BRACED BRITAIN
More flood alerts... with snow and big freeze on the way MILLIONS are today bracing themselves for more flooding and heavy snow as a wintry weather system sweeps in.
Forecasters have issued over 70 flood warnings and 90 weather alerts following widespread flooding earlier this week.
And today, up to six inches of snow is due to fall in the Midlands and much of southern England and Wales, with temperatures expected to plummet to an icy -3C.
Many parts of the country are still reeling from the heavy rain brought by Storm Christoph earlier this week, forcing thousands to flee their homes.
Water levels in swollen rivers were expected to peak yesterday – but houses and businesses were already submerged in Bewdley, Worcs, after flood barriers in the town were breached in the early hours.
WARNING
Water gushed over the temporary defences as the River Severn rose to near-record levels.
Irene Buxton, 70, told how she woke to a “crash” as the flood barriers collapsed.
She said: “I looked out of the window and it was like a tidal wave going towards the town.”
With river levels expected to peak at 18ft in Bewdley, pet owners battled to keep their best friends safe.
One dog called Malcolm peered out from behind the sandbags securing his home and terriers Eddie and Poppy were ferried to dry land in a dinghy.
In Yorkshire, as the River Derwent reached its highest ever level at 5m 5cm, Ruth Richards braved the rain to make sure her former battery hens were safe in Naburn Lock.
Snow has already fallen in some parts and sledgers made the most of it at Wychbury Hill, Worcs, yesterday.
But a yellow weather warning has been issued for much of the UK today as slow-moving snow is set to swamp Wales and central and southern England.
Met Office forecaster Steve Willington said cold air from Iceland and the Arctic will bring “a mix of wintry hazards”.