Welcome to Upton IN Severn!
As families mop up from f lood chaos that has left towns marooned, forecasters warn of big freeze... and snow
THE residents of Upton upon Severn have always considered themselves a riverside community, but yesterday they were getting used to life as an island.
The town, surrounded on all sides by murky brown floodwater, is just one of the many areas across the country devastated in the aftermath of last week’s Storm Henk.
Now the same families are facing a cold snap with the arrival of sub-zero conditions that could turn deluged roads and pavements into ‘ice rinks’.
Last night, 200 flood alerts remained in force as the Met Office issued a yellow cold weather warning, with temperatures expected to drop to around -6C and snow flurries predicted across southern England from tomorrow. Rural areas were said to be most at risk, as floodwater continues to run off fields, turning rapidly to ice.
Yesterday, with some villages still totally cut off, the Government pledged to help flood-hit communities impacted by Storm Henk. More than 1,800 properties have flooded due to the saturated ground.
Flooded households in eligible areas will be able to apply for up to £500 cash to help with immediate costs, while households and businesses which have been significantly affected will be eligible for 100 per cent council tax and business rates relief for at least three months.
Communities Secretary Michael Gove said: ‘If you’ve been affected by the recent severe flooding, you do not have to deal with it alone – we are providing financial help so you can recover as quickly as possible.’
In Greatford, Lincolnshire – dubbed Britain’s most flooded village – 30 of the 90 homes have been inundated and blocked sewers have left locals without tap water.
The flooding is expected to continue into this week as many rivers remain swollen. Last month saw almost 60 per cent more rainfall in
‘Water running off fields will create an ice rink’
England than the country’s 30-year December average. And now the plummeting temperatures are predicted to add to the misery.
Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said: ‘There will certainly be ice although the extent will vary across the country. Rural roads, where stormwater is running off the fields, are likely to be at risk from icy patches.
‘We also see potential for snow flurries in the South starting in the Thames Estuary and Kent tomorrow and transferring across the South, to South Wales and the South West.’ Pedestrians and drivers were warned not to assume roads had been gritted. Devon Highways management head Stuart Hughes said: ‘With standing water and runoff on the roads, it is very difficult for our gritting teams and could make ice extremely likely.’