Severe flood warnings issued with Storm Eva approaching

More than 100 extreme weather warnings, including 15 noting conditions were life-threatening, have been issued across Britain.

This has now been upgraded to a Red warning – the highest on the scale.

There are two flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – at Lustrum Beck in Stockton-on-Tees and one for the River North Tyne at Chollerford, near Hexham.

The severe flood warnings – the EA’s highest level of warning – are for two locations on the River Ribble at Ribchester and three locations on the River Calder at Whalley.

Around 125 flood alerts and 190 warnings have been issued by the EA, mainly for the North West, North East and Wales.

Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Travel disruption is taking place across the country, with the A1 in North Yorkshire now closed northbound between the junctions of the A6136 (south) and the A6136 (north) near Catterick due to flooding.

Over high ground between 1.7ins (50mm) and 3.1ins (80mm) of rain is likely to fall on Saturday, while some exposed areas in southern parts of Cumbria could see up to 120mm.

“The ground is saturated and rivers have already risen throughout the night”.

“This is expected to lead to widespread river flooding and surface water flooding”.

“At the moment in our house it’s ankle deep”, she said.

Alison Baptiste, EA flood duty manager, said: “Our thoughts are with all those who’ve been coping with serious flooding to their homes and businesses repeatedly over Christmas and those who face the risk of further flooding”. On Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and throughout the Christmas period our operational teams, contractors, and the military will be working around the clock to do all we can to reduce the potential impacts of flooding and support those communities affected.

“With further rain forecast, we urge people to remain vigilant and check their or follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates”.

In the Calderdale area, in West Yorkshire, roads turned into streams and rivers as torrents off water poured off nearby fields and hillsides on to the ground below.

“Current forecasts suggest the rain will ease off later this evening but we’re continuing to closely monitor forecasts and river levels and will issue more alerts and warnings if necessary through today”.

Thousands of properties were affected when Storm Desmond brought a record amount of rainfall to Cumbria during the weekend of 5-6 December.

Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said the latest weather is “unusual” given the relatively mild weather enjoyed across England during December.