Storm Bella brings gales of up to 70mph TODAY after people evacuated from homes on Christmas Day
It’s a wet Christmas: Streets turn to rivers as thousands are forced to evacuate from their homes in Bedfordshire after widespread floods with Storm Bella set to bring 70mph gales and heavy rain tonight
- More than 1,300 properties were advised to evacuate along the River Great Ouse, north Bedfordshire
- Hundreds of people evacuated from homes in Northampton, Norfolk and Suffolk last night as flooding hit
- More than 1,000 were rescued from Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park as inches of rain hit on Christmas Eve
- Storm Bella is expected to bring further downpours and winds of up to 70mph on Boxing Day in coastal areas
Widespread flooding wreaked havoc in parts of England on Christmas Day, forcing residents to evacuate their homes ahead of further bad weather expected with the arrival of Storm Bella later tonight.
The storm will bring severe gales and heavy rain, with winds expected at speeds of up to 70mph.
The flooding yesterday saw the River Great Ouse burst its banks in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
More than 1,300 residents living near the river were urged to leave their homes by police as flood water continued to rise, engulfing roads and fields and parts of the town of Bedford.
One woman described how she had only an hour to move her father’s belongings before floodwater from the river started ‘coming through the walls’.
Dramatic photos taken today showed the devastation wreaked by the flood water, while videos showed the moment people had to leave their homes.
Further rain is expected in Bedfordshire on Sunday and Monday and the area is one of three under a severe flood warning, meaning a danger to life, along with the Cogenhoe Mill caravan site and Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, both on the River Nene in Northamptonshire.
The Met Office added that between 0.6-1inches (15-25mm) of rain is likely to fall in Wales and south-west England, and up to 1.6-2.4inches (40-60mm) over some hills later today and tomorrow as Storm Bella arrives.
An amber wind warning, which warns travel could be disrupted, has been issued for parts of south Wales and across southern England today.
Meanwhile, a yellow warning of wind for the whole of England and Wales as well as the far south of Scotland has also been issued and will be in force from 3pm on Boxing Day.
Bella follows relatively calm and cold conditions across the UK on Friday, which saw early morning snowfall recorded in some areas.
People have been warned that flying debris could cause injury or be a risk to life, and buildings could be damaged in the storm.
Large parts of Northern Ireland are facing a yellow warning of rain and wind from lunchtime on Boxing Day through to the evening, with conditions potentially disrupting travel.
Storm Bella will bring severe gales and heavy rain on Boxing Day, the Met Office has warned, after people were evacuated from their homes on Christmas Day due to flooding. Pictured: The scenes of flooding in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, on Boxing Day morning
Its arrival will bring winds of up to 70mph in exposed coastal locations and further downpours. There was flooding around the country on Christmas Day, with residents living in parts of Bedfordshire urged to leave their homes after the River Great Ouse (pictured today) burst its banks.
Aerial view of the town of Bedford, where 1,300 homes along the river Ouse have been ordered to evacuate following a severe flood warning given by the environment agency
Meanwhile, a yellow warning of wind for the whole of England and Wales as well as the far south of Scotland has also been issued and will be in force from 3pm on Boxing Day.
In addition to the strong winds, the Met Office said a period of heavy rain will affect western and southern areas on Boxing Day.
A yellow warning for rain has been issued for parts of Scotland, Wales and much of north and south west England on Saturday, including areas where there has already been flooding from recent downpours.
In Ireland, Met Eireann issued a country-wide status yellow wind and rain warning, in force until 4am on Sunday.
As of 5am, England had 78 flood warnings and 99 flood alerts, two flood warnings and five flood alerts are in force in Wales, and seven warnings and 13 alerts have been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Bedfordshire Police on Friday ‘strongly urged’ residents living near the River Great Ouse to seek alternative accommodation as high levels of floodwater passed through Kempston and Bedford.
Nine people and three dogs had to be rescued from a flood-hit property in Harrold, Bedfordshire.
The scenes of flooding in Cambridgeshire on Boxing Day morning. Water had engulfed fields and roads after the River Ouse burst its banks
The distressing scenes were brought on by heavy rainfall on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
A birds-eye view shows how close some homes have come to being flooded in Cambridgeshire
This morning, a line of cars could be seen travelling across a bridge as floodwater surged just below
A bench was seen with flood water surging around it after the River Great Ouse burst its banks
A family were seen walking next to the flood water in Bedford after the River Great Ouse burst its banks, prompting authorities to warn people to leave their homes
Aerial view on Boxing Day of the town of Bedford, where 1300 homes along the river Ouse have been ordered to evacuate
Bedfordshire Police said people could take refuge in homes of friends and family after the flooding, despite Tier 4 coronavirus rules banning household mixing indoors
This dramatic photo demonstrated the height of the floodwater in Bedford after the River Great Ouse burst its banks
The flooding heaps further misery on Britons already having to cope with coronavirus restrictions which have made a normal Christmas impossible
This dramatic picture showed just how high the flood water has risen, threatening homes and businesses
This aerial photo showed part of a bridge after flood water from the River Great Ouse had spilled over it
Emergency centres were set up at the Bedfordshire Athletic stadium and Bromham Village Hall.
Debbie Radford, whose father lives in the village of Odell, near the river, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday how she had to help him move many of his possessions from the ground floor to a higher level late on Christmas Eve.
‘At about 11 O’clock he rang me and said he was in trouble. So I jumped in the car, it was just a couple of miles away and we had literally an hour to move everything off the floor so that we could save washing machines, tumble driers, fridges, carpets, furniture,’ she said.
‘Literally an hour later, the water started coming in through the walls. Last night it was sitting at 1ft deep throughout the whole ground floor.
‘The water has risen 15ft. It is 12ft from the river level to the top of the garden, to the bank.
‘The last time it flooded was 22 years ago and from all the records in Odell it has never, ever been this bad. It just came up, the water was coming up through the drains yesterday.’
A man peers through the window of The Barn Hotel in Bedford, after residents living near the River Great Ouse in north Bedfordshire were ‘strongly urged’ to seek alternative accommodation due to fears of flooding
Flood water was pictured surrounding the hotel in the stricken town as residents were forced to leave their homes
This man tried to navigate through the flood waters on a bicycle whilst he wore a pair of wellies
The region is braced for further rain this evening when Storm Bella sweeps in to the country
People are seen on the embankment of the River Great Ouse after the severe flooding in Bedford
The extreme weather in Bedford caused a sinkhole to appear and swallow up a tree
Clare Devany, 38, husband James Hodgson, 43, and their daughters, aged four and five, spent Christmas Day moving furniture to the top floor of their house in Bedford, before leaving to spend the night in a hotel in nearby Peterborough.
Ms Devany told the PA news agency: ‘You don’t realise how much stuff you have in a house until you have to move it.
‘We put all the furniture on to kitchen chairs and raised the sofa by two feet.
‘You walk around and you just have to work out what to sacrifice. For us, that was things like the TV, because it was mounted and we didn’t have time to take it down, the living room cabinets. It’s furniture, it’s not the end of the world.
‘We moved paperwork, photos, all of the kid’s memorabilia, their toys – everything came upstairs. The only thing we didn’t touch because we didn’t have time was the kitchen.’
She said the day was a festive ‘write off’ after the family were visited by police at 10.30pm on Christmas Eve and advised to leave.
‘They said Covid is a non-issue,’ said Ms Devany.
‘At that point, we started to get really concerned. Because they said, go anywhere – you can go to Tier 2 if you need to.
‘With the way things have been going, it was a bit of an eye-opener, because it has been all-consuming the last few weeks, going from Tier 2 to 3 to 4. With total lockdown and being so careful, and them turning up at the door and saying ‘that doesn’t matter now, get out’.
‘It was at that point we knew we really needed to get out.
The flooding at Cogenhoe Mill Caravan Site, in Northamptonshire, where the Environment Agency have issued a severe flood warning after the River Nene burst its banks
The River Thanes breached its banks causing flooding to nearby footpaths and riverside properties in Goring on Thames, Oxfordshire
Mill Cottage, the former home of George Michael, was one of the houses which was surrounded by flood water in Goring on Thames
The flooding in Goring on Thames spread on to footpaths and into riverside properties after the River Thanes burst its banks
Rsidents of Billing Aquadrome Caravan Park in Northamptonshire collecting some of their belongings after their homes were flooded when the River Nene burst its banks and everyone was evacuated
Northamptonshire Police said water levels had reached 5ft in some places, with emergency services using boats to take residents in the worst-hit areas to safety
A view of a flooded area in Great Barford, near Bedford, shows a canal boat floating near a home
People standing on a bridge look at a flooded area in Great Barford, near Bedford, on Boxing Day
Cars were also pictured being driven down a flooded street in Great Barford as residents looked on from the pavement
‘We put the turkey in the oven and had turkey sandwiches at the hotel last night, but it really has been a panic.’
After spending Friday night at the hotel, the family returned home when flood waters receded by a few inches.
One of their daughters is non-verbal autistic and struggled with the sudden move.
Ms Devany said: ‘She’s not a big one for change, it really upset her, so if we can stay tonight, we are going to try. We will sleep in shifts and if it looks like it will breach the road at all, we will head back to the hotel.
‘It’s pretty bad out there and all of the fields are within half a foot of breaching back on to the road. We have literally come within a hair’s breadth of it.
‘We have been lucky – we are dry, we are safe, we have the heating on. There have been so many people out there who haven’t been as lucky.’
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Police said on Christmas Day: ‘Residents living near the River Great Ouse in north Bedfordshire are strongly urged to leave their homes and seek alternative accommodation due to the risk of flooding.
‘People should seek alternative accommodation. This overrides the current Covid-19 regulations.’
Superintendent Steve Ashdown, who is leading the response, said officers had visited just over 1,300 homes in the area the previous evening.
‘A number of serious flood warnings are now in place across the north of the country where we are expecting flooding, including some for serious flooding which has the potential to endanger life.
‘We contacted 1,309 properties along the river last night and suggested they evacuate, and we would strongly reiterate this advice again based on latest information.’
He added: ‘River levels are extremely high and we are expecting this to have a significant impact across Bedford Borough over the next 24 hours.
‘The fact this is happening on Christmas Day makes the situation even worse, especially after the disruption so many of us have had to our plans already, and I really do sympathise with people.
‘But this is a really serious situation and we need people to take action in order to keep themselves safe.’
In Blackpool, on the Irish Sea coast, fierce waves were seen crashing against the seafront as Storm Bella arrived in the town
The choppy waters lapped around Blackpool pier and demonstrated the strength of Storm Bella
The country is braced for the arrival of the storm after the Met Office imposed three severe flood warnings
A woman takes a photo of flooding in Bedford, after residents living near the River Great Ouse in north Bedfordshire were ‘strongly urged’ to seek alternative accommodation due to fears of flooding
The river could be seen spilling onto paths and grassy areas in the centre of Bedford after it burst its banks
Flooding in Bedford where the River Great Ouse has burst its banks. Residents have been urged to leave their homes
Residents look at the expanse of floodwater in Bedford after the heavy rain prompted the River Ouse to burst its banks
This picture demonstrates just how far the floodwater has encroached on parts of Bedford after the heavy rain
Bedford Mayor Dave Hodgson said: ‘The Environment Agency is expecting this to be the highest level of flooding seen in Bedford borough in a number of years and, working with partners, we are strongly encouraging people who are at risk of flooding and have been contacted to leave if they can do so safely.’
Writing on Twitter today, he said: ‘We have had confirmation that the flood waters peaked in central Bedford around 2.00am and are now receding.
‘High water is currently at Cardington and still has to go through Great Barford which the Environment Agency are estimating will take place around 2.15pm today.’
On its website this morning, the Environment Agency said: ‘Heavy rain has fallen across the River Great Ouse catchment over the past few days.
The River Great Ouse also burst its banks in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. Pictured: The scene on Boxing Day
The water from the river had flooded vast swathes of fields and paths. More rain is expected today
This birds-eye view showed the floodwater in Cambridgeshire encroaching on people’s homes and gardens
‘River levels at Bedford remain high and steady. Further rain is expected over 27-28 December 2020.
‘We expect flooding to affect Riverside Close, Ford End Road, Cauldwell Walk, Commercial Road, Horne Lane, River Street, Palgrave Road, Cauldwell Street, Cardington Road, Kingsway, Nicholls Road, Goodmayes Close, Tennyson Road, Chapel Close, Bury Walk and Goldington Road in Bedford.
