Storm Christoph: Around 400 homes flooded as river levels remain 'exceptionally high'
Around 400 homes have now been flooded as a result of Storm Christoph, the Environment Agency has confirmed.
Residents across northern and central England have been urged to prepare for further flooding this weekend as river levels remain "exceptionally high" following heavy rain on already saturated ground.
Just one severe flood warning, where flooding poses a significant risk to life or significant disruption to communities, remains in place as of Friday afternoon at the River Dee in Cheshure.
There also remains 138 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, and 123 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible. People have been urged to stay away from swollen rivers and avoid driving through flooded roads.
Dr Kate Marks, of the Environment Agency, said: "River levels remain exceptionally high in parts of northern and central England as a result of this week’s rain from Storm Christoph.
"It could bring flooding to some areas, particularly along parts of the River Severn today and Saturday, with a risk of damage to buildings in some communities.
"There’s also a chance of localised flooding of land and roads across parts of the North West of England on Tuesday due to further rain."
It comes as the storm is set to give way to colder winter weather this weekend which could see temperatures drop to as low as -10c.
Earlier on Friday, Environment Secretary George Eustice said Yorkshire was being monitored after severe flood damage across the North West and Wales.
He told BBC Breakfast: "If you look at this latest episode, we have had around 70 homes that have been flooded and that is a real tragedy for those (people).
"It is incredibly disruptive when people have their homes flooded but around 26,000 homes have been protected from the various flood defence assets we have had in place.
"We have got 600 people on the ground putting up temporary barriers, using pumps in areas of Manchester where there were particular flood challenges.
"We are particularly monitoring the situation in Yorkshire as the water moves through those river systems and, of course, preparing as well for next week where later next week more rain is expected."
Follow the latest below:
01:56 PM400 homes flooded following Storm Christoph
400 homes flooded following Storm Christoph
The Environment Agency has confirmed around 400 properties have been flooded as a result of Storm Christolph
Residents across swathes of northern and central England have been urged to prepare for further flooding this weekend after heavy rain caused river levels to "exceptionally high"
Just one severe flood warning, where flooding poses a significant risk to life or significant disruption to communities, remains in place as of Friday afternoon at the River Dee in Cheshure.
There also remains 138 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, and 123 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is possible. People have been urged to stay away from swollen rivers and avoid driving through flooded roads.
Dr Kate Marks, of the Environment Agency, said: "River levels remain exceptionally high in parts of northern and central England as a result of this week’s rain from Storm Christoph.
"It could bring flooding to some areas, particularly along parts of the River Severn today and Saturday, with a risk of damage to buildings in some communities.
"There’s also a chance of localised flooding of land and roads across parts of the North West of England on Tuesday due to further rain."
01:38 PMDozens of animals rescued during Storm Christoph flooding
Dozens of animals rescued during Storm Christoph flooding
Animals including horses, cats, chickens and dogs were rescued from flooding as part of the RSPCA's efforts to help animals in the aftermath of Storm Christoph.
The animal welfare charity said it had received a total of 43 calls on Wednesday and Thursday as many homes were flooded in the north of England.
Pepper the dog and cats Bandit, Smokey and Socks were rescued from one woman's home in Warrington, where police said around 100 people were evacuated.
An elderly Akita dog named Caesar was also saved from a property in the town.
"We've been busy responding to emergency calls today and have been sending officers out to assess incidents all over the country, from Devon to Surrey, Gloucestershire to Manchester, Cheshire to Gwynedd," RSPCA inspector and water rescue coordinator Jason Finch said.
01:05 PMSevere flood warning remains for River Dee
Severe flood warning remains for River Dee
The Environment Agency has placed a severe flood warning, meaning danger to life, at the River Dee in Cheshire.
Water levels at a stretch of river in Farndon, near Crewe, are expected to continue to rise until this evening following yesterday's heavy flooding.
An alert reads: "This Severe Warning has been issued because river levels are rising at the Farndon river gauge as a result of Storm Christoph.
"Consequently, flooding of property is imminent.
"We believe there is a possibility of flooding for properties along the English River Dee in Farndon. We expect river levels to peak between 9.5-10 meters later this afternoon going into this evening."
Nearby residents are asked to call 999 if they are in danger.
12:22 PMPensioner taken to hospital after accidentally ingesting sewage
Pensioner taken to hospital after accidentally ingesting sewage
A grandfather was taken to hospital after accidentally swallowing sewage water when his house was flooded.
Chris Spencer and his wife Marlene, both 70, were forced to flee their home in Chester on Wednesday night with the help of their family after dirty water began seeping in amid the bad weather caused by Storm Christoph.
