Nottinghamshire residents face 'pure hell' as homes cut off in floods

Nottinghamshire residents faced “pure hell” as flooding wreaked havoc on their communities for the third time in as many months.

Councillor Paul Taylor said: “Some villages are cut off. We’re finding that we are having to help people get medication because they can’t get out of their villages.”

He added: “People are going through pure hell. People are saying enough is enough and that they want to see some action.”

It comes as flood-hit residents have been warned to brace themselves for five more days of flooding misery because the ground is “completely saturated”.

The UK Health Security Agency issued a cold weather alert from Saturday, with temperatures forecasted to drop to -4C in south-west England and -6C in some areas along the Welsh border in Shropshire and north Herefordshire on Sunday.

Rishi Sunak sought to reassure the public that the Environment Agency had “people on the ground everywhere” responding to the floods.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer said “people’s lives shouldn’t be upended by extreme rain” and pledged to make flood defences “fit for purpose”.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: “We are feeling the effects of climate change in the East Midlands, and as a nation we need to be more resilient to flooding.”

06:39 PM GMT

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Today’s headlines:

• A London party boat sank in the Thames.

• Firefighters rescued 50 people after Hackney Wick was inundated with floodwaters.

• The Environment Agency said more than 1,000 properties had so far been flooded.

• More than 600 flood warnings and alerts were put in place.

• Labour accused the government of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ and Sir Keir Starmer pledged to make flood defences ‘fit for purpose’.

• An NFU chairman warned that farmers were likely to see ‘huge losses’ from this season of storms.

• The Fire Brigades Union called for emergency funds to cope with floods.

• A narrowboat overturned during flooding in Leicestershire.

• Residents were evacuated from Marlborough.

• The water and rural growth minister defended the government’s flood prevention strategy.

06:37 PM GMT

Famous Pulteney Weir under water

The famous Pulteney Weir on the River Avon in Bath was completely submerged.

Danny-Joe Ferriman told SomersetLive that the weir had “completely gone” for the first time in his lifetime.

06:03 PM GMT

Met Office publishes rainfall averages:

05:53 PM GMT

Beaver dams credited with slowing floodwater in Norfolk

Excess water heading downstream from heavy rain may have been slowed by beaver dams in the River Glaven, according to the Norfolk Rivers Trust.

Accompanying a video posted to X, the organisation said: “Glaven beavers slowing the flow by holding back floodwaters.

“Surely one of our most effective tools in building resilience to flood conditions.”

A spokesperson for the organisation has said that several swimming pools’ worth of water are being held upstream by the dams.

05:44 PM GMT

Water and rural growth minister defends flood prevention strategy

Robbie Moore has sought to reassure the public that the government has “absolutely” provided enough money for flood prevention.

“I’ve been out with the Environment Agency today who are working incredibly hard. Their teams are working throughout the day, all around the clock, throughout the night at the moment across the country,” the floods minister said.

The member for Keighley & Ilkley said the agency was working with the government to address the “immediate impact” of flooding and provide “reassurance to homeowners”.

He added: “This is backed up by the amount of funding that we are putting into our flood resilience plans.”

However, Mr Moore said that local authorities could go “a lot further” when scrutinising planning applications by taking into account the impact of flooding.

05:31 PM GMT

Flooding in Nottinghamshire is ‘pure hell’ says council chief

A senior councillor has called for “massive” investment in defences after flooding in Nottinghamshire brought “pure hell” to residents for the third time in as many months.

Councillor Paul Taylor said: “Some villages are cut off. We’re finding that we are having to help people get medication because they can’t get out of their villages.”

He continued: “I think this is one of the worst situations that we have seen.

“The levels are bad... it’s the third time in three months that some people have had their homes flooded. People are going through pure hell.

“People are saying enough is enough and that they want to see some action.”

05:00 PM GMT

Pictured: River taxi service for small dog

04:44 PM GMT

Starmer vows to improve flood defences

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to make flood defences “fit for purpose” after more than 1,000 properties across England were flooded in heavy rains.

