Met Office issues grim ice warning to flood-hit Brits still reeling from Storm Babet

22/10/2023

The miserable weather is set to continue as weather warnings for ice are coming into force after Storm Babet unleashed its wrath across the UK. The yellow ice alert from the Met Office [1] will be in place between 9pm on Sunday and 9am on Monday. It covers the vast majority of Scotland [2] – excluding the west coast – and parts of the very north of England.

Two severe flood warnings have been put in place near the River Idle, near Retford, Nottinghamshire, – meaning the flooding poses a risk of death [3] or serious injury. It comes after an 83-year-old who died while trying to escape her flooding flat was named as Maureen Gilbert [4], a “housebound” grandmother who was “unable to escape upstairs at the speed the water levels were rising”.

The warning covers a large part of Scotland (met office)

It is expected that the River Idle will reach record levels in the flooding, according to the Nottinghamshire Local Resilience Form (LRF). Nottinghamshire Fire [5] Service have asked 200 properties to evacuate and emergency services are actively assisting residents in this process.

A rest centre has been established at Retford Leisure Centre to provide shelter and support. The Environment Agency has issued a warning that major rivers may remain flooded until Tuesday. Train services in several areas, including Scotland, Yorkshire, and East Anglia, are experiencing severe disruptions due to ongoing flooding.

As per the agency’s data, 1,229 properties in England are currently flooded, with an additional 22,000 protected by defences. Katharine Smith, the flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, emphasised the likelihood of widespread river flooding in parts of the Midlands and the north of England, with flooding potentially lasting until Monday in Yorkshire, the Humber, and the East Midlands. The agency has deployed teams to operate flood barriers and pumps to mitigate flooding impacts.

Flood gates have also been closed in affected areas. People are strongly advised to avoid swollen rivers and refrain from driving through flood waters – as even 30cm of flowing water can move a vehicle. Derby City Council reports record-breaking water levels in the River Derwent, anticipating a multi-day cleanup effort after the floods.

Over the weekend, three severe flood warnings were in place around the River Derwent in Derbyshire but were downgraded on Sunday morning. As of 11 am, more than 170 flood warnings, indicating less dangerous flooding, remained in effect across England.

The inside of Maureen Gilbert’s home – who sadly passed away over the weekend (Lee McLean / SWNS)

The impact of the storm extends to the disruption of train services, with London North Eastern Railway (LNER) advising its customers that no services are operating north of Edinburgh to Aberdeen. ScotRail has also closed routes between Aberdeen and Dundee, Aberdeen and Elgin, and cannot run services on the Fife Circle route.

Met Office spokesperson Dave Britton suggested that those most affected by the flooding might experience a couple of quieter days. He added that a period of more settled weather [7] is expected, offering a respite for recovery, but there’s a pulse of rain anticipated for later on Monday and into Tuesday. The rest of the week may remain unsettled with sporadic rain, although no further warnings are currently in effect.

The Energy Network Association (ENA) said a “small handful” of homes were still without power on Sunday, following initial power cuts affecting around 100,000 customers. And it is so far believed that Storm Babet has taken 9 lives. On Friday, a man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing flood water in the town of Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire.

Yesterday, two pensioners died in a car crash in North Yorkshire when they veered off a bridge. Police Scotland [8] previously said a falling tree hit a van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday evening, killing the 56-year-old driver. A 57-year-old woman also died on Thursday after being swept into a river in the region.

Here is the full updated list of flood warnings:

2 severe flood warnings (danger to life) River Idle at Retford, Eaton and Gamston River Idle at West Retford and Ordsall

143 flood warnings (flooding is expected) Areas near the East and West Fen Catchwater and the Maud Foster Drain Barlings Eau in Langworth

Ea Beck at Shaftholme Ea Beck at Thorpe Marsh and Almholme English River Dee at Farndon

Heighington Beck in Heighington Isolated properties and villages in the east of the South Forty Foot Drain Isolated properties and villages in the west of the South Forty Foot Drain and its tributaries

Isolated properties and villages near to the River Ancholme from Bishopbridge to Brigg Isolated properties near the River Lymn and Steeping Low Barlings and the Short Ferry area

River Aire at Allerton Ings, Barnsdale Road and Properties River Aire at Chapel Haddlesey River Aire at East Haddlesey

River Aire at West Haddlesey River Avon at Strensham and Bredon River Avon at Twyning

River Bain and Haltham Beck in Haltham and Kirkby on Bain River Bain in Coningsby and Tattershall River Bain in Horncastle

River Blythe at Blyth End River Derwent at Allestree Ford Lane Bridge and Darley Abbey Park River Derwent at Alvaston

River Derwent at Ambaston Lane River Derwent at Church Wilne and Wilne Lane River Derwent at Darley Abbey, Folly Road

River Derwent at Derby City River Derwent at Derby City Water Treatment Works River Derwent at Little Chester, Eastgate and Cattle Market

River Derwent at Little Eaton River Derwent at Pride Park and Derby Railway Station River Derwent at Racecourse Park at Chaddesden

