More rain is on the way after flooding causes weekend disruption
Some 61 flood warnings have been issued across England and Wales as more rain is expected over the next two days.
Flooding across England and Wales has hit transport networks and forced a number of events to be cancelled.
More rain is expected on Monday and Tuesday, with yellow weather warnings issued for parts of western England and Wales.
This means some homes could be flooded and bus and train services could be affected.
The River Calder right now, please be vigilant if you're out walking or near the river bank. In some places the river is at the bank already having the potential to become more dangerous than it is already. pic.twitter.com/Z3LhVhiGW0
— Padiham Fire (@Padiham_Fire) September 29, 2019
The Environment Agency has issued 61 localised flood warnings across England and Wales, plus 169 alerts for possible flooding.
This includes a flood warning for the Thames in the early hours of Monday morning.
The north of the country was forecast up to 70mm of rain in 24 hours on Sunday, leaving parts of the transport networks struggling to cope.
Northern Rail warned passengers to expect delays and cancellations, with no service between Sheffield and Manchester due to water on the tracks.
Trains in Blackpool, Preston and Cheshire were also among the worst hit.
Speed restrictions were put in place across much of Northern Rail’s network over safety concerns.
With all that water flowing I did not think this old dog ? rescue would end well. But thankfully the team did a great job???♂️ pic.twitter.com/KM2DJRQlJD
— Neil Hardiman (@HardiNeil) September 29, 2019
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it had attended nearly 20 incidents over a few hours, many of which were flooding-related.
Motorists were warned to avoid a number of roads and urged not to attempt to drive through flood water.
In Lancashire, the River Ribble burst its banks and flooded adjacent fields and roads.
Currently at the Spread Eagle at Sawley where the Ribble has breached its banks and is flooding adjacent fields and affecting roads to Grindleton & Bolton by Bowland. Motorists please avoid the area! @LancashireFRS @BBCLancashire @ribblefm @RibValleyPolice pic.twitter.com/rsxZszTFsT
— Phil Whittaker (@StnMgr_USAR) September 29, 2019
The Men’s Elite Road Race in Yorkshire went ahead despite the heavy weather, but the route had to be amended to skip some of the most scenic parts of the Upper Dales.
However the inaugural Regatta London race, due to take place on the River Thames on Sunday, had to be cancelled.
The Lancashire ER team have been out this afternoon preparing to respond to any floods. This was the weir at Whalley at about 16.00 hrs. pic.twitter.com/3jA9pQ9m2J
— BRC Lancashire – ER (@ERLancs_BRC) September 29, 2019
Organisers said the stormy weather had affected the river’s water quality and raw sewage had spilled into the water.
Alex Burkill, a meteorologist with the Met Office, said: “Monday is going to start off pretty fine for most places, however a system is going to come in through the day reaching southwest England and Wales by 10am tomorrow morning and spreading eastwards as we go through the day.
“By evening rush hour, much of England and Wales will be pretty wet.”
#FreedomChurchMereside Church cancelled today due to flooding. The water is knee deep in most places! And it's still raining!!! I'm wearing normal height wellies & you can only see the top! Daren't check the Freedom Centre! @cofelancs @BpoolCouncil @estate_ministry @TomkinsonPete pic.twitter.com/i9Eycu6jjN
— Linda Tomkinson (@TomkinsonLinda) September 29, 2019
Some areas could see another 70mm of rain.
It will be much drier and brighter in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
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