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Floods force thousands from homes Floods force thousands from homes
(9 minutes later)
Three people have died and thousands have been forced from their homes after severe flooding hit England and Wales.Three people have died and thousands have been forced from their homes after severe flooding hit England and Wales.
About 900 people are using emergency shelters in Sheffield, and dozens more were evacuated across Lincolnshire, Shropshire and Nottinghamshire.About 900 people are using emergency shelters in Sheffield, and dozens more were evacuated across Lincolnshire, Shropshire and Nottinghamshire.
Hundreds have left villages near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, amid fears the nearby Ulley dam could collapse.Hundreds have left villages near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, amid fears the nearby Ulley dam could collapse.
A motorist is also feared to have been washed away in his car by rising water near Pershore, Worcestershire.A motorist is also feared to have been washed away in his car by rising water near Pershore, Worcestershire.
Map of affected areasMap of affected areas
Up to 25 severe flood warnings are still in place, but forecasters say the worst of the weather has passed.Up to 25 severe flood warnings are still in place, but forecasters say the worst of the weather has passed.
Other key developments:Other key developments:
  • Police have closed the M1 northbound between junctions 32 to 35, and southbound between junctions 36 and 32, because of the risk the Ulley dam poses
  • Police have closed the M1 northbound between junctions 32 to 35, and southbound between junctions 36 and 32, because of the risk the Ulley dam poses
    • Your severe weather pictures Send us your comments Your weather experiencesYour severe weather pictures Send us your comments Your weather experiences
  • Rail companies including Virgin Trains, Midland Mainline and Arriva Trains Wales have announced cancellations and amendments to their services
  • Rail companies including Virgin Trains, Midland Mainline and Arriva Trains Wales have announced cancellations and amendments to their services
  • London Fire Brigade have sent two "high volume pumps" to West Yorkshire to help with the flooding problems
  • London Fire Brigade have sent two "high volume pumps" to West Yorkshire to help with the flooding problems
  • About 20 houses have been evacuated in Ludlow, Shropshire, after the main bridge into the town collapsed, bursting a gas main
  • About 20 houses have been evacuated in Ludlow, Shropshire, after the main bridge into the town collapsed, bursting a gas main
  • A block of 120 flats in Lincoln is being evacuated by dinghy because the River Witham has begun seeping through its banks at Stamp End in the city
  • A block of 120 flats in Lincoln is being evacuated by dinghy because the River Witham has begun seeping through its banks at Stamp End in the city
  • People have also been evacuated from Worksop in Nottinghamshire, Lincoln, Louth and Waynefleet in Lincolnshire and Chesterfield in Derbyshire
  • People have also been evacuated from Worksop in Nottinghamshire, Lincoln, Louth and Waynefleet in Lincolnshire and Chesterfield in Derbyshire
  • Environment Secretary David Miliband told the House of Commons there were no reports of flood defences failing but said the government would "consider lessons learned". Local authorities would be given financial help for the clear-up, he added.
  • Environment Secretary David Miliband told the House of Commons there were no reports of flood defences failing but said the government would "consider lessons learned". Local authorities would be given financial help for the clear-up, he added.
    • 'Phenomenal' conditions'Phenomenal' conditions
    Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed his sympathy to the families of the dead and those displaced by what he described as an "extraordinary and very serious event".Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed his sympathy to the families of the dead and those displaced by what he described as an "extraordinary and very serious event".
    Tributes to dead boy href="/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/6239782.stm">Evacuation over dam fears Wales hit by floods Tributes to dead boy href="/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/6241924.stm">Dam 'stable' after burst fears Wales hit by floods
    "The immediate thing is to make sure we get the right co-ordination with the emergency services... and that we try to make sure we prevent any further loss of life," he said."The immediate thing is to make sure we get the right co-ordination with the emergency services... and that we try to make sure we prevent any further loss of life," he said.
    The Environment Agency labelled current weather conditions "phenomenal".The Environment Agency labelled current weather conditions "phenomenal".
    The agency's flood expert, Phil Rothwell, said: "We've had a sixth of the annual rainfall in 12 hours.The agency's flood expert, Phil Rothwell, said: "We've had a sixth of the annual rainfall in 12 hours.
    "Climate change experts tell us that this is the sort of thing we need to expect for the future.""Climate change experts tell us that this is the sort of thing we need to expect for the future."
    There are currently 25 severe flood warnings in place, with 16 in north east England, seven in the east of the country and two in the Midlands.There are currently 25 severe flood warnings in place, with 16 in north east England, seven in the east of the country and two in the Midlands.
