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.”

Major incident declared in Scotland as 500 home 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.

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.

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”.

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.”

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 contiunuing 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.

‘Autumn is very much with us’

Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall said: “Autumn is very much with us across the UK through this week, turning a lot more unsettled over the next few days.

Residents and visitors and especially holidaymakers in the Lake District have been urged to stay alert and check their flood risk.

You can do so by signing up for free flood warnings on the Gov.uk website and via the @EnvAgency on Twitter.

FOOT of downpours expected in coming days

Brits have been battered by torrential rain with nearly a FOOT of downpours expected in the coming days as danger-to-life floods grip parts of the country.

A total of five weather warnings are in place today – two of which are categorised as “severe.”

Persistent, heavy rain has led to flooding and disruption, and a danger to life warning has been issued as Brits are warned to stay away from fast-flowing or deep floodwater.

Trains and bus services are expected to be delayed and cancelled – while some communities will be cut off by the floodwater.

Handful of properties flooded

Stewart Mounsey, the Environment Agency’s flood risk manager for Cumbria, said: “Sadly we are seeing some properties being flooded, it’s only a handful at the moment, but that’s obviously devastating for those involved.

“We’re still gathering the number of those and locations.”

Pictures on social media show chaos 

People have been taking to social media to show the submerged roads in Cumbria, with one image showing cars stuck at Windermere School.

A video by flood risk analyst Dr Ed Henderson also showed terrible driving conditions and submerged roads yesterday in Borrowdale.

Crews helping vehicles stuck in floodwater

Brian Steadman, Cumbria’s deputy chief fire officer has said: “DON’T enter flood water it’s not only your life you are gambling with”.

Crews were already having to help vehicles stuck in floodwater on Thursday, said Mr Steadman.

The rain is expected to continue on Friday but should ease slightly in the North West.

Potential risk to life and property, travel disruption and power cuts

An amber Met Office warning for rain – indicating potential risk to life and property, travel disruption and power cuts – is in force for much of Cumbria on Thursday.

“In a 24-hour period you could see a month’s worth of rain,” said Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth on Wednesday night.

A less serious yellow rain warning extends into Lancashire, parts of Yorkshire, southern Scotland and most of Wales.

Pictured: Lake District flooding

Persistent, heavy rain has led to flooding and disruption, and a danger to life warning has been issued as Brits are warned to stay away from fast-flowing or deep floodwater.

Nearly 300mm is expected to fall in amber warning areas across some of the Cumbrian fells.

Holidaymakers in Lake District urged to stay alert 

Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “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.”

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.

Nine “immediate action” flood warnings in place in Cumbria

There were nine “immediate action” flood warnings in place in Cumbria on Thursday morning.

These areas included Keswick campsite, the River Ehen at Low Mill, and the River Cocker at Southwaite Bridge.

‘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.”

Network Rail experiencing delays

Network Rail wrote on Twitter that there were delays to some journeys in Lancashire and Cumbria due to the persistent rain and safety-related speed restrictions are in place from 7pm Wednesday until Friday morning.

Passengers travelling between Glasgow or Edinburgh and Carlisle are being advised to travel only if the journey is “absolutely necessary”.

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

Hours of heavy rainfall already happened in Cumbria

Cumbria had already had 12 hours of heavy rainfall on Wednesday, the service said.

Cumbria constabulary advised motorists to take care when driving on wet roads and be mindful that spray can reduce visibility, while Cumbria fire and rescue service said residents should be alert to the dangers of flood water.

“Never enter flood water on foot or in a vehicle. Call 999 if life is at risk – we are here to help,” the service tweeted.

UK flooding in pictures

The Met Office said there could be a “danger to life from fast-flowing or deep floodwater” in areas like Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland.

The amber alerts also warn of potential damage to homes and businesses from flooding, dangerous driving conditions and travel disruption.

Communities could be cut off by flooded roads and face power cuts, according to the service.

Rainfall total much higher than the average

Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: “The rainfall total is much higher than the average rainfall for this time of year, definitely, and in general, for any time of year it’s a lot of rainfall in a short period of time.”