The Labour leader wrote on X: “My heart goes out to everyone devastated by floods. I thank the emergency services for their tireless work.

“Labour’s Flood Resilience Taskforce will make sure flood defences are in the right places, and fit for purpose.

“People’s lives shouldn’t be upended by extreme rain.”

04:28 PM GMT

Risk of roads becoming icy following flooding

An expected cold spell means river levels may go down, but there is a risk of roads becoming icy following flooding, an Environment Agency spokeswoman has said.

“It’s good news for river levels, because it will mean that they’ll be able to go down, the River Trent’s going to stay high for a couple of days and that’s going to make its way towards a Humber,” Alex McDonald said.

“I’d really urge people to be really careful when they’re out and about, if there’s standing water and we get freezing weather then there’s a big risk on the road, so please be really careful when you’re out and about.”

04:27 PM GMT

Emergency services on the scene in Marlborough

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) have said the evacuation is a “precautionary move”.

04:13 PM GMT

'We are feeling the effects of climate change in the East Midlands,' says Environment Agency

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said the East Midlands is “feeling the effects” of climate change and that greater flood resilience is needed across the country.

Alex McDonald, speaking near the river Trent in Nottingham, said: “We’re seeing a large number of big events, and this winter has been particularly bad since October onwards.

“We are feeling the effects of climate change in the East Midlands, and as a nation we need to be more resilient to flooding.

“So we need to look at how we can work with communities to build that better, to help install property flood resilience measures to people’s homes, to make sure people are signed up to flood warnings and understand their risks and look at how we can work with local authorities around flood protection measures we can offer to communities.”

04:05 PM GMT

'Thousands' of pounds in damage to bookshop

Simon Goode, a business owner in Hackney, said inches of water flooded into his bookshop and print studio on Dace Road on Thursday night, in a building also used by artists.

A friend alerted him to the flood but when he arrived at the London Centre for Book Arts, he discovered he could not enter because the water outside was “about 10 inches” high by 11pm.

When he returned on Friday morning, he discovered “at least half” of his 2,000 square foot studio had been flooded, including the professional artists’ workspaces.

“A significant amount of our books and our paper stores and our equipment has all been pretty badly damaged,” he said.

“We teach classes. We’ve got really rare and expensive equipment. It’s going to be thousands and thousands of pounds. If you think a shelf of books is £300 or £400, it’s not really ideal.”

03:56 PM GMT

Evacuations under way in Marlborough

Emergency crews have been deployed to rescue and evacuate people in Marlborough due to flooding.

Dozens of vulnerable people have been evacuated from a retirement complex.

Others were seen fleeing on foot with suitcases, and residents and businesses were evacuated as the river’s water level rose.

A Marlborough Town Council spokesperson said: “The Town Council is working closely with the emergency services and Wiltshire Council to respond to the flooding situation in Marlborough.”

03:46 PM GMT

Firefighters call for emergency funds to cope with floods

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have called for the fire service to receive emergency funds to cope with the floods affecting parts of the country.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Shockingly, fire and rescue services in England still don’t have a statutory duty to plan and respond to floods.

“Instead, we have had more than a decade of cuts, with one in five firefighter jobs lost since 2010.

“The Westminster Government must adequately fund the fire service for flood response, so that firefighters have the resources they need to keep the public safe.”

Adam Taylor, the union’s executive council member for the East Midlands said: “Fire services in the worst impacted areas are stretched dangerously thin, as we’re seeing in Leicestershire, piling immense pressure on our dedicated firefighters to respond without adequate resources.

He added that flooding is on the rise, and so fire services need urgent funding to ensure they have the equipment and emergency crews needed to keep people safe.

03:18 PM GMT

Furniture workshop submerged in Nottinghamshire

Kirk and Bill’s, a furniture workshop in Nottinghamshire, has flooded after water rose through the floorboards and drains.

