The Environment Agency has issued several flood warnings in parts of Lancashire and Cumbria while more than 5,000 homes in Scotland have been left without power after gale-force winds and heavy rain battered the country.
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“But we’re aware the ground across the north of England is absolutely saturated”.
The EA said it took this ” hard decision” in a “a rapidly moving situation” to reduce flood risk to the residents of York. “All the equipment, the electricity, all what’s needed to be run is there, but we can’t get it in from the outside now”, explained Mark Fuller an environment agency worker, according to EuroNews. They are filling and distributing sandbags, as well as helping people stranded to get in and out of their homes using military spec Mercedes Trucks.
Authorities say that investment in protection against flooding is not being cut, and the government has announced around $150 million to support homes and businesses affected by the latest floods.
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron visited York Monday to meet flood victims and emergency workers.
Storm Frank is battering Ireland tonight – with up to 70 millimetres of rain expected between now and lunchtime tomorrow.
Hot on the heels of Storm Desmond, the anticipation of Storm Frank has already resulted in the Met office issuing a series of amber and yellow flood warnings, predominately for northern regions.
In Ayrshire, 12 people had to be rescued by helicopter after the bus they were travelling in was caught in floodwaters.
Flood waters also affected the village of Ballater in Aberdeenshire near Balmoral Castle, the Queen’s summer residence.
At the storm’s height, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) had issued a “severe flooding – danger to life” warning for Whitesands in Dumfries and Galloway and for the River Tweed in Peebles.
Four weather warnings remain in place until this afternoon.
Northern Ireland has also experienced a battering by the storm.
Transport links also suffered after Frank rolled in from the Atlantic, with high winds shutting the Clifton Suspension Bridge for only the second time in its 151-year-old history before it was reopened around lunchtime.
There are many traffic disruptions this morning as roads across the country are reported to be flooded.
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Also today a road bridge in West Yorkshire was closed after the carriageway crumbled and collapsed after the floods.