    The Met Office, which forecasts the weather and works closely with the Environment Agency in dealing with floods, had issued an early warning last Friday.The Met Office, which forecasts the weather and works closely with the Environment Agency in dealing with floods, had issued an early warning last Friday.
    It had correctly predicted that 50-100mm of rain would fall in the 24 hours from 2200 BST on Sunday, with the worst-affected areas being Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.It had correctly predicted that 50-100mm of rain would fall in the 24 hours from 2200 BST on Sunday, with the worst-affected areas being Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
    Meanwhile, finance chiefs are warning that the floods will cost small businesses millions, and insurers are expecting tens of millions in claims from homeowners.Meanwhile, finance chiefs are warning that the floods will cost small businesses millions, and insurers are expecting tens of millions in claims from homeowners.
    Washed awayWashed away
    South and East Yorkshire saw some of the heaviest flooding, with thousands of homes left without power and three people dying.South and East Yorkshire saw some of the heaviest flooding, with thousands of homes left without power and three people dying.
    A 68-year-old man was killed after being swept away as he tried to cross a road in central Sheffield.A 68-year-old man was killed after being swept away as he tried to cross a road in central Sheffield.
    In a separate incident in the city a 14-year-old boy, named as Ryan Joe Parry, was killed after falling into the River Sheaf at Millhouses.In a separate incident in the city a 14-year-old boy, named as Ryan Joe Parry, was killed after falling into the River Sheaf at Millhouses.
    And 28-year-old Mike Barnett died after becoming trapped in a storm drain in Hull.And 28-year-old Mike Barnett died after becoming trapped in a storm drain in Hull.
    He had been trying to help his grandfather clear the flooded drain in the Hessle area.He had been trying to help his grandfather clear the flooded drain in the Hessle area.
    Hundreds of people have left their homes in the villages of Whiston, Canklow, and Catcliffe and Treeton, amid fears the Ulley dam could collapse.Hundreds of people have left their homes in the villages of Whiston, Canklow, and Catcliffe and Treeton, amid fears the Ulley dam could collapse.
    Buildings and roads were flooded, and trees blown down in Wales.Buildings and roads were flooded, and trees blown down in Wales.
    BBC weather forecaster Philip Avery said Tuesday would be much quieter.BBC weather forecaster Philip Avery said Tuesday would be much quieter.
    "There will be a few showers around but most of them will be light," he said."There will be a few showers around but most of them will be light," he said.
    "Long term the outlook is pretty unsettled going into the weekend but nothing of the order of what we have had.""Long term the outlook is pretty unsettled going into the weekend but nothing of the order of what we have had."
    FLOODING IN ENGLAND Humberside: Man dies after being trapped in a drainFire crews receive 1,500 emergency calls in a 12-hour periodSheffield:Teenage boy and a 68-year-old man swept to their deaths by floodwater900 people evacuated to emergency sheltersOfficials estimate "significant damage" to the citySevere disruption to road and rail transportLeeds:70 houses in Halton area evacuated5 schools closedLudlow, Shropshire:Bridge collapses severing a gas main Lowdham, Notts:100 people evacuatedLincolnshire:Nine-year old boy rescued from swollen river and 60 houses evacuated in LouthBlock of 120 flats evacuated in LincolnGloucester:5 schools remain closed due to flooding88 people rescued by fire crews, all uninjuredBideford:2ft of floodwaterM1 motorway: Closed between junctions 32 and 36Ulley reservoir, nr. Rotherham:Nearby villages evacuated over fears dam may burstFLOODING IN ENGLAND Humberside: Man dies after being trapped in a drainFire crews receive 1,500 emergency calls in a 12-hour periodSheffield:Teenage boy and a 68-year-old man swept to their deaths by floodwater900 people evacuated to emergency sheltersOfficials estimate "significant damage" to the citySevere disruption to road and rail transportLeeds:70 houses in Halton area evacuated5 schools closedLudlow, Shropshire:Bridge collapses severing a gas main Lowdham, Notts:100 people evacuatedLincolnshire:Nine-year old boy rescued from swollen river and 60 houses evacuated in LouthBlock of 120 flats evacuated in LincolnGloucester:5 schools remain closed due to flooding88 people rescued by fire crews, all uninjuredBideford:2ft of floodwaterM1 motorway: Closed between junctions 32 and 36Ulley reservoir, nr. Rotherham:Nearby villages evacuated over fears dam may burst
    Back to topBack to top
    The Environment Agency has advised people worried about flooding to call its Flood Line on 08459 881 188.The Environment Agency has advised people worried about flooding to call its Flood Line on 08459 881 188.