Ken Button, an employee, has been pumping water out of the workshop.

He said: “This is the second time I can ever remember it happening.

“The last time was around 2000, and the building is well over 100 years old, and it hasn’t been a problem in the past, but for some reason or other it is now, which is presumably a sign of climate change.

“It’s been a terrible start to the new year. We’ll have to see what we can salvage. I suppose the long-term solution is to raise the floor up, but at a cost.”

03:10 PM GMT

Other floods 'not even remotely comparable to this week’s deluge'

Tewkesbury was ‘cut off’ on Thursday after the River Severn burst its banks.

Homeowners in the town fought in vain to pump out water and put up barriers but were unable to stop flood water rising through the floors and walls.

Denise Clarke and her husband Jeffrey Clarke were forced to evacuate their home of 44 years as water entered the property for the first time since the floods of 2007.

“It just came up quicker than we thought it would,” she told The Telegraph. “The floodgates were working well but then it came up through the back and the floor.”

Mrs Clarke said they were “helpless” to do anything to stop the water entering the 300-year-old property, adding: “This is the worst since 2007, there was water above the worktops then. It was still rising but it was only about a foot when we left.

“It came up through the cellar. It is upsetting but we were daft enough to buy a house next to a river, it’s a lovely area normally.”

Their children and grandchildren live down the road. Sarah Rosser, Mr and Mrs Clarke’s daughter-in-law, said her family watched on as pumps slowly drained the flood water from their street outside their “forever home”.

“We left yesterday afternoon,” Mrs Rosser said. “ It came in slowly, we were pumping and trying to keep it out.

“We did absolutely everything we could and eventually we were just overwhelmed, it came up through the cellar and in through the walls.”

The family had the situation under control until mid morning, but eventually had to evacuate.

“When I left it was coming over the top of my wellies in my kitchen. It’s in all of the white goods, there was water in the fridge, the freezer, the washing machine, the tumble dryer.

“We have floods a lot but it doesn’t usually come into the properties, it comes into the gardens. We have a metal floodgate, it hasn’t gone over it, the gate has held it back at the front, it has held it back at the back, but it’s coming up.”

She said that other than 2007, regular floods in Tewkesbury were “not even remotely” comparable to this week’s deluge.

“It was horrible. In 2007, it was horrendous. It’s the first time since then it’s come in the house.

“Everything is saturated, the water is coming down the river, we are very overwhelmed at the moment.”

02:51 PM GMT

People brace for potential flooding along the River Thames

Areas surrounding the River Thames have already flooded today, and people living and working down the river are braced for the possibility of more to come.

Bisham Abbey Sailing, based in Buckinghamshire, are monitoring the water levels, and have prepared as much as they can with homemade defences.

02:38 PM GMT

'Avoid driving through flood water'

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service have reminded residents to avoid driving through flood water.

They have taken over 20 flooding calls since yesterday, with their crews responding to and rescuing people trapped in their vehicles.

02:32 PM GMT

High water levels at Charlecote Park

Charlecote Park in Warwickshire remains closed after it was flooded by the River Avon bursting its banks.

The National Trust site has confirmed it will not re-open for several days, until it is safe to do so.

02:21 PM GMT

River Thames continues to rise

Heavy rain in the wider River Thames catchment, brought in by Storm Henk, has caused the river to rise. Water is spilling out on to the floodplain in areas close to the bank.

“There is a flood warning in place in the Henley area and we are monitoring river levels continuously and will update the flood warning for residents as the situation changes over the coming days,” an Environment Agency spokesperson said.

02:18 PM GMT

Environment Agency 'generally apathetic about river maintenance'

Peter Gadd, a farmer in Nottinghamshire, has said that one of the reasons his area floods is because the Environment Agency is not maintaining the rivers properly and is allowing too much silt to build up.

He said that officers are “generally apathetic about river maintenance, which could end up jeopardising the nation’s food security”.

The Environment Agency has been contacted for comment.