Granddaughter Alex Roberts, who went to help her grandparents after receiving a call, told the PA news agency: "As he was trying to get out he fell over into the water and hurt his back, then he swallowed sewage water.
"With that, he had hypothermia as well because he was so cold so he had to go to hospital and while we were trying to take him out of the water I swallowed some sewage water as well so I had to get antibiotics from the hospital too."
Ms Roberts, 20, said she and her family, who live nearby, went round to help after receiving a call from her grandmother who was "crying her eyes out" some time after 10pm. Mr Spencer stayed at the Countess of Chester hospital overnight before being discharged
12:03 PMRiver Trent continues to rise after Storm Christoph flooding
River Trent continues to rise after Storm Christoph flooding
The River Trent has risen further on Friday as a result of rainfall and snow melt in the wake of Storm Christoph, the Nottingham Post reports.
Water is now said to be creeping up the Victora Embankment, while surrounding fields have been submerged.
Here are some pictures from the scene:
11:31 AMFamily winched to safety from flood-hit home
Family winched to safety from flood-hit home
A family whose home was surrounded by floodwater were winched to safety by a coastguard rescue helicopter on Thursday night.
North Wales Fire Service had attempted to rescue them using a boat near Rossett, Wrexham.
A spokesperson said : "The property was isolated by fast-flowing flood water and the conditions were considered to be too dangerous to navigate in darkness, therefore the crew could not make it all the way to the property."
Three people including a child, aged six, and two dogs, were rescued.
11:02 AMA multi-million-pound insurance bill
A multi-million-pound insurance bill
At 9am on Friday morning, there were 160 flood warnings and 158 less serious flood alerts in place in England, seven flood warnings and 19 flood alerts in Wales, and four flood alerts in Scotland.
Mohammad Khan, the general insurance leader at PwC, said that based on current weather, the firm estimates insurance losses from Storm Christoph to be between £80million and £120million.
"This is clearly dependent on what future rainfall occurs but currently would be less than the losses that occurred from Storm Ciara last year," he added.
10:50 AMWhere the rain hit hardest
10:47 AMAfter the flood comes the freeze
Where the rain hit hardest
10:47 AMAfter the flood comes the freeze
After the flood comes the freeze
The rain may be easing but the floods are not abating. And now the snow is coming. Here's the latest pictures:
09:22 AMCheshire residents receiving support from emergency services
Cheshire residents receiving support from emergency services
Emergency services are continuing to support communities in areas of Cheshire where residents have been evacuated, police have said.
A spokesman for Cheshire Constabulary said following heavy rainfall from Storm Christoph there had been about 100 people evacuated in Warrington, 48 in Northwich - where residents of a care home had to be taken to safety by firefighters - and four in Farndon.
Superintendent Julie Westgate said: "Whilst the heavy rain has stopped and flood waters are subsiding, a number of flood alerts and road closures remain in place and we are urging people to be aware of these and to only travel if it is absolutely essential.
"If you do need to go out please take extra care and allow more time for this as there is a risk of surface water flooding and weather-related debris in places."
09:21 AMFlood-hit home owners dealt "real tragedy", Environment Secretary says
Flood-hit home owners dealt "real tragedy", Environment Secretary says
Flooding is a "real tragedy" for anyone whose home is hit, Environment Secretary George Eustace has said, adding that preparations are under way for further rain expected next week.
He told BBC Breakfast: "If you look at this latest episode, we have had around 70 homes that have been flooded and that is a real tragedy for those (people).
"It is incredibly disruptive when people have their homes flooded but around 26,000 homes have been protected from the various flood defence assets we have had in place.
"We have got 600 people on the ground putting up temporary barriers, using pumps in areas of Manchester where there were particular flood challenges."
He added: "We are particularly monitoring the situation in Yorkshire as the water moves through those river systems and, of course, preparing as well for next week where later next week more rain is expected."
09:19 AMTemperatures set to plunge to -10C this weekend
Temperatures set to plunge to -10C this weekend
Temperatures could drop as low as minus 10C in the coming days, as Storm Christoph gives way to colder winter weather this weekend.
Meteorologist Craig Snell added: "We're losing the rain but gaining some colder and possibly some wintry weather too."
A yellow weather warning for ice is in place along a large part of western coasts until 10am on Friday.
The alert - which stretches from the Scottish Highlands, down to the north west of England and into Wales, as well as covering Northern Ireland - says there is the possibility of injuries from icy conditions on ground which is already wet.
An additional yellow warning for snow and ice is in place across northern parts of Scotland until Friday lunchtime.
