‘Danger to life’ as Storm Christoph roars into Britain
TORRENTIAL rain is set to be followed by strong winds, ice and snow as Storm Christoph rampages across Britain.
A “danger to life” warning was issued with severe downpours across central and northern areas today bringing floods.
The Met Office said rain is initially the main concern but as low pressure hits later in the week plummeting temperatures will bring snow causing fresh havoc.
An amber weather warning has been put in place until Thursday which will cover the whole of England, with Bolton yesterday seeing just under an inch of rain in eight hours.
Braced
A major incident was declared in Greater Manchester ahead of expected heavy rain overnight.
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey said: “If the public need to evacuate due to flooding then that is the priority.”
And a major incident was also declared in South Yorkshire with Doncaster residents braced for further flooding.
And around one and a half inches of rain fell in Aberllefenni in west Wales – the highest amount of rainfall in the UK.
But calls by MPs for ministers to convene a Cobra emergency committee fell on deaf ears with the Prime Minister’s spokesman saying no meeting was planned. Yesterday floodwaters rose rapidly in Leicester leaving motorists stranded while emergency flood defences were being erected by the River Ouse in York.
A Ferrari overturned near Leeds after smashing through a barrier on the M62.
Highways England shared the picture of the car, with the caption: “Storm Christoph 1 Ferrari 0”. Last night heavy rain was predicted to pound England with up to eight inches possible in the southern Pennines.
Most of Wales and England has a yellow rain alert in place while a yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in force in Scotland.
Last night 14 flood warnings had been issued by the Environment Agency, with 123 flood alerts issued across England.
It said catchments are already very wet, river levels high and further heavy rain could affect parts of Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.
Flood duty manager Craig Woolhouse said: “Flooding on roads and land is also likely across central and southern England today and Thursday.
Potential
We urge people to keep away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”
Met Office chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong added: “Storm Christoph will bring notable weather hazards.
“Some locations in central Northern England and Wales could see a month’s rainfall in just two days, with up to 200mm possible over higher ground, presenting a threat of flooding.
“On Wednesday night and Thursday morning we start to see the potential for hazardous snow.”