02:12 PM GMT

Farmers likely to see 'huge losses' after season of storms

A National Farmers Union (NFU) chairman has said farmers are likely to see “huge losses” after a relentless season of storms.

Peter Gadd, a farmer in Nottinghamshire and chairman of the NFU crops board in the East Midlands, said Storm Babet and Storm Ciaran in the autumn hit within 10 days of him having sown a crop of wheat and barley - 40% of which washed away before emerging from seed.

He believes he has lost about £14,000 to £15,000 in the current floods, though he can only tally the total once the water has cleared, for which he will receive no compensation or insurance payout.

“On the south side of Nottingham there are huge areas of land now under water and some of those areas will have three or four feet of water in them,” he said.

“Now all that water’s got to get away, and many of those ponded areas will have growing crops underneath them at the moment.

“So it’s going to be quite a while yet before it dries up until we know what we’ve actually lost. But as an absolute minimum, there’s going to be huge losses.”

The NFU have called for compensation for farmers who have been adversely affected by the floods.

01:45 PM GMT

'We have no gas, electric, or water facilities'

Residents of Radcliffe Residential Park, an estate for over-55s, were evacuated yesterday before the nearby River Trent burst its banks.

Jane Hucknall-Swallow said: “The water came literally within millimetres of flooding our home. We are raised but it’s still come right up to the doorstep.

“However, it completely flooded our garden and underneath the home, and our house is now cut off. We have no gas, electric, or water facilities.

Mrs Hucknall-Swallow admitted she felt lucky that the water was not a centimetre or so higher, otherwise their home would have been flooded.

“We would have lost everything, and that would have broken me. It’s our home, it has a lot of precious things in it and a lot of memories.

“We’ve been here since 2018, and this is the worst we have seen it by a million miles. We’re normally around 10m above the river. It’s extraordinary - I never thought it could be this bad,” she said.

01:40 PM GMT

Pictured: A trip to the shops

01:36 PM GMT

Huntingdon Racecourse 'completely underwater'

Huntingdon Racecourse in Cambridgeshire is completely underwater after Alconbury Brook burst its banks.

The Holiday Inn next to the course has cancelled all its bookings after becoming completely cut off from the road.

It comes after the racecourse was forced to cancel the famous Peterborough Chase last month due to flooding. It was the second time in three years it had been called off.

12:59 PM GMT

Temperatures set to plummet over the coming days

A cold weather alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The Met Office said that the cold snap will be caused by high pressure building over the UK into next week, with drivers urged to be cautious of ice.

The UKHSA said: “A brisk easterly wind developing across the south over the weekend will make it feel much colder, with the added wind chill.

“Temperatures are likely to be a few degrees below average, across much of the UK, especially overnight, with more widespread frosts than of late.

“Ice is likely to be an issue for many given the very wet ground in most areas. It is probably this cold spell may last well into the following week.”

The warning comes into force at 9am on Saturday and expires at noon on January 12.

12:51 PM GMT

Football pitches under water in Nottingham

Powerleague Nottingham, which sits between the River Trent and the Beeston Canal, has been completely submerged following flooding.

The leisure venue, which hosts a range of 5- and 7-a-side football tournaments and organised league matches, released a statement on Wednesday confirming it is currently closed.

12:40 PM GMT

Rishi Sunak: People should be 'reassured' by response to flooding

The Prime Minister has said that people should be “reassured” by the response to flooding in badly affected areas, as he faces criticism over the Government’s response to Storm Henk.

Speaking to broadcasters in the north west of England on Friday, Rishi Sunak said: “I just want people to be reassured that the Environment Agency has got people on the ground in all the affected areas, also hundreds of high volume pumps are in practice right now making a difference and it is important that people follow the advice that has been given in local areas where there are flood warnings that have been given.”

“People should be reassured. The Environment Agency have people in the ground everywhere, absolutely recognise the urgency of what is happening and they are responding appropriately and with all due haste.”