‘Flooding is likely to cause significant disruption to the community and it is possible that electricity services will be affected.’
Despite the flooding, there were some scenes of festive cheer on Boxing Day as swimmers braved the chilly North Sea waters to enjoy a Boxing Day dip at Sandhaven Beach in South Shields, South Tyneside
Some of the brave swimmers wore only bikinis or swimming shorts as they endured the icy water
Some swimmers dressed in festive attire. One woman was seen wearing a star over her swimming costume, while another donned a Santa hat
Another female swimmer wore a pair of gloves and a hat depicting a snowman while she enjoyed the sea water
Across England, a total of 70 flood warnings and 95 flood alerts, as well as the three severe flood warnings, remained in force at shortly before midday on Boxing Day as huge amounts of water flowed through river catchments.
Northamptonshire Police urged people to stay away from the Billing Aquadrome holiday park, after hundreds were evacuated on Christmas Eve due to high water levels on the River Nene.
The force said water levels had reached 5ft in some places, with emergency services using boats to take residents in the worst-hit areas to safety.
Most of those evacuated were able to find overnight accommodation with friends and family, with a special exemption from Covid-19 restrictions, while about 100 people were transferred to a hotel.
Hundreds were evacuated from their homes and vehicles following a period of heavy rain on Christmas Eve, with severe flood warnings issued for the River Nene in Northamptonshire indicating a risk to life. Pictured: Billings Aquadrome yesterday
Across England, a total of 111 flood warnings and 137 flood alerts, as well as the two severe flood warnings, remained in force at 5am on Christmas Day as huge amounts of water flowed through river catchments. Pictured: Billings Aquadrome
Cars are submerged in water yesterday after the River Great Ouse burst its banks causing severe flooding in the region
Detective Superintendent Jamie Piscopo said: ‘Emergency services are working hard to ensure residents can return to the site as soon as possible, however it is not currently safe to do so.
‘We’d urge them to stay away until such time it is safe to do.’
Bedfordshire Police tweeted that people should seek alternative housing – which overrides the current Covid-19 regulations.
Covid-safe emergency assistance centres have been set up by the council at the Bedford International Athletic Stadium and Bromham Village Hall for people who have been evacuated from their homes and have nowhere else to go.
Because of the flood threat, residents ordered to evacuate by officials ‘are permitted to go to other people’s homes, despite the Tier Four Covid-19 regulations currently in place,’ the council said.
Aerial view of flooding at sunrise this Christmas Day around Tewkesbury following days of torrential rain that has caused the River Severn and Avon to rise and burst their banks where they meet
The River Severn and Avon also burst their banks in Tewkesbury, with dramatic aerial images showing homes and dangerously close to the floodwater on Christmas morning
It added that people should only take what is needed, such as medication, and people should turn off gas, water and electricity and move any valuables upstairs.
Families last night grabbed unopened presents as flooding forced them to evacuate their homes on the night before Christmas – with Storm Bella set to bring two inches of rain and 70mph gales on Boxing Day.
Hundreds were evacuated from their homes and vehicles following a period of heavy rain on Christmas Eve, with severe flood warnings issued for the River Nene in Northamptonshire indicating a risk to life.
The heavy rain is set to continue later today, with up to two inches of rain expected to fall in high areas following a largely clear and dry conditions, the Met Office said. Pictured: Tewkesbury today
The arrival of Storm Bella on Boxing Day will bring further downpours and winds of up to 70mph in exposed coastal locations
Across England, a total of 111 flood warnings and 137 flood alerts, as well as the two severe flood warnings, remained in force at 5am on Christmas Day as huge amounts of water flowed through river catchments.
Northamptonshire Police said the emergency services were working through the night to evacuate more than 1,000 people from the Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park in Northampton.
The force said the heavy rain had caused flooding with water up to 5ft deep in places.
There were also evacuations in Norfolk and Suffolk as families prepared for Christmas Day last night, with a major incident declared by emergency services.
Water levels on the River Waveney in Bungay are still being monitored today as some Britons returned home to dry out their sodden carpets and furniture.
