Two regions declares major incidents with 59 people rescued in Leicestershire - as children stranded in flood-hit school

6 January 2025, 14:31 | Updated: 6 January 2025, 22:46

Lincolnshire has become the second county in the UK to declare a major incident hours after neighbouring Leicestershire became the first.

The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum has said emergency services have "operational responses" in place for "a number of ongoing incidents".

These include "multiple road closures" across the county as a result of flooding. The group also reports emergency services are working to get children - who are "safe and well" - stranded at a school in Edenham to safety.

"We expect to see conditions worsen overnight as surface water ices over and conditions on both treated and untreated roads will be very icy and pose a risk," they added.

Earlier, in Leicestershire a major incident has been declared with emergency services saying they had received over 200 calls since this morning and rescued 59 people.

Crews are attending incidents involving stranded vehicles, flooded homes, and rising water levels, the service added.

They added that due to the continuation of cold wet weather causing hazardous conditions across the county, they have asked people to "avoid non-essential travel, and to not attempt to drive through flood water".

Across the UK, the Environment Agency issued 166 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 299 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, across England as of 8am on Monday.

At the same point, National Resources Wales had issued three flood warnings and 34 flood alerts.

Hundreds of schools have also been shut today because of the weather with road, rail and air travel also disrupted.

Fresh warnings for snow and ice will come in for most of the UK later.

Judi Beresford, Assistant Chief Fire and Rescue Officer said, "Flooding poses a serious risk to lives and property, and we urge everyone to take these warnings seriously.

"Our Control room and crews are working tirelessly to assist those in need and to keep people safe.

"We are working with our partners to reduce the impact of this major incident and ask the public to avoid flooded routes when travelling and never to enter floodwater"

Read more: What is the Cold Weather Payment and are you eligible?

Read more: Britain's big freeze grounds flights and causes travel chaos as heavy snow sees two major airports close runways

Flooding has forced the closure of all railway lines between Derby and both Nottingham and East Midlands Parkway. This is affecting CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway services.

The operators are also disrupted by flooding closing all lines between Peterborough and Leicester.

Southeastern trains are unable to run from Ramsgate or Margate towards London via Canterbury West because of a fallen tree.

Flooding near Hooton, Cheshire, means Merseyrail's Chester services are suspended while Ellesmere Port services will run as far as Hooton.

People rescued from flooded car amid flooding in Leicester

Manchester Airport said its runways have reopened after being closed because of severe weather.

The airport said in a statement: "Our runways are now open but, as a result of the earlier closure, some departures and arrivals may still experience delays.

"Please check with your airline for the latest flight information and allow extra time for your journey today."

If you are experiencing flooding at your property, take the following steps

• Implement your flood action plan
• Keep every person and animal safe
• Move any important documents upstairs to a first-floor
• Sandbags may be provided by your local council; in the event this is not the case, a local builder's yard can normally help
• Turn off electricity, gas, and water
• Take photos of any flood damage
• Sign up for free flood alerts in your local area, if you haven't already
• Contact your insurance provider who can help you further
• Check on vulnerable neighbours and see if they require further assistance

Leicestershire flooding