Storm Bella forecast to bring yet more strong gales and heavy rain

UK

Storm Bella is forecast to bring yet more strong gales and heavy rain to the UK after severe flooding in certain areas.

The wet and stormy weather is expected to continue into the southeast of England on Sunday with showers in the West and North.

A yellow warning for wind has been issued for the whole of England, Wales and the south of Scotland – and will be in force until midday on 27 December.

Winds reaching up to 70mph (113kph) hit coastal areas on Boxing Day, along with further downpours.

Two people were forced to sleep in their cars on Christmas eve due to flooding preventing them getting to their properties
Image:
Two severe flood warnings remain in place
Storm Bella

Some areas are already saturated after recent rainy weather and flooding.

On Christmas Day, residents in more than 1,300 homes along the River Great Ouse in Bedfordshire were asked to leave by police after it burst its banks, causing bridges and roads to be flooded.

More from Weather

A Bedford resident told Sky News the area often gets flood alerts, but that she had not seen the water rise this high over the past two decades.

She said: “People were staying awake all night, obviously not knowing whether it’d come over the road.”

She added that everyone in the community “rallied around” to help curb the flooding by “digging trenches, bringing sandbags” and pulling out trees through the night and into the early hours of the morning.

Flooding in Bedford where the River Great Ouse has burst its banks, after residents living near the river in north Bedfordshire were "strongly urged" to seek alternative accommodation due to fears of flooding.
Image:
Hundreds of people had to evacuate their homes in Bedfordshire on Christmas Day because of flooding

Bedfordshire was one of three areas that have been issued severe flood warnings, meaning there’s danger to life.

But the Environment Agency has since lifted the severe flood warning that was in place covering the Great Ouse through Bedford.

Flood warnings, where flooding is expected, remain in place for the river and the areas surrounding it as high levels are expected to continue but not to the same degree as over the past two days.

As a result, the emergency assistance centre which was set up at Bedford International Athletic Stadium has been stood down while the centre at Bromham Village Hall was stood down yesterday, Bedford Borough Council said on Saturday evening.

Flooding in Bedford, where the River Great Ouse has burst its banks
Image:
Flooding in Bedford, where the River Great Ouse has burst its banks

Cogenhoe Mill caravan site and Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, which are both on the River Nene in Northamptonshire, remain at risk and have severe flood warnings in place, according to the Environment Agency.

People have been warned that buildings could be damaged in the storm and debris could cause injury or risk to life.

Many areas within Northern Ireland have also been issued yellow warnings of rain and wind from midday on Saturday until the evening, with conditions potentially causing disruption to travel.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Bedford locals pull together to fight floods

And Met Eireann has also issued a country-wide status yellow wind and rain warning in Ireland, which is in force until 4am on Sunday

Flooding in St Ives, Cambridgeshire
Image:
Flooding in St Ives, Cambridgeshire

As of Saturday evening, England has 79 flood warnings and 157 flood alerts. Wales has one warning and six alerts, while 11 warnings and 14 alerts have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the EA, said: “The flood risk will remain in impacted areas through the weekend, with rain on Saturday evening likely to bring the possibility of further flooding to the South West, South East, West Midlands and north of England overnight on Saturday and into Sunday morning.

“Our thoughts are with those affected. Environment Agency teams are working 24/7 alongside the emergency services and local partners to check and operate defences and support those who have been flooded, reduce the risk of further flooding and keep communities safe through the festive period.”

The warnings mark what continues to be a very wet festive period for many, although some were treated to a picturesque white Christmas on the big day, with snowfall recorded in Yorkshire and Suffolk.

Products You May Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *