Storm Babet: Plane skids off runway at Leeds Bradford Airport amid extreme weather
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Major incidents were declared in parts of the UK after three people were killed as Storm Babet continues to batter the UK with high winds, torrential rain and severe flooding.
Across the UK, roads have closed and train services have been left in disarray or cancelled.
Suffolk and Derbyshire county councils declared major incidents, and a man died in fast-flowing floodwater in Shropshire.
It was the storm’s first death in England after a van driver was killed by a falling tree near Forfar, Scotland, and a woman was swept away in a river in Angus.
A passenger plane had to be evacuated after it skidded off the runway at Leeds Bradford Airport as it tried to land in high winds.
The village of Edzell, near Brechin in eastern Scotland, was completely cut off by flooding, while people in 60 homes around Brechin who had refused to budge when the rest of the town was evacuated were finally rescued as hundreds of houses flooded.
The Met Office issued a new red warning for rain, meaning there is a risk to life, in eastern Scotland for all day on Saturday.
Have you been affected by Storm Babet? Email [email protected].
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Roads and bridges collapse
Roads and bridges collapsed as Storm Babet hit Scotland.
A 200-year-old bridge on the Rottal Estate in Angus was washed away by torrential flood water, while a road connecting Marykirk, Angus, where some houses were evacuated also collapsed.
Dee Ward, 58, estate manager for the Rottal Estate said: “I think this is the new pattern, I don’t think we will go back to normal.
“The frightening thing is how much water is coming down in a short space of time.
“I wasn’t surprised the bridge got washed away.
“Big posts had been ripped out further up the hill.”
Zena Cowie, 28, said a road had collapsed that connected Marykirk with the dual carriageway to Montrose, Angus.
Ms Cowie said: “The road at the start of the bridge that crosses the river has collapsed.
“Marykirk is the main way to the dual carriageway to get to the dual carriageway, to go into Montrose.
“The other way is to go into Brechin which is also flooded.”
Jane Dalton20 October 2023 22:30
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Amber and yellow weather warnings for swathes of UK
An amber weather warning for rain is in place for some parts of northern England including Yorkshire and Manchester, as well as some of the Midlands, including Nottingham.
And a yellow weather warning for much of the east coast of the UK has been put in place for wind and rain on Saturday.
Weather warnings for Saturday
(Met Office)
Jane Dalton20 October 2023 21:30
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‘Considerable risk’ of Aberdeenshire river flooding
Aberdeenshire Council warned of “considerable risk of flooding” on the River Don at the weekend.
A spokesperson said: “Latest modelling from Sepa is indicating that there is now a considerable risk of flooding on the River Don at Inverurie, Kemnay and Kintore tomorrow (Sat) between 10am and 2pm.
“This has the potential to impact properties in low-lying areas and we would urge residents and businesses to get prepared and take immediate steps to protect their own property from flooding.”
Jane Dalton20 October 2023 20:20
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Fallen tree blocks rail line
A fallen tree on the Neilston line in Scotland damaged overhead cables.
Jane Dalton20 October 2023 19:50
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Major incident declared in Derbyshire as roads closed
A major incident has been declared in Derbyshire, prompting advice not travel unless essential until further notice this weekend.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service wrote: “Most roads in Derbyshire are affected by flooding and many are closed.
“We are calling on our communities to follow the advice below to keep safe: Do not travel unless essential from now until further information is available later in the weekend.
“Continue to watch for weather and flooding updates. Look out for vulnerable neighbours, especially if they have care services who may not be able to reach them.
“Never drive or walk into floodwater, even if it appears shallow – it could endanger your life.”
“Do not ignore road closed signs,” it added.
Jane Dalton20 October 2023 19:05
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Long delays on A1 amid flooding
Flooding has caused delays of more than an hour on the A1 near Grantham, National Highways has said.
“Due to extensive flooding in the area, the A1 has reduced capacity both ways between the A46 and B6326 near Grantham. Traffic officers, Nottinghamshire Police and contractors are working to clear the water and get the lanes moving; there are delays of 70 minutes on the approach,” it posted.
Jane Dalton20 October 2023 19:00
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Rail lines closed
ScotRail routes currently closed are between:
– Edinburgh and Aberdeen via Fife
– Perth and Aberdeen via Dundee
– Tain and Wick / Thurso
– All Fife Circle services
Jane Dalton20 October 2023 18:45
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Storm Babet travel advice – latest
For more travel advice, see our sister live blog:
Jane Dalton20 October 2023 18:30
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Eight people rescued near Solihull
West Midlands Fire Service rescued eight people and a dog after vehicles became stranded in floodwater in the village of Balsall Common, near Solihull.
“Please avoid the area around Balsall Street, Balsall Common,” the service said.
“Several people whose vehicles got stuck in the water there have been brought to safety on rafts by our firefighters.
“Five men, two women, a child and a dog were ferried from five cars and a van. No-one was hurt.”
A car stuck in floodwater in Sheffield
(PA)
Jane Dalton20 October 2023 18:10
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Thousands stranded after Anglo-Scottish trains cancelled mid-journey
Large parts of the UK rail network are off-limits to travellers tonight due to severe flooding caused by Storm Babet. And there are warnings that disruption may continue until Sunday.
The flagship East Coast main line, linking London, Yorkshire, northeast England and southern Scotland, is at a near-standstill.
LNER, the main operator, said on X: “Severe weather is causing major disruption to train services. Many rail routes are suspended. Please do NOT travel today.
“We have a number of train services currently delayed by this incident and we are working with Network Rail to get these trains moving through the affected area as soon as possible.
“Heavy rain flooding the railway between Grantham and Newark North Gate means trains have to run at a severely reduced speed on all lines.
“The additional journey time caused by the slow speeds is reducing the number of trains that can operate through the affected area.”
Tickets for travel on 20 October will be valid for travel until 27 October. The line is flooded at Grantham, with many trains to the north and south cancelled.
ScotRail has closed seven routes in eastern Scotland. It says: “Exceptionally wet and windy conditions have severely affected much of the country since Thursday, causing the Met Office to issue a red weather warning alongside a number of amber warnings.
“Another 24-hour red weather warning will come into place from midnight tonight in the northeast of the country and elsewhere there will still be very heavy rainfall and gusts of winds exceeding 55 miles per hour until at least Saturday afternoon.”
Jane Dalton20 October 2023 18:01
https://www.independent.co.uk/weather/babet-storm-uk-scotland-flooding-b2433409.html
