UK flood tracker LIVE: Hundreds evacuated & bridges WASHED AWAY as 'danger to life' weather sees major incident declared
HOMES in Hawick were evacuated after a major incident was declared due to the flood risk posed by torrential rain.
Police Scotland declared the major incident with up to 500 properties feared to be at risk of flooding.
And just 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.
Yesterday, Police Scotland Chief Inspector Vinnie Fisher said: "We have been monitoring the situation with the weather in the Borders closely as the day has progressed and we have now made the decision, alongside our partners, to declare a major incident and have begun evacuating various residents around the River Teviot from their properties.
"We are working with our colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Borders Council to safely move all of those affected and ensure they are appropriately accommodated for the time being."
He urged people to avoid travelling in the region unless "absolutely necessary".
Read our flood tracker live blog below for the latest alerts…
- Milica Cosic
Met Office Chief Meteorologist gives warning
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen, said “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.
“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.
- Milica Cosic
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
‘A serious risk to the railway’
Liam Sumpter, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: "Extreme rainfall can pose a serious risk to the railway, causing landslips or damaging our infrastructure and bridges.
"The safety of our passengers and colleagues is our main priority during periods of poor weather, and slowing services down and running fewer trains will help us manage these conditions for everyone."
- Joseph Gamp
'The power of the river shouldn't be underestimated'
Rivers in Cumbria burst their banks after torrential downpours today.
Cockermouth resident Joseph Hil witnesses the River Cocker bursting its banks.
According to Metro, he said: "I was shocked at the speed the river had risen since the night before, and very concerned as our barn that we’re renovating is entirely flooded and unreachable to assess any damage.
"The power of the river shouldn’t be underestimated. Everything was ok until it suddenly wasn’t.
"The flood defences were working well but once they failed everything was underwater in a matter of minutes."
- Joseph Gamp
‘Life threatening flooding’
The Met Office has warned of life-threatening flooding as it issued amber weather warnings for rain in parts of England and Scotland.
Glasgow – as the city prepares for the COP26 climate summit – has been deluged by heavy rain, leaving cars stranded in roads.
Meanwhile Cumbria is being lashed with “persistent and heavy rain”, which is not likely to ease until tonight, the service said.
- Joseph Gamp
Gale force winds expected this week
Gale force winds will accompany the deluge causing half-term chaos for families across the UK – though temperatures will remain mild for the time of year.
And the showers and high winds will continue into the weekend, with the wet weather coming to end on Sunday night.
But while early next week may provide some respite, WX weather charts show a rise in the likelihood of snow across parts of Scotland on November 3.
- Joseph Gamp
Four people rescued from flooded premises in Dumfries
Four people were rescued from a premises affected by the flooding on Whitesands in Dumfries, say Police Scotland.
A Fire and Rescue Service boat was launched to take the individuals to safety and all were safe and well.
Police Scotland tweeted: “Multi agency #partnershipworking tonight between #Dumfries Community Officers & @scotfire_DG as 4 adults were rescued from a flooded premises on #Whitesands in #Dumfries by a Fire and Rescue Service boat.
"All safe and well."
- Joseph Gamp
Friday morning 'to get off to a wet start' says Met Office
Torrential rain and flood warnings will continue into Friday morning.
It comes after parts of north west England and Southern Scotland saw a deluge of rainfall – with parts of Cumbria seeing over 350mm in 38 hours.
Here, thye Met Office have tweeted a video showing how the rain will cover a large part of the UK by 8am on Friday morning.
- Joseph Gamp
Two bridges 'washed away by flooding'
Two road bridges have been "washed away" in Dumfries and Galloway just hours after torrential rain led to a major incident declaration in Hawick.
The conditions also led to the closure of schools and travel disruption in the south and west of Scotland.
And a landslide led to the closure of the B725 near Bankend about six miles (10km) from Dumfries.
Network Rail confirmed the extreme weather had forced the closure of the line between Dumfries and Carlisle until further notice.
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."
- Joseph Gamp
Pictured: Man sets up flood defences around his house in Hawick, Scotland
In the picture below, a man is seen fitting flood defences to his house in Hawick, Scotland.
A major incident was declared earlier after sustained heavy rain caused the River Teviot to swell and threaten to flood.
