The UK’s 8 week long flood nightmare continues after heavy rain – reportedly from the remnants of Storm Jonas – caused flooding in areas of England and Scotland on 27 January, 2016. Some towns in the Scottish Borders and northern England have now been flooded as many as four times in the last 8 weeks.
Between 04 and 05 December, 2015, Storm Desmond dumped record levels of rain in Cumbria. Then came storms Eva and Frank and the remnants of Storm Jonas. Now the severe weather looks likely to continue across the UK over the next few days with the arrival of Storm Gertrude.
A yellow warning is in place for heavy rain for parts of Wales and South West England. and there are currently 7 flood warnings and 44 alerts in force in England and Wales. The Environment Agency has warned that the rivers Severn, Ouse, and Wye remain high.
Almost 50 flood warnings are in place for Scotland, where Storm Gertrude is forecast to bring snow and winds up to 100 mph to wide areas of the country.
Storm Jonas brought high levels of snowfall and coastal floods to eastern parts of the USA late last week.
Scotland
Six hundred people were evacuated in low-lying parts of Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scotland, on 27 January, 2016. A further 50 properties were evacuated in nearby Jedburgh. Schools were also closed in the area as a result of the flood threat from the overflowing River Teviot and its tributary Slitrig Water.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) Flood Unit currently have 48 flood warnings in place up and down the country. Pascal Lardet, from SEPA Flood Unit said in a statement on 28 January:
“We expect some river and surface water flooding across many areas from late Thursday evening and into Friday. Flooding may affect communities, low lying land and roads, and cause travel disruption in Easter Ross and Great Glen, Skye and Lochaber, Tayside, Argyll and Bute, Central, West Central Scotland, Ayrshire and Arran, Dumfries and Galloway, and the Scottish Borders.
“Given the saturated ground conditions and flooding already experienced this week, there is a risk of significant surface water flooding affecting communities in western parts of the Scottish Borders and in Dumfries and Galloway during Friday morning.
“There is also a risk of coastal flooding, from Friday morning on the west coast to late afternoon on the south east coast, at times of high tides due to a combination of predicted surge and high waves affecting the whole of the Scottish coastline”.
See the SEPA live flood updates page here. SEPA also encourage people to sign up for free flood messages direct to their phone by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or via the website.
England and Wales
Glenridding, in Cumbria, suffered flooding for the fourth time in 8 weeks after heavy rain on 26 to 27 January. The Environment Agency said it is working in the Ullswater Valley in Cumbria to clear debris in rivers and reduce flood risk. Some flooding was also reported in parts of Wales, and southern areas of England from 27 January.
The Met Office have forecast more heavy rain for the north of England on Friday and for the south of England on Friday and into Saturday morning. There are currently 7 flood warnings and 44 alerts in force in England and Wales. Temporary flood defences and pumps are being deployed across the country. Demountable flood barriers are now in place at Shrewsbury on the River Severn.
The Environment Agency said that the rivers Severn, Ouse, and Wye are expected to remain high into the weekend. The Foss Barrier in York, which was closed yesterday, is continuing to operate normally.
Neil Davies, National Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “As more wet weather is on the way we are urging communities in the north, south west, and Severn Valley to remain vigilant to the risk of further flooding.
“Environment Agency teams have been out checking flood defences, clearing watercourses, and supporting communities that are still recovering from recent flooding over Christmas after the wettest month on record.
“There will be high tides again today around southern and western coasts, which can cause large waves and spray. We advise anyone near coastal paths and promenades to take extra care and to avoid the temptation to go wave watching.”
There is a 24 hour telephone flood helpline on 0345 988 1188, or see the Environment Agency flood warnings website here
Snow and 100 mph Winds from Storm Gertrude
The UK Met Office reports that Red (highest level) warnings for strong wind are in place for Orkney and Shetland in Scotland. Much of Scotland is under Amber (mid-level) warning for snow and strong winds.
A yellow (lower level) warning is in place for heavy rain for parts of Wales and South West England.