River Derwent at Raynesway River Don at Bentley River Don at Bentley Moor

River Don at Braithwaite River Don at Fishlake River Don at Kirk Bramwith

River Don at Newton Farm River Don at South Bramwith River Don at Stainforth

River Don at Thorpe in Balne River Don at Trumfleet River Dove at Dovefields Crossing and Saltbrook Cottage

River East Glen in the East Glen Valley River Eau at Scotter River Maun at Haughton, Milton and West Drayton

River Meden at Budby River Ouse at Naburn Lock River Ouse at York – riverside properties

River Ouse at York – St George’s Field and Queen’s Staith River Rother at Catcliffe River Rother at Treeton

River Ryton at Scrooby including Serlby Rivers Erewash and Trent at Toton River Severn at Apperley and The Leigh

River Severn at Clifton and Severn Stoke River Severn at Court Meadow, Kempsey and Callow End River Severn at East Waterside, Upton upon Severn

River Severn at Frankwell, Shrewsbury River Severn at Hampton Loade and Highley River Severn at Hanley Castle, Rectory Road in Upton upon Severn and Saxons Lode

River Severn at Hanley Road, Upton upon Severn River Severn at Hawford Wood and Bevere River Severn at Ironbridge and Jackfield

River Severn at New Street and Backfields Lane, Upton upon Severn River Severn at Pitchcroft, North Worcester River Severn at Quatford

River Severn at Severn Ham, Tewkesbury River Severn at Severnside, Bewdley River Severn at Shrawardine, Montford Bridge and Mytton

River Severn at Shrewsbury River Severn at the Showground and The Quarry, Shrewsbury River Severn at Waterside, Upton upon Severn

River Severn at Wribbenhall, Bewdley River Severn in North Worcester River Severn in South Worcester

River Soar at caravan parks near Barrow upon Soar River Soar at Redhill and Kegworth Bridge River Soar at Zouch Island

River Sow at Stafford River Sow St. Thomas area

River Sow Tixall area River Steeping in Wainfleet All Saints Rivers Trent and Derwent at Shardlow and Great Wilne

Rivers Trent and Erewash at Chilwell and Attenborough River Teme at Bransford River Teme at Knightwick, Doddenham and Broadwas

River Teme at Leigh River Teme at Stanford Bridge River Thet at Shropham, East Harling and Shadwell

River Trent at Attenborough Nature Reserve River Trent at Barrow upon Trent River Trent at Beeston Lock and Marina

River Trent at Carlton on Trent including Beck Cottage River Trent at Castle Donington around Kings Mill River Trent at Catton, Barton under Needwood and Branston Water Park

River Trent at Cavendish Bridge River Trent at Caythorpe River Trent at Collingham

River Trent at Farndon riverside properties including Dorner Avenue and Wyke and Marsh Lane River Trent at Fiskerton Mill including Rolleston Fields, Gorse and Nurseries River Trent at Gibsmere and Gipsy Lane at Bleasby

River Trent at Girton River Trent at Great Haywood Little Haywood and Colwich River Trent at Gunthorpe including the A6097

River Trent at Hill Ridware, Pipe Ridware and Mavesyn Ridware River Trent at Holme River Trent at Holme Pierrepont

River Trent at Holme Pierrepont for the National Watersports Centre River Trent at Hoveringham River Trent at Lenton for Nottingham Park and Ride Site at Queens Drive

River Trent at Newark for riverside properties River Trent at Newark Sugar Factory and Kelham Bridge River Trent at Newark Tolney Lane and Riverside Marinas

River Trent at Radcliffe on Trent Caravan Park River Trent at riverside areas of Burton upon Trent River Trent at Rugeley

River Trent at Shelford for Shelford Manor and The Holmes River Trent at Stoke Bardolph River Trent at Swarkestone

River Trent at Thrumpton including Barton Ferry River Trent at Trentlock River Trent at Twyford

River Trent at Willington around Repton Road River Vyrnwy at Maesbrook River Vyrnwy at Melverley

River Waring immediately upstream of Stanhope Road River Weaver at Acton Bridge and Weaverham River Wissey at Mundford, Stoke Ferry and Hilgay

River Witham and associated Fens from Chapel Hill to Boston River Witham and associated Fens from Washingborough to Metheringham River Witham and associated Fens from Woodhall Spa to Chapel Hill

Ruskington Beck in Ruskington The River Gipping from Needham Market to London Road Bridge, Ipswich The River Lark from Clopton to Martlesham

The River Stour from Boxted to Dedham The River Tas through Stoke Holy Cross The River Waveney from Bungay to Ellingham

The River Waveney from Diss to Bungay The River Yare from the A11 at Cringleford to Trowse Newton Wider area at risk around Croft

Wider area at risk around Thorpe St Peter and Wainfleet All Saints

137 flood alerts (flooding is possible) Alconbury Brook in Cambridgeshire Bain catchment

Barlings Eau and Duckpool Catchwater Bourne Brook (Tamworth) Bow and Piddle Brook

