Flood warnings mapped - almost 350 alerts after Storm Henk smashes country

03 January 2024 , 13:02

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Caravans in Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire, where there's a 'danger to life' flood warning (Image: Bav Media)

Hundreds of flood warnings, including ‘danger to life’ alerts, have been mapped across England as swathes of the country are under water.

Chilling pictures from across England show dangerous levels of flooding, from washed out caravan parks, to a cricket ground where only some of the stands remain above water. Storm Henk has brought winds of almost 100mph to the UK alongside torrential rainfall and claimed one life.

There are over 600 flood alerts and warnings across the country , including two severe threat to life flood warnings, one in Wales and one in England. One of the two severe flood warnings, bringing danger to life, was in place for the River Nene, in Northampton, at the Billing Aquadrome holiday park and nearby business parks.

The other severe warning, which asks Brits to "act now" is along the River Ritec. At the Kiln Park caravan site, water has been steadily rising since yesterday morning.

Natural Resources Wales said there had been reports of raw sewage in the flood water and added: "Flooding has become very extensive within Kiln Park and there is the risk of severe disruption to the community, with significant risk to life. Please comply with directions from the emergency services and staff at the holiday park."

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

In the past 24 hours alone, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said they had received 140 flood-related calls. Meanwhile, Leicestershire Police said a large number of homes were being affected by flooding in Loughborough, with police closing Belton Road from the junction of Jubilee Drive to Meadow Lane and A426 Lutterworth Road from Little Glen Road To Leicester Road Roundabout in Blaby.

The Energy Networks Association – which collates data from all energy providers – estimated that 10,000 customers were without power on Wednesday morning. Alongside this, there were 294 flood warnings across England - meaning flooding is expected.

Abandoned vehicles lay submerged on The A443 - where one driver tragically died (Stop Press Media / SplashNews.com)

The government’s flooding service cautioned: "Local flooding is probable from rivers in Northamptonshire today and tomorrow. Local flooding is also possible from rivers in parts of the East Midlands until Thursday. Properties may flood and there may be travel disruption.

"Local flooding is probable from rivers and surface water widely across England today. Local inland flooding is also possible on Thursday and Friday due to further heavy rainfall. Some river flooding may continue throughout the next five days. Land, roads and some properties could flood and there could be travel disruption.

There are almost 300 flood warnings and alerts in place across England (Met Office)

"Local groundwater flooding is possible in parts of the South of England, Yorkshire and the Humber throughout the next five days. Land, roads and some properties may flood and there may be travel disruption."

The flooding and strong winds have made themselves felt across the country’s roads and railways as well. Greater Anglia, South Western Railway, Great Northern Railway, Southern Rail and Great Western Railway all reported issues of some kind. Rail routes in Norwich, Colchester, Peterborough were all experiencing "severe disruption". Similarly, SW Railway and Southern Rail both warned of disruption lasting most of the day.

Kieren Williams