Month’s worth of rain triggers widespread floods across northern and central England
Widespread floods hit parts of northern and central England following heavy rains on November 7, 2019. The downpour was reportedly equivalent to a month's worth of rain, prompting evacuations to hundreds of residents.
According to the Environment Agency, the highest rainfall was recorded in Swineshaw in the district of Peak, with 112 mm (4 inches) in the same period.
"Some places have seen a month's worth of rain in one day," Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said.
As of Friday, November 8, the agency reported that 117 flood warnings are in place, as well as five severe warnings near Don River.
Around 30 people who got stranded due to bad weather had to stay overnight in the Meadowhall shopping center in Sheffield.
All roads around Meadowhall are currently gridlocked.
There is heavy flooding due to adverse weather conditions and closures are in place. Please avoid the area.
Events at Meadowhall are CANCELLED.
*We advise only essential travel* pic.twitter.com/A2nLpOXfmQ
— SYP Ops Support (@SYPOperations) November 7, 2019
In South Yorkshire, fire and rescue service said their control operators took around 1 200 emergency calls in a 24-hour period to November 8, mostly fro people trapped in vehicles or their homes.
Rescue teams saved over 120 people, including those stranded from a shopping center and nearby retail outlets in Rotherham.
Our crews rescued over 100 people last night, with the support of colleagues from other services such as @manchesterfire and @WestMidsFire.
On top of this, our control room took around 500 calls between 10pm and 4am.
Our work isn't done yet, though. Be careful out there folks! pic.twitter.com/JRLWlepJ8a
— South Yorkshire Fire (@SYFR) November 8, 2019
Floods hit the city of Sheffield, where Don River burst after 85 mm (3 inches) of rain.
The River Don in Doncaster has burst its banks. The environment agency has issued 5 severe flood warnings for the area. pic.twitter.com/arb5CDauPp
— Rob Windscheffel (@RWindscheffel) November 8, 2019
The Doncaster Council warned people to evacuate their homes on November 8. Previously, floods swept through homes in the nearby village of Whiston when the Whiston Brook burst its banks.
Dearne River also triggered flooding in the Barnsley area, including Darton, Lundwood, and Low Valley.
DO NOT TRAVEL Flooding has closed the lines between Sheffield and Gainsborough, Sheffield and Lincoln and Hebden Bridge and Manchester Victoria- and roads are also closed meaning customers should not attempt to travel. pic.twitter.com/m7pnyLionJ
— Northern (@northernassist) November 7, 2019
In Nottinghamshire, a landslide induced by heavy rain occurred in a residential area in Mansfield on November 7. At least 35 homes were affected, leading residents to evacuate. No injuries were reported.
There was an increase in water levels of the Ryton River as well. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said residents from 25 homes were displaced.
In Derbyshire, the district council has declared an emergency after the Derwent River got swollen, resulting in floods that hit Matlock and Matlock Bath.
Heavy rain and flooding are expected to further affect parts of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire.
Featured image credit: South Yorkshire Fire
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