Storm Frank: Severe flood warnings and sub-zero temperatures dampen New Year celebrations

Dozens of flood warnings remain in place across parts of the UK as Storm Frank left more than 5,000 homes without power and forced many to evacuate. More than 60 flood warnings remained in place in Scotland on Thursday 31 December, with two of them classed as severe, which means there is a danger to life.

Across the UK, 143 flood alerts were in place, alongside 95 flood warnings. However, the Met Office had removed all severe weather warnings, indicating that the worst of Storm Frank has passed. While a largely dry forecast is expected for New Year's Eve, fears of further flooding remain for parts of Scotland, with heavy rainfall predicted on Sunday and Monday (3-4 December).

A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "New Year's Eve looks to be a colder day with sunshine and showers, some heavy with hail and thunder, especially during the afternoon. A cold night is then expected with a widespread frost in all parts."

Parts of Scotland will see temperatures drop to below 0<sup><sub>C, with a chance of wintery showers in some areas. The rest of the country is also in for a cold New Year celebration, with temperatures in the south falling as low as 2<sup><sub>C.

Storm Frank became the sixth named storm of the season, following on from a series of storms that had already wreaked flooding havoc across the country. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has critised the Environment Agency for the way they have handled the flooding crisis. Corbyn visited the flood-torn region of York three days after Prime Minister David Cameron visited the region and defended the funding for flood prevention.

The Environment Agency's chairman Sir Philip Dilley came under criticism after it was revealed that he was on holiday in Barbados. He is believed to have visited flood victims in Yorkshire upon his return on Wednesday (30 December).

On Thursday morning (31 December) police in Scotland confirmed that the body of a man in his 50s had been retrieved from Riber Findhorn. The man is believed to have been kayaking when his vessel capsized on 30 December, however, rescue workers were unable to reach him during the stormy conditions.