be delayed and cancelled – while some communities will be cut off by the floodwater.
Rainfall much higher than the average
Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: "The rainfall total is much higher than the average rainfall for this time of year, definitely, and in general, for any time of year it's a lot of rainfall in a short period of time."
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