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A mass evacuation has taken place at a caravan park in Cornwall as 18 flood warnings are issued across the UK, raising fears that the British could see a very wet Christmas.
Fire and rescue officials were called to the Notter Bridge camp in the early hours of this morning amid reports that water had breached the flood defenses installed there.
Meanwhile, a driver of a DPD delivery van stranded in floodwater at Newbridge in Usk in Wales was rescued by emergency services using a boat to cross deep water.
And yesterday was no better, with footage showing a truck making its way down a submerged road near Welney in Norfolk.
The Met Office has forecast that up to 4 inches (100mm) of rain could isolate communities, as there are 18 flood warnings in areas like Plymoth, Devon and Hereford.
A total of 18 people were evacuated and subsequently relocated from the Cornish caravan site today, with 50 caravans registered to verify the well-being of their occupants.
The area’s local fire station took to Twitter to say that the massive flooding operation has “slowed down” since then, but officers remain on site to monitor the situation.
Devon and Cornwall Police as well as Dartmoor and Cornwall Search and Rescue were also present.
There has been a massive evacuation in Cornwall as widespread flooding sparks fears that much of Britain could be inundated by downpours on Christmas Day. In the photo: flood water at the caravan site
Fire and rescue officials were called to the Notter Bridge camp (pictured) in the early hours of this morning amid reports that the water had breached the flood defenses established there.
A total of 18 people were evacuated and subsequently relocated from the Cornish caravan site today (emergency services on site), with 50 caravans registered to verify the well-being of their occupants.
The area’s local fire station took to Twitter to say that the massive flooding operation has “slowed down” since then, but officers remain on site to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, a driver of a DPD delivery van stranded in floodwater at Newbridge on Usk in Wales, was rescued by emergency services who used a boat to cross deep water.
Many of us could really be splashing around next week, as the forecast for heavy rain last night raised fears that some homes will flood over Christmas. This truck had to make its way down a submerged road near Welney in Norfolk yesterday.
Weather warnings have raised fears of more landslides after 600 tonnes of rock fell from a 30-meter cliff on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast near Burton Bradstock, 100 meters from the £ 2.4 million home of the composer Billy Bragg and 300 feet from a cafe.
Nobody was hurt.
Meanwhile, the River Towy overflows in Carmarthenshire as Wales endured the brunt of the severe weather, while flood barriers were installed at Bewdley in Worcestershire amid concerns over the high levels of the River Severn.
In Cornwall, 18 people had to be evacuated from their caravans after floodwaters broke through flood defenses.
Approximately 50 mobile homes were searched to check the well-being of the occupants, some of whom had to be relocated.
The River Usk breaks its banks at Crickhowell in Powys, Wales, as flooding continues to affect parts of the UK this morning.
The River Usk breaks its banks at Crickhowell in Powys, Wales, as flooding continues to affect parts of the UK this morning.
The Met Office has issued an amber rain warning ‘brace yourselves’ for South Wales throughout the day, where homes and businesses are likely to be flooded and delays or cancellations in train and bus services are also likely.
Meteorologists also warned that “fast-flowing waters or deep flooding are likely to be life-threatening” in the region and said there was a “good chance” that communities would be cut off due to water on the roads.
Power outages are also likely to occur in homes and businesses, with rain this morning lasting much of the day and between 1.6 inches (40mm) and 2.4 inches (60mm) expected on high ground in the warning area.
The Met Office said 3.2 inches (80mm) to 3.9 inches (100mm) are likely to be seen in some locations with much of this falling between nine and 12 hours before clearing to the east, which is ‘likely’ to cause flooding and transportation disruptions.
There is a broader yellow ‘be alert’ warning for rain in the South West across Devon, Cornwall and much of the rest of Wales, warning of a band of heavy rain moving east this morning before clearing overnight.
Many areas are expected to see 0.8 inches (20mm) to 1.2 inches (30mm), and Dartmoor is likely 2.4 inches (60mm) to 3.2 inches (80mm). This follows heavy rain in the area this week, increasing the chances of flooding.
The warning sparked fears of more landslides after 600 tonnes of rock fell from a 30-meter cliff on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast near Burton Bradstock (pictured).
Fields flooded in Carmarthenshire today after the River Towy overflows following heavy rain in parts of Wales
Heavy rain in the wider warning area will be accompanied by strong winds and the risk of thunderstorms, with gusts of 50 mph to 60 mph likely around the shores and on higher ground.
This compares to the average rainfall of 144mm throughout December in South West England and South Wales, which means that the Amber area can expect almost three weeks of rain today.
CrossCounty said severe weather in Devon’s Dawlish area meant its trains were disrupted, with some northbound services starting from Exeter instead of Plymouth, and buses between Plymouth and Tiverton.
Buses also replaced Great Western Railway trains between Newquay and St Austell due to flooding on the railway.
Natural Resources Wales issued flood warnings for the River Towy at Carmarthen Quay and the River Ritec at Tenby.
Strong waves crash against the Dorset coastline in West Bay today as the Met Office issues rain warnings in the southwest
The agency said checks are being carried out on flood defenses, as well as making sure drainage grates and screens are clear to reduce risk to people and their homes.
Sean Moore, NRW tactical service manager, said: ‘The band of heavy rain sweeping across parts of Wales on Friday and Saturday is expected to cause flooding and disruption in many areas of South and Central Wales.
We have teams that check defenses and monitor river levels along with advice from the Met Office to forecast flood risk, and will update our flood alerts and warnings as appropriate.
“We urge people to keep an eye on weather reports and the NRW website for details on possible impacts in their areas. We also recommend taking special care when traveling as conditions can be dangerous. ‘