Burton Trent Bury Brook in Cambridgeshire East and West Fens

East and West Glens Ellington Brook in Cambridgeshire Fossdyke Canal

Holderness Drain Humber tributaries Hundred Foot Washes in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk

Kempsey Village Lincolnshire East Coast Rivers Lincoln Watercourses

Little Ouse River and River Thet in Suffolk and Norfolk Loughborough urban watercourses and local tributaries to the River Soar Louth Canal and Waithe Beck

Lower Derwent in Derbyshire Lower Dove Lower Glen and Bourne Eau System

Lower Nene Lower River Aire catchment Lower River Ancholme

Lower River Cam in Cambridgeshire Lower River Derwent Lower River Don catchment

Lower River Rother Lower River Soar in Leicestershire Lower River Ure

Lower River Witham Lower Tame Lower Teme

Lower Welland Mid Bristol Avon area Middle Avon Rugby to Bidford

Middle River Aire catchment Middle River Great Ouse in Milton Keynes, Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire Middle Tame

Minor Watercourses from Heighington to Dunston Minor watercourses of the South Forty Foot Drain Rase and Upper Ancholme

Rea Brook and Cound Brook River Amber in Derbyshire River Anker and River Sence

River Avon in Worcestershire River Blythe in Warwickshire River Cherwell from Lower Heyford down to and including Oxford

River Cole and Dorcan Brook River Dee catchment in England from Whitchurch to Chester River Devon and Smite in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire

River Eau in Scotter River Ecclesbourne in Derbyshire River Erewash in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

River Erewash Tributaries in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire River Evenlode from Moreton in Marsh to Cassington and also the River Glyme at Wootton and Woodstock River Foulness and Market Weighton catchment

River Gowy catchment including areas around Frodsham River Granta in Essex and Cambridgeshire River Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire from Brampton to Earith

River Idle in Nottinghamshire River Ise and Alledge Brook River Leadon catchment

River Leam and River Itchen River Lugg North of Leominster River Lugg south of Leominster

River Maun in Nottinghamshire River Mease River Meden in Nottinghamshire

River Ock from Watchfield to Abingdon, and also the Letcombe Brook at Wantage, Grove and East Hanney River Ray and its tributaries from Shipton Lee to and including Islip River Rhee in Central Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire

River Sence in Leicestershire River Severn in Gloucestershire River Severn in Shropshire

River Severn in Worcestershire River Sow and River Penk Rivers Pont and Blyth

River Steeping River Thame, Horsenden Stream and Chalgrove Brook River Thames and its small tributaries from Calcutt to Lechlade

River Thames and tributaries from Buscot Wick down to Kings Lock River Tove in Northamptonshire River Trent from Cromwell Weir to Gainsborough

River Trent in Derbyshire River Trent in Nottinghamshire River Trent Tributaries in Nottinghamshire

River Wiske and other tributaries of the River Swale River Wissey in Norfolk River Worfe

River Wreake in Leicestershire River Wye in Derbyshire River Wye in Gloucestershire

River Wye in Herefordshire Rothley Brook and Quorn Brook in Leicestershire Rugeley Trent

Ryton Oldcotes catchment Severn Vyrnwy confluence South East Holderness

Tern and Perry catchments The Rattlesden River and River Gipping, through and including Stowmarket and Needham Market The River Bure, Spixworth Beck and surrounding Becks

The River Colne from Great Yeldham to Colchester The River Gipping, from downstream of Needham Market, to upstream of London Road Bridge, Ipswich The Rivers Deben and Lark

The River Stiffkey from Fulmodeston to Warham The River Stour from Sudbury to Stratford St Mary and Dedham The Rivers Tud and Wensum from Fakenham to Costessey, including Wendling Beck

The River Till The River Waveney from Diss and the River Dove to Ellingham, including Bungay The River Yare at Norwich, from Cringleford to Trowse Newton

The tidal Rivers Bure, Ant and Thurne The tidal River Waveney from Ellingham to Breydon Water The upper Rivers Yare, Tiffey, Tas and Wacton

The upper Stour and surrounding tributaries Tidal River Ouse, Don and the Dutch River catchment Tidal River Ouse from Naburn Lock to Selby

Tidal River Ouse from Selby to Faxfleet Tributaries in North Derbyshire Tributaries in South Derbyshire

Tributaries of the lower River Witham from Blankney to Sleaford Tributaries on the Upper River Thames above Cricklade Upper Avon River Swift and Clay Coton Brook

Upper Derwent in Derbyshire Upper River Derwent Upper River Ouse

Upper River Rother catchment Upper Soar catchment Upper Teme

Weaver catchment including Nantwich, Frodsham, Crewe, Winsford and Northwich Welland tributaries Welland Valley

Wider area of the South Forty Foot Drain

Witham in North Kesteven

Witham in South Kesteven

References

^ Met Office (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Scotland (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ risk of death (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ named as Maureen Gilbert (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Fire (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Storm Babet’s ninth victim was ‘housebound grandmother trying to flee her flooded home’ (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ weather (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Police Scotland (www.mirror.co.uk)