Tuesday 27 November 2012

Weather: Northern England Hit By Flooding - Sky News

The heavy rain that has brought misery to thousands has spread from the South West to North Wales and Northern England.

There are almost 200 flood warnings in place across England and Wales and nearly 300 less serious flood alerts following a weekend of almost non-stop pouring rain that left at least 800 homes swamped with water.

There are also two flood alerts are in place in Scotland - in the Scottish borders and Edinburgh and Lothians.

Autumn weather November 26th
A soldier carries a sandbag in Catterick, North Yorkshire

Parts of South West England were particularly badly hit, now people in the North and North Wales are struggling to keeps floods at bay as an inch of rain fell across parts of Cumbria, Durham and North Yorkshire on Monday.

A further 25 to 35mm is expected over north-east England overnight.

Sky's weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "North Wales will be another area that will see rainfall amounts really adding up, with 60mm possible by tomorrow morning.

Autumn weather November 26th
Residents load sandbags onto a trolley elsewhere in the town

"Tuesday will turn drier at last, as the rain eases south across England and Wales during the morning."

In North Yorkshire, residents of Richmondshire have been offered emergency sandbags to protect their homes from floodwater.

On the outskirts of Darlington, County Durham, the River Skerne was reported to have burst its banks, while pumps were being used to keep parts of the A66 open in the area.

Flash Floods Have Caused Chaos In The South West
A man rows through a car park in Keynsham, Somerset

Days of rain and strong winds have left three people dead, forced hundreds from their homes and brought chaos to the roads.

A 21-year-old woman was killed in Western Way, Exeter, after becoming trapped under a fallen tree which injured two others.

Inspector Andrew Webber of Devon and Cornwall Police told Sky News that the dead woman had been living in a small tent sheltered against a wall at the roadside.

The tree that fell down in Exeter that killed a 21 year old woman
A homeless woman died after being crushed by a tree in Exeter

"It was a very large oak tree that had been there for ... many years. Obviously we've had lots of heavy weather, it's been raining an awful lot, and the tree for whatever reason came down."

Her death follows that of a man on Thursday, who died when his car became wedged under a bridge near a ford in Rectory Fields, Chew Stoke, Somerset.

A 50-year-old man, named as Kevin Wilkinson, also died after falling into a canal in Watford on Saturday.

David Dunn
The man pulled from his car by David Dunn

Thousands of motorists have had to be rescued from water-logged roads over the past few days.

The dramatic moment that David Dunn rescued a pensioner from his car was caught on camera.

The elderly man had driven into deep flood water in Keynsham, Somerset, on Sunday, and his vehicle began floating down a swollen river.

Mr Dunn and his son Cameron drove their vehicle into the water and pulled him through the car's window. The pensioner was wet and shaken but otherwise unhurt.

Autumn weather November 25th
A car is partially submerged in standing water in Ruishton, Somerset

Northamptonshire Police said another pensioner had to rescued from his car after becoming trapped in flood waters under a railway bridge.

He was spotted by a passer-by who told police that the water was level with his sun visor.

A police spokesman said officers found the car and rescued the man, who received medical treatment and was later arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

Autumn weather November 25th
Homes are left flooded on Cheats Road in Ruishton

Some reports have suggested that homeowners in flood-prone areas are at risk of losing insurance cover unless the Government steps in to help the industry.

But Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has derided reports that the Government was struggling to secure a new deal with flood insurers for vulnerable homes as "complete nonsense".

Both the RAC and AA breakdown services reported surges in flood-related call-outs as roads and highways across the country have been closed due to perilous standing water.

Flash Floods Cause Chaos In The South West
Hay bales stand in flood water in fields surrounding the Glastonbury Tor

But that has not deterred many motorists from taking their chances.

In Warwickshire three people became stranded on the roof of a four-wheel drive after deciding to go off-road driving.

Police issued a post on Twitter to say the men had been shouting abuse at those who tried to come to their aid. They were eventually rescued by boat.

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