12:36 PM GMT

Residents trapped after caravan park cut off

Residents are trapped in their homes in a caravan park in Nottinghamshire, after the River Trent burst its banks on Thursday.

Sue Oosthuizen and her husband Hans are currently trapped in their caravan on Radcliffe Residential Park, with their cat and two pet chickens.

She said: “We’re completely cut off from all sides and it’s the worst flooding we have ever known here.

“The only way you can get in and out is with waders as the water is at least two metres deep in most places.

“Several of our neighbours needed to be evacuated, including one poorly elderly neighbour. The electricity has gone in some homes too, we’re lucky ours hasn’t.

“We just hope the levels will start to subside now. Although we’re stranded, we’ve had lots of help and support from the community.”

Another resident, Phil Walker, added: “I’ve never known anything like it, the whole site has become an island. People were marooned and couldn’t get out.

“It just got higher and higher, it was quite frightening and like something from a disaster-movie.”

A major incident was declared by Nottingham County Council yesterday because of flooding from the River Trent and residents were urged to evacuate from at-risk areas.

12:28 PM GMT

Children trapped in minibus by flooding

12:13 PM GMT

The afternoon ahead

Outbreaks of rain will continue across the east, with some light showers elsewhere across the country.

Areas of the west of England will experience some bright spells over the afternoon.

11:34 AM GMT

Labour accuses government of being 'asleep at the wheel'

Labour has accused the Government of being “asleep at the wheel” over flood warnings.

In a joint statement, Pat McFadden, shadow Cabinet Office minister, and shadow environment secretary Steve Reed said: “The Conservatives have brushed over the risk of flooding for too long and communities are paying the price.

“Rishi Sunak has been asleep at the wheel and he must act now or risk further damage to lives and livelihoods.”

They have called for Rishi Sunak to convene a “Cobra-style taskforce” to protect homes from further damage.

“This is not about extra money. This is about ensuring that the budget already committed to flood defences is used to maximum effect. If that doesn’t happen, homes across the country will remain exposed.”

11:19 AM GMT

Mother of three injured after falling tree crushes car

Helen Vadgama was driving home on Tuesday night during Storm Henk, when a tree fell and hit her car.

The mother of three was minutes from her home near Eltham, south east London, when the tree fell. The trunk hit the roof of her car, hitting her on the head and compressing her spine.

Ms Vadgama managed to release herself from the wreckage as fire crews prepared to cut her free.

She says if she had been at the spot a second earlier she could have been killed.

“If I had been a second earlier, I wouldn’t have survived,” Ms Vadgama said. “I’m in a lot of pain, It was an absolute nightmare. I just felt the thump of the tree hit me. I felt the pressure on my head and I was just in shock.”

Ms Vadgama suffered bruising to her back and to her hip, which she had replaced just two years ago. CT scans at hospital shortly after the incident showed no signs of breakage.

“I was very lucky to escape,” she added.

“I’ll be staying in for a bit and if there’s a storm I’m coming straight home.”

11:04 AM GMT

Pictured: A rescue mission in the Thames

10:57 AM GMT

Landlord enjoys a pint in the flood

Andy Goodall, owner of the Rose and Crown pub in Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, keeps his spirits high by enjoying a pint outside in waist-high flood water.

10:53 AM GMT

'Take care on riverside paths and stay well away from stormy seas'

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has warned everyone to be aware of the risks of the recent heavy rainfall and to take care on riverside paths.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: “If you or someone else is in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If you are checking your boat from the river’s edge, please wear a suitable and well-fitted lifejacket or buoyancy aid.”

They also warned people near the coast to stay well away from stormy seas and cliff edges, to check tide times before going out, and to always take a phone.

10:50 AM GMT

The Prime Minister 'should visit areas impacted by flooding'

Rishi Sunak should visit areas impacted by flooding, the Liberal Democrats have said.

Helen Morgan, the party’s spokeswoman for housing and communities, said: “The Prime Minister should see for himself the devastation caused by these floods. People’s homes and businesses have been ruined yet again.”

