Major flooding incident declared as fresh snow warnings issued
A major flooding incident has been declared in Leicestershire with residents advised to avoid non-essential travel.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) said crews had responded to "multiple incidents" in which 17 members of the public had to be rescued.
It comes as the Environment Agency has put more than 160 flood warnings in place across England - meaning that flooding is "likely" - and more than 300 flood alerts. Advertisement Advertisement
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Snow and flooding has caused a second day of travel chaos, as Manchester Airport closed its runways this morning due to heavy snow, delaying numerous flights.
The M25 in Surrey has seen major delays after a lorry crash, while the A66 in Cumbria is closed in both directions between the A1M and the M6 because of snow.
Rail routes across the country have also been delayed by flooding, including routes between Bristol Parkway and Gloucester.
The Met Office has also issued several new yellow weather warnings, with snow expected across southern England on Wednesday.
05:11 PM GMT
That's all for today
Thank you for following The Telegraph's live coverage of flooding and snowfall in Britain. This live blog is now closed.
04:34 PM GMT
Children stranded at primary school by flooding
Children are stranded at a Lincolnshire primary school after severe flooding. Advertisement
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Pupils of Edenham Church of England primary school were said to be "safe and well" as the emergency services looked to rescue them.
In a statement, the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (LRF), which coordinates emergency services in the county, said: "Emergency services are also working to get children currently stranded at a school in Edenham home safely. They are safe and well, routes around affected."
04:11 PM GMT
Major incident declared in Lincolnshire after floods
A major incident has been declared in Lincolnshire following widespread flooding.
The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (LRF), which coordinates emergency services in the county, said it had "concern" about freezing temperatures forecast overnight and over the coming days.
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The Environment Agency has issued 26 flood warnings for Lincolnshire and 16 roads in the county are closed or impassable due to flooding.
Supt Pat Coates, of Lincolnshire Police, said: "The concern overnight and in the coming days is the freezing weather.
The forecast looks dry but we're concerned about the standing water and anything that runs off the fields.
"Members of the public should not ignore road closures. We don't want any more damage or people to be put at unnecessary risk."
Lincolnshire is the second county where a major incident has been declared, following Leicestershire.
03:49 PM GMT
Watch: Restaurateur saves woman from car submerged in floodwater
A "hero" restaurateur rescued a woman from her car after it became submerged in floodwater. Advertisement
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Cimi Kazazi, who runs The Italian Greyhound pub and restaurant in Great Glen, Leicestershire, carried the woman, 63, from her car when it became stranded in metre-deep water on Monday morning.
"She said if I stayed there another 15 minutes she would have died, she would have passed out," Mr Kazazi told LeicestershireLive.
"The water was completely freezing - worse than Iceland, worse than Siberia. She was very shaky and had her phone in her hand.
I said forget about everything else in the car, don't worry about anything, let everything go."
The rescued woman, who asked not to be named, told BBC News: "I have never been in a situation like this before. I was getting freezing and feeling very dizzy. They got to me at just the nick of time."
Credit: Facebook / The Italian Greyhound
03:22 PM GMT
Pictured: Flooding in Leicestershire
A man wades through floodwaters in Loughborough after the Wood Brook burst its banks - Mark Severn/SWNS
03:06 PM GMT
Leicestershire flooding 'worst I've seen', says local
Flooding in Leicestershire has been described by a local as the worst she has ever seen after a major incident was declared in the county.
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Sonia Wheatley, a support worker from Loughborough, missed work on Monday because the roads were flooded.
Mrs Wheatley, 52, whose husband also missed work, said: "I've never missed work before because of the weather. Last year when it flooded, I managed to get through the floods, but it's never been this bad."
Mrs Wheatley left earlier than usual on Monday morning in anticipation of the flooding but said the water became too high to risk going through.
"There's no rain at the moment, so I'm hoping I'll be able to get through tomorrow," she added.
02:50 PM GMT
Drinkers snowed in at Britain's highest pub
Drinkers have been snowed in at Britain's highest pub after heavy snowfall in the Pennines.
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Visitors at the Tan Hill Inn, in North Yorkshire, have been hunkered down inside the pub since Sunday.
A total of 32 guests, including a four-year-old child, and six members of staff are snowed in at the inn, which is 528 metres (1,732 ft) above sea level.
Paul Wright, who is visiting Britain from Australia, is one of those stuck at the pub. "There's a lovely group of people here, the people that run this place are so warm and welcoming and friendly," he said.
Drivers attempt to dig out their cars at the Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire - Paul Wright/SWNS
Paul Wright, who is visiting Britain from Australia, with his family at the pub - Paul Wright/SWNS Advertisement
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02:42 PM GMT
More than 500 flood warnings now in place
More than 500 flood warnings are now in place across England and Wales.
As of 2.30pm, the Environment Agency had issued 173 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 314 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.
In Wales, Natural Resources Wales had two flood warnings and 19 flood alerts in place, meaning the total across the two countries was 506.
02:21 PM GMT
Watch: Extent of flooding in Kent as vehicles left abandoned
02:09 PM GMT
Major incident declared in Leicestershire
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) declared a major incident in response to widespread flooding across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
People were advised to avoid non-essential travel and not to drive through flood water.
The rescue service reported "multiple incidents" as crews responded to over 200 calls, involving cars stuck in flood water, evacuating residents from flooded homes, and rising water. Advertisement Advertisement
LFRS said its crews had rescued 17 members of the public.
02:03 PM GMT
Gatwick Airport railway station evacuated after train fire
Firefighters were called to a fire involving a passenger train at Gatwick Airport railway station.