In Cambridgeshire, floodwater was knee-deep in Peterborough after it overwhelmed the banks of the River Nene, with Britons seen wading through murky water to check on their boats and property on Christmas Day.
The River Severn and Avon also burst their banks in Tewkesbury, with dramatic aerial images showing homes and dangerously close to the floodwater on Christmas morning.
Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘Christmas Eve night into Christmas Day is going to be very cold, with harsh widespread frost first thing Christmas morning’
Pictured: A sunrise over Tewkesbury Abbey as floodwater lingers dangerously close to properties after heavy rains
The heavy rain is set to continue later today, with up to two inches of rain expected to fall in high areas following a largely clear and dry conditions, the Met Office said.
‘Recent wet weather and saturated ground makes this area more sensitive than usual to further heavy rainfall, especially across parts of southern Wales,’ it was added.
Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office, earlier said: ‘Christmas Eve night into Christmas Day is going to be very cold, with harsh widespread frost first thing Christmas morning.
‘So it could be a White Christmas in as much as lots of people are going to wake up to a frost.’
Light flurries of snow were seen on Christmas Eve, including on the North East coast.
He continued: ‘They’ll be very light, scattered, not everywhere will see them by any means, and for most areas it’s going to be a pretty dry day, just cold, but there is a chance we could see a few showers of snow across eastern parts of England, particularly early on Christmas Day.’
The focus for many will be on the rain that has already fallen after the wet conditions brought flooding including in the Midlands. Pictured: Tewkesbury today
A graphic also showed the weather across the UK this morning, as ice warnings were issued in parts of the country
However, the focus for many will be on the rain that has already fallen after the wet conditions brought flooding including in the Midlands.
Northamptonshire Search and Rescue were involved in the evacuations at Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, which included a new mother and a young baby.
Emergency accommodation was sourced for the residents, some of whom showed signs of hypothermia, at hotels and at least two leisure centres.
Police Chief Superintendent Mick Stamper said it was an ‘exceptionally challenging situation’ and asked residents to leave the site if they could, adding they would be exempt from Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident at the holiday park on Christmas Eve, with five crews and four specialist water teams searching 1,100 caravans.
The force previously responded to 250 incidents following heavy rain, deploying crews to pump out properties and stranded vehicles.
Aerial view of flooding at Haw Bridge in Tirley, Gloucestershire this Christmas day where the river Severn has burst it’s banks cutting off the people who live there
Pictured: Floodwater in Haw Bridge in Tirley, Gloucestershire on Christmas Day after flooding hit the region overnight
People wade through floodwater to check boats and property at Orton as the area is completed flooded as the River Nene burst its banks in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
In Cambridgeshire, floodwater was knee-deep in Peterborough after it overwhelmed the banks of the River Nene, with Britons seen wading through murky water to check on their boats and property on Christmas Day
A man wades through floodwater to check boats and property at Orton as the area is completed flooded as the River Nene burst its banks in Peterborough
An amber national severe weather warning has been issued for parts of south Wales and across southern England, with gusts expected to reach up to 70mph in exposed coastal locations
A yellow warning for wind for the whole of England and Wales as well as the far south of Scotland has also been issued and will be in force from 3pm on Boxing Day
St Ives, Cambridgeshire, after the River Great Ouse burst its banks. More bad weather is forecast for Boxing Day with Storm Bella expected to bring heavy rain
Eight flood warnings are in place in Norfolk, with firefighters from Dereham called to Cranworth, near Watton, to reports of a house that had been flooded by the heavy rain early on Christmas Day.
Another crew from London were called to flooding outside a home on Ditchingham Dam near Bungay at 7.45am, with further reports of a multiple-vehicle crash on Thickthorn roundabout just outside Norwich.
A police spokesperson said the force had received higher than normal calls over the past 24 hours since Christmas Eve because of flooding. They added officers were supporting the fire service.
The Met Office said conditions across the UK will turn increasingly unsettled through to December 27, with strong winds and heavy rain moving in from the north.
An amber national severe weather warning has been issued for parts of south Wales and across southern England, with gusts expected to reach up to 70mph in exposed coastal locations.
A yellow warning for wind for the whole of England and Wales as well as the far south of Scotland has also been issued and will be in force from 3pm on Boxing Day.