Around 500 homes are thought to be affected if the town floods and residents have been evacuated
NINTCHDBPICT000689836373Credit: Getty - Joseph Gamp
Cumbria records 358mm of rain in 38 hours
The Met Office tweeted on Thursday afternoon 358mm of rain had been recorded at Honister Pass in Cumbria in the past 38 hours.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) reported 116mm of rain at Eskdalemuir Observatory in the 36 hours to 9am on Thursday, well above levels over the previous days.
- Joseph Gamp
Met Office map shows highest rainfalls
The Met Office has released a video showing the highest rainfall totals in NW England and southern Scotland.
Somce areas of Cumbria have seen 370mmm of rain in a 38 hour period.
The weather agency also warns that "further flooding is possible moving into Friday".
- Joseph Gamp
Scottish transport minister issues travel warning
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."
He added: "If you are planning to travel by rail, please check with your operator ahead of your journey.
"This is particularly important for cross-border travellers following the earlier disruption to services."
- Joseph Gamp
How many flood warnings are in place?
Sepa has issued 20 flood warnings and five flood alerts mainly covering southern Scotland, while in England 16 flood alerts and nine flood warnings are in place in the North West.
A minor landslide has blocked the B725 road around six miles from Dumfries and as police warned of large areas of flooding on that road from Dumfries to Glencaple.
The River Tweed in Peebles has burst its banks, putting home at risk of flooding and closing roads.
Officers urged people to drive with care amid reports of flooding and standing water.
- Joseph Gamp
'Major Incident' delcared on Scottish borders
Police Scotland Chief Inspector Vinnie Fisher said: "We have been monitoring the situation with the weather in the Borders closely as the day has progressed and we have now made the decision, alongside our partners, to declare a major incident and have begun evacuating various residents around the River Teviot from their properties."
"We are working with our colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Borders Council to safely move all of those affected and ensure they are appropriately accommodated for the time being."
He urged people to avoid travelling in the region unless "absolutely necessary".
- 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
Authorities issue 'do not travel' warning
On both sides of the border there has been heavy disruption on both the roads and railways, with one train operator issued a "do not travel" warning.
"We are working with our colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Borders Council to safely move all of those affected and ensure they are appropriately accommodated for the time being.
"I would urge the public to avoid travel within the region unless absolutely necessary and to pay attention for more information as we continue to respond to this matter."
- Joseph Gamp
Major incident declared in Scotland as 500 homes evacuated
A major incident has been declared in Hawick due to the sustained rainfall.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) says there is likely to be "significant damage" to around 500 properties and a risk to public safety.
Several flood warnings are in place across the region, with the situation around the River Tweed and River Teviot worsening rapidly.
Pupils have also been some home from Trinity Primary and Hawick High, and Teviot Health Centre has been closed.
- Joseph Gamp
Heavy rain brings disruption on roads & railways
Motorists and rail passengers are facing disruption amid heavy rain in southern Scotland and northern England.
Weather warnings of heavy rain are in force across those areas, including an amber alert for Cumbria which warns of "danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater".
Twelve flood warnings are in place in the Scottish Borders, where the council is advising people in Hawick living in at-risk areas near the river to "consider plans for evacuating their homes".
Police urged people to drive with care amid reports of flooding and standing water.
- Joseph Gamp
Windermere ferry halted
Eight flood warnings are in place across Cumbria as more than a foot of rain falls in some parts of county.
The Windermere ferry has been unable to run today because the lake is too full after more than a foot of rain fell over parts of Cumbria in 24 hours.
Operators of the Windermere ferry tweeted: “Due to excessive rainfall overnight the lake levels have risen to an extent whereby we cannot land safely and must suspend services till levels drop”.
- 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
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
Mapped: Multiple weather warnings in place
There is an amber waarning for rain and yellow warning fro floods in Cumbria.
Other parts of the country have a yellow warning for flooding, including Wales, parts of Cornwall, Manchester and Southern Scotland.
Of the Amber warning, in place for Cumbria, the Met Office says: "Persistent, heavy rain will continue through Wednesday, overnight and for much of Thursday.
"100 to 150 mm rain is likely to accumulate quite widely through this period, with 200 to 250 mm falling over prone fells, mainly across the west of the warning area.
"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 yellow warning still in force at that time."
Heavy rain continuing to batter Cumbria – Met Office
The Met Office says that some parts of Cumbria have seen extreme rainfall.
Honister Pass has seen an average of 358mm in the past 38 hours.
The weather agency tweeted: "Heavy #rain continues to give #flooding across #Cumbria
F"or the latest information on flood warnings across England, please check the @EnvAgency website."
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.
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