The station has been closed as it was evacuated to the airport's South Terminal.
A spokesperson for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said: "We are currently responding to a small fire involving a passenger train at Gatwick railway station, South Terminal.
"Crews from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and Gatwick Fire & Rescue Service are at the scene.
"All passengers are off the train and the railway station has been evacuated.
"The station is closed while firefighters respond to the incident."
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Gatwick Express services are suspended with additional disruption between Bedford and Three Bridges expected to last until 3pm.
01:47 PM GMT
More than 27,000 properties lost power across Yorkshire and the North East
Northern Powergrid revealed more than 27,000 homes were without power during the freezing winter weather this weekend, with some still waiting for it to be restored.
The network operator said the Yorkshire region was worst affected and that its teams worked around the clock to restore electricity supplies to all but around 100 customers by Monday lunchtime.
A spokesman said: "Our network continued to be impacted by the wintry weather conditions overnight, leading to customers predominately across Yorkshire and Northumberland experiencing power cuts.
"We understand how difficult a power cut can be, particularly in these conditions, and our teams will continue to work until all of our customers' power is back on."
01:31 PM GMT
In pictures: Familiar flooding at caravan site
The Little Venice Caravan Park near Yalding, Kent, was almost entirely submerged in flood water today.
Historically, the park has struggled with flooding as the River Medway is located just yards away.
The River Medway was one of rivers the Environment Agency warned was likely to burst its banks. - Peter Macdiarmid/LNP
Two men take a dog for a stroll in the flooded car park - Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
01:14 PM GMT
Flooding and snow still causing delays on the roads
National Highways is reporting there is still major disruption ongoing because of bad weather
The A52 is closed eastbound between Ruddington and Wheatcroft due to "significant flooding".
Heavy rainfall caused flooding and the closure of the A40 westbound between the M5 (J11) and the A417 near Gloucester.
The A1 in Lincolnshire is closed in both directions from near Newark-on-Trent and Grantham due to "extensive flooding".
The A628 Woodhead Pass will also remain closed overnight in both directions between Flouch and Hollingworth due to flooding.
Snow has caused the A66 in County Durham to shut in both directions between the A1M (J53) and the M6 (J40).
The M25 is still closed anti clockwise between J9 and J8, after a lorry crashed into the central reservation and toppled over.
Staff clearing the car park at the Grains Bar Hotel in Oldham - Sean Hansford
12:55 PM GMT
RAC dealing with 20 breakdowns a minute
The RAC said Monday would "undoubtedly" be the busiest day of winter so far as vehicles breakdown in the bad weather.
"Our patrols are working exceptionally hard rescuing thousands of our members in difficult conditions," RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said.
"Waiting times will be longer as a result."
He said recovery teams were expecting to be 80 per cent busier than usual as "many people are using their vehicles for the first time after a festive break".
"At our peak today, we will be dealing with upwards of 20 new breakdowns every minute," he continued.
"Conditions are especially challenging due to heavy rain and snowmelt causing flooding across the country."
12:11 PM GMT
Pictured: Curlers make the most of Arctic blast
Members of the Muir Of Ord curling club on the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands managed to hold an outdoor bonspiel thanks to the cold weather as temperatures in the area fell to -10C over the weekend - Peter Jolly
12:01 PM GMT
Amber cold health alerts extended
Following the Met Office's new warnings, the amber alerts across England have been extended until Sunday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had upgraded earlier yellow alerts to amber and said there would be "significant impacts" on health services.
According to the agency, amber alerts are issued when health and social care is impacted and there is "potential for the whole population to be at risk".
Now, they will last until Sunday as Britain braces for more potential snow and an accompanying cold snap.
11:25 AM GMT
Met Office issues new snow warnings
With all of the Met Office's remaining weather warnings set to expire by midday today, forecasters have just issued several more.
A new yellow weather warning for snow covering southern England will be in place from 9am on Wednesday until midnight.
The Met Office warned the snow - of which there could be as much as 10cm on higher ground - could prove "disruptive".
Another yellow warning for snow and ice will come into force at 5pm today and last until 10am tomorrow. It covers almost all of Wales, some parts of the Midlands, as well as the west of England from Cornwall to Lancashire.
Elsewhere, snow and ice warning covering Northern Ireland from 3pm today until 11am tomorrow, as well as another yellow warning for the same thing covering the west and north-west of Scotland.
11:07 AM GMT
Pictured: Drivers get stuck in flood water
A pair of drivers appear to have dismissed the Environment Agency's advice of not driving through water deeper than 30cm after getting stuck in Bakewell, Derbyshire - SWNS
11:00 AM GMT
Round up of train disruption
National Rail has provided updates with train routes that have been affected by flooding and bad weather.
Delays between Nottingham and Grantham are now expected until midday.
Flooding means that there are no services between Hooton and either Chester or Ellesmere Port for the rest of the day.
Buses are being offered as a rail replacement service.
Northern Rail has said flooding between Manchester Victoria and Chester has led to cancellations or delays of over an hour.
It also said trains were unable to call at Rotherham Central because of flooding
There is disruption between both Nottingham and Grantham and Peterborough and Leicester.
Heavy rain has also flooded the railway in Derby, affecting routes to Leicester, Nottingham and London St Pancras International.
10:36 AM GMT
Weather's impact on air travel revealed
Bad weather has had a major impact on Britain's airports, writes Gareth Corfield, transport correspondent.
Data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, show that on Sunday six per cent of all UK departures - that is 152 flights - had to be cancelled.
A further 136 arrivals, making up 5 per cent of all inbound flights, were also cancelled.
Manchester, Heathrow and