UK weather warning: Dozens rescued as Britain braces for more floods and snow
KEY POINTS
- Heavy rain and flooding causes major disruption across the UK.
- 70 people rescued from their homes in Lancashire.
- Dozens of flood warnings still in place and snow alerts for northern Scotland.
Dozens of people have been rescued from their homes and after flash floods and strong winds devastated parts of the UK overnight and into Thursday (23 November).
Flood warnings have been issued for areas in Lancashire and Cumbria and north Wales, with more than 40 flood alerts put in place for the rest of the UK telling residents to be prepared.
In Lancashire, emergency services received more than 500 calls related to flooding, with more than 70 people having to be rescued from their homes along with over 20 horses, a cat and a dog.
The Met Office said the floods arrived after more than 1.7ins (4.3cm) of rain had fallen in 24 hours in parts of Lancashire, while parts of Cumbria are also seeing around half a month's worth of rain fall in just 36 hours.
In north Wales, emergency services are appealing for the public to only dial 999 during flooding if there is a risk to life following "major flooding" in Llangefni.
The flooding has cause major disruption to travel, with parts of the A65 in North Yorkshire, the M6 Southbound and the A6 and A55 all closed.
Rail operator Northern also said there are no services between Lancaster and Morecambe, Carlisle, Oxenholme and Windermere due to flooding. A tree which has fallen as a result of strong winds is also currently blocking the railway between Woking and Ash Vale.
Trains north of Preston were cancelled and diversions were in place in Devonshire Road, Blackpool, with a number of local and minor roads also affected.
Elsewhere, weather warnings for snow are in place for parts of northern Scotland which is also expected to cause travel disruption.
The Met office chief forecaster said: "Snow is expected to develop across parts of Scotland early on Thursday.
"Snow is likely to become heavy and persistent for a time on Thursday morning before easing and pushing away eastwards during the early afternoon. 2-5cm of snow is likely for many parts with 10cm above around 250m and up to 20cm over the highest ground."
A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: "All agencies worked really hard in a co-ordinated effort to minimise disruption and protect the public and we will continue to support those communities worst affected."
"The focus is now firmly on supporting those communities which have been most affected."
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has also issued flood alerts for Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.