The MP for North Shropshire said that areas of the UK, including her constituency, have been left to fend for themselves against floods.

Ms Morgan added: “If Rishi Sunak actually met with people impacted by this annual carnage, then he might do something about it.

“Under this Government flood protection plans for homes have been disgracefully slashed. This must be reversed immediately.”

10:46 AM GMT

Narrowboat overturns during flooding in Leicestershire

A narrowboat overturned after breaking from its mooring during flooding on the River Soar in Leicestershire on Thursday.

Local resident Sam Harper Ard said: “I live in the village and take my kayak out regularly on that stretch of the River Soar and I’ve never seen it so high.”

He said that “narrowboats are a real part of the community here” so seeing a canal boat affected by the flooding was “really sad”.

10:37 AM GMT

Telegraph readers share how flooding is affecting them across the UK

DM Barker said: “Just don’t expect any UK cereal or vegetable crops this year, swathes of farmland across Lincolnshire and Norfolk are under water and have been for weeks.

“Remember the farmhouse surrounded by water and only accessible by boat four years ago? Well, the bank which failed them has failed again. The EA keep saying dredging won’t make a difference, so here’s an idea, try it across Lincolnshire for two or three years and prove it one way or the other.”

Sara Crawford wrote: “The Boat Inn, Jackfield is sadly a prime flooding area being located adjacent to Ironbridge on the R Severn. Bridgnorth too has a pub under water by the bridge, all owners of properties on the Severn banks know of the flood risks, with peak flooding times arriving 24 hours after unusually heavy rain in the North Welsh mountains. Buyers beware. It happens sadly for these lovely places.”

Tom Gillespy said: “I had a look at the stream just down from me in Milton Keynes yesterday evening - it’s covering the entire valley, over the paths, which I’ve never seen before. Going to have to go round MK this weekend and see what else is underwater that I’ve never seen.”

Tell us how you have been affected in the comments section below.

10:18 AM GMT

Over 600 flood warnings and alerts in place

There are currently 291 flood warnings and 319 flood alerts in place across the UK.

Flood warnings signal that flooding is expected, and people living in these areas should act by turning off gas, water and electricity, moving things upstairs or to safety, and moving family, pets and cars to safety.

A flood alert signals that flooding is possible. People living in areas with an alert should consider preparing a bag that includes medicines and insurance documents, and continue to check flood warnings.

Find out more about where flooding is possible and expected here.

09:44 AM GMT

In pictures: A challenging commute

09:38 AM GMT

Do not navigate along 'extremely powerful' Thames in Kingston

The River Thames in Kingston is currently running twice as fast as it was this time last week, and is “extremely powerful”, Teddington Lifeboat has warned.

The Environment Agency have advised boaters not to navigate along the stretch of river and to wear a lifejacket when checking on their boats.

09:18 AM GMT

Share your experience below

09:14 AM GMT

Disruption on Great Western Railway as 'trains and crew in the wrong place'

Great Western Railway said: “Flooding and a serious incident near Reading last night, which involved police taking control of the line, has left trains and crew in the wrong place.”

Short-notice cancellations and a reduced level of service on long-distance routes are expected throughout the day.

Lines remain closed between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, Reading and Taunton, and Didcot Parkway and Oxford.

A minimal rail replacement service will be operating between the following stations: Newbury and Bedwyn, Castle Cary and Taunton, and Didcot Parkway and Oxford.

Find out more about the disruption here.

09:10 AM GMT

Severe weather to affect South Western Railway today

South Western Railway services are disrupted across its entire network, with major issues on its west of England routes.

Train services may be cancelled, delayed or revised, and disruption is expected until the end of the day.

The operator said: “Whilst we expect water levels to drop and most of the network to reopen today, South Western Railway will not be able to operate services between Yeovil Junction and Exeter because of a landslip near Crewkerne.

“A precarious tree is also causing disruption to journeys between Ash and Wanborough. Services may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised until 10.30am.”

