Storm Babet chaos: Flood map shows 116 warnings in place across UK with fears more homes could be deluged after 1,250 properties were destroyed by heavy rain and 80mph gales
Severe flood warnings are in place for more than 100 areas across the UK, as Britons continue to battle with the aftermath of deadly Storm Babet.
Around 1,250 homes across England have been flooded following the onslaught of strong gales and heavy showers, that saw more than a month and a half’s worth of rain fall in days.
An estimated 30,000 properties have been protected from the flood risk, as the Environment Agency issued 116 flood warnings this morning.
The warning comes as 83-year-old Maureen Gilbert was found dead after her home was hit by flooding in Derbyshire, taking the number of people who have died since the storm hit the UK to stand at nine.
Derbyshire Police said the pensioner was found dead at about 10.35am on Saturday at her home in Tapton Terrace, Chesterfield.
An estimated 30,000 properties have been protected from the flood risk, as the Environment Agency issued 116 flood warnings this morning. Pictured: Homes flooded in Retford, Nottinghamshire
Around 1,250 homes across England have been flooded following the onslaught of strong gales and heavy showers
The Environment Agency has put 116 flood warnings in place across the UK today
Flooded fields around the River Lugg near Leominster, after Storm Babet battered the UK
Her son Paul Gilbert told Sky News he found his mother ‘floating in the water’.
‘I did not want to find my own mum and I expected somebody else to have found her,’ I said. ‘I go through so many different stages, anger, upset, I don’t know. I can’t put it into words what it means at the moment.’
Another victim, Wendy Taylor, 57, died after being swept into the Water of Lee, Glen Esk, on Thursday, Police Scotland said.
Her family described her as ‘a ray of sunshine for everyone who was fortunate enough to know her’ in a tribute issued through police.
‘We are absolutely heartbroken to lose Wendy in such tragic circumstances and are still struggling to come to terms with it. Wendy was a beautiful, kind, funny and caring person,’ they said.
‘Wendy was the beloved wife, best friend and soulmate in life to George, mother to James, Sally and Susanna and Granny to India and George.’
On Friday, a man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing floodwater in the town of Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire.
Maureen Gilbert with her husband Jack on their wedding day in 1975; Mrs Gilbert has died in Storm Babet after floodwaters burst into her home
Flowers were left outside Mrs Gilbert’s home on Sunday after her son and grandson found her body at home in Chesterfield on Saturday
Paul Gilbert found his elderly disabled mother Maureen’s lifeless body floating in the waters of her flooded home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Mrs Gilbert’s family have been trying to salvage anything they can find from the wreckage of the flood-stricken home
Watermarks on the wall indicate the height of the water at the point it entered Mrs Gilbert’s home, taking her life
Police Scotland previously said a falling tree hit a van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday evening, killing the 56-year-old driver.
A search is also under way in Aberdeenshire after a report of a man trapped in a vehicle in floodwater.
Last night severe flood warnings placed on the River Derwent in Derby and on the Rive Idle in the East Midlands were lifted.
But the Environment Agency added: ‘River flooding will continue into Wednesday along the River Severn.
‘Further flooding is possible from rivers and surface water on Tuesday and Wednesday for parts of England due to further heavy rain.’
Derby City Council saw record-breaking water levels in the River Derwent and warned that cleaning up after the floods could take several days.
Today First Minister Humza Yousaf will visit Brechin, Angus – the town which took on the brunt of the storm and saw people evacuated in canoes – to see the damage caused when the River South Esk bust its banks and flooded dozens of homes.
Angus and Aberdeenshire were badly hit by the storm and teams have been clearing debris from roads, while those hit by flooding are making repairs.
Residents of River Street in Brechin were trying to dry out their homes as they surveyed the damage from the floodwater.
A road closure sign due to flooding in Powys in Wales
A couple and their dog are rescued by a Coastguard team from a flooded street in Brechin, northeast Scotland, on October 20
First Minister Humza Yousaf will visit Brechin, Angus – the town which took on the brunt of the storm and saw people evacuated in canoes
Angus Council said it has had an “overwhelming” response to an appeal for accommodation for people unable to return to their properties because of the damage caused by the floods.
A call for clothing and toiletries for those affected by the floods also led to hundreds of donations, the local authority said.
Mr Yousaf said ahead of his scheduled visit: ‘My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives to the extreme conditions caused by Storm Babet during what will be difficult time.
‘I want to pass on my thanks to local authorities, volunteers and the emergency services for all their efforts in these extremely challenging conditions.
‘The local community in Brechin, like others across Scotland, has come together to offer support to all those affected by the floods with Angus Council receiving hundreds of offers of alternative accommodation for those forced to leave their homes.
‘The process of assessing the full amount of damage caused in all areas affected by the storm is now under way. This will take some time and we are working closely with local authorities to support the people and businesses affected.’
Angus Council chief executive Margo Williamson added: ‘I am tremendously proud of Angus’ response to Storm Babet.
‘Working closely with partners from across Tayside we have done our best to preserve life in extremely challenging conditions.
‘I would like to pay tribute to everyone who supported this effort, particularly our volunteer organisations such as the Red Cross, Voluntary Action Angus, and our Tayside 4×4 drivers who have played a vital part in this operation.
‘Our staff in the council, in the Angus Health and Social Care Partnership, and our leisure trust ANGUSAlive, have all gone above and beyond, facing challenges on an unprecedented scale.
‘I would also like to reassure the residents of Angus, who have shown such community spirit, that their care and support is our absolute priority, particularly those who are displaced.
‘We are now firmly focused on making a full recovery, and this work has already started.’
Met Office spokesman Dave Britton said those worst affected by the flooding caused by Storm Babet could see ‘a couple of quieter days’.
Mr Britton said more settled weather on Monday could allow some respite and a chance for recovery.
He added: ‘There is this pulse of rain moving its way north overnight later on Monday and into Tuesday, but the rest of the week does look like it remains rather unsettled with spells of rain at times.’
Source: Read Full Article
