UK weather: ‘Danger to life’ warnings remain in place as Yorkshire braces for more rain after widespread flooding

Met Office predicts up to 60mm of rainfall near worst-affected areas from floods

Conrad Duncan
Sunday 10 November 2019 18:51 GMT
Comments
Doncaster residents struggle through flood deluge

Almost 50 flood warnings are in place across England as South Yorkshire prepares for more rain after widespread flooding wreaked havoc over the weekend.

Seven “danger to life” warnings are still in effect along the River Don, while 40 additional warnings have been issued for areas that are expected to see flooding in the coming days.

The Met Office has also issued weather warnings for rain near the worst-affected areas from recent downpours.

Many parts of Fishlake, near Doncaster, remained under 3 feet of water on Sunday and almost half of the village’s 700 residents have been forced to evacuate the area.

On Friday morning, the body of Annie Hall, the former high sheriff of Derbyshire, was found in the River Derwent after she was engulfed by floodwater in Darley Dale, near Matlock.

Luke Miall, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said further flooding is possible due to rainfall at the start of the week.

Mr Miall said up to 60mm of rainfall is expected over Monday and Tuesday, which could cause problems as the ground is already saturated after heavy downpours this weekend.

The wet weather is expected to ease by Wednesday before another warning for rain comes into effect on Thursday across South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

“Some catchments in the north are still sensitive at the moment,” Sophie Yeomans, a Met Office meteorologist, said.

Ms Yeomans added that a weather system moving across Europe will cause a “fair amount” of rainfall across England and Wales throughout the week.

Boris Johnson, the prime minister, was criticised on Saturday for saying the flooding did not qualify as a “national emergency”.

Mr Johnson visited Matlock on Friday to meet residents affected by the floods, while Labour‘s Jeremy Corbyn travelled to Conisborough, South Yorkshire, on Saturday.

Northern Railway has warned people in South Yorkshire that some train routes are likely to remain closed because of flooding until further notice.

“Inspections have taken place this morning on those routes still affected by flooding and there is still a significant amount of work required before the tracks are cleared for trains,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“While flooding in the area continues to subside, tracks in several locations remain under water, with debris and damage becoming apparent as the flood waters drain.”

The following routes are affected: Doncaster to Scunthorpe, Sheffield to Goole, Sheffield to Doncaster and Sheffield to Leeds via Moorthorpe.

Additional reporting by PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in