South Western Railway has urged everyone to check before they travel to see whether their train is running as planned.

Find out more about the disruption here.

08:34 AM GMT

Environment Agency - More than 1,000 properties flooded and will likely increase

The Environment Agency has said more than 1,000 properties across England have been flooded this week, with numbers likely to increase.

Tewkesbrury in Gloucestershire was effectively cut off by flooding on Thursday, while river levels in the Trent, Nottinghamshire, were among the highest seen in 24 years.

Parts of Worcestershire were also left under water, as homes in London were also flooded when a canal burst its banks in Hackney Wick.

Caroline Douglass, the Environment Agency’s flood director, told BBC Breakfast: “We have had very wide rainfall.

“Over November and December, following Storm Babet and Storm Ciaran, the ground was incredibly saturated right across the country, particularly in the east.

“But also that’s just been topped up over the pre-Christmas period. That rainfall from this week has just added to that, so there’s really nowhere for the water to go.

“The ground is completely saturated so in that situation we get more flooding and greater impacts than we’ve seen and probably in areas where people aren’t used to.”

07:46 AM GMT

Great Western Railway warns of major disruption

Great Western Railway, which runs trains between London, Wales and south west England, has warned passengers to expect major disruption on Friday.

The rail operator said major flooding at multiple sites across its network means trains may be cancelled, delayed or diverted until the end of service.

Passengers have been urged to check their journeys before travelling and tickets for Friday will be valid on Saturday.

07:34 AM GMT

In pictures: Pub flooded on banks of River Severn

New pictures have emerged this morning of a Shropshire pub that has been flooded for the third time in less than 12 months.

Mario Thomas, 65, landlord of The Boat Inn in Jackfield, described the latest flood as “an evil one” that had taken him by surprise.

Mr Thomas has run the pub on the banks of the River Severn with his wife Lisa since March 2022.

07:27 AM GMT

More than 300 flood warnings across England

As of 7am on Friday, the Environment Agency has 302 flood warnings in place across England, meaning flooding is expected.

In addition, there is also 332 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.

Officials say water levels in the River Trent and River Severn may take several days to subside

06:36 AM GMT

Firefighters save 50 people from Hackney Wick flooding

The London Fire Brigade have reported that firefighters have now left the flooding scene at Hackney Wick.

According to the brigade, a canal burst its banks, causing water to flood an area of around 10 acres, affecting nearby properties.

Firefighters led approximately 50 people to safety and carried out welfare checks on around 100 people.

Dan Capon, the Station commander who was at the scene, said: “Firefighters worked through the night to ensure the scene was safe and evacuated a number of people from surrounding buildings.

“We urged people to avoid the area where possible. Remember - if your property is affected by flooding, move to a higher level where possible. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Follow the advice of the operator.”

06:22 AM GMT

In pictures: Flooding in Hackney Wick

05:50 AM GMT

Hackney Wick inundated with floodwaters

Firefighters worked through the night at Hackney Wick as flooding partly submerged streets in the area.

People have been urged to move to higher ground where possible if their property has been affected.

05:46 AM GMT

Midlands, south and east of England told to brace for flooding impacts

Stefan Laeger, of the Environment Agency, has warned significant surface water and river flooding impacts are possible across parts of the Midlands, as well as the south and east of England on Friday.

He said the flooding was a result of “heavy localised rainfall falling on already very saturated catchments”.

“Ongoing minor impacts are also likely across much of England over the next five days as some larger rivers slowly respond to recent and forecast rain.”

05:19 AM GMT

Friday's weather forecast

05:18 AM GMT

London party boat sinks in Thames

In case you missed it - late last night Bar & Co, a floating bar, restaurant and nightclub, sunk in the River Thames amid heavy rainfall.

Read the full story here.

05:15 AM GMT

Welcome to today's live blog

Good morning.

Heavy flooding continues to devastate parts of England.

We will be bringing you the latest news and information on Storm Henk and the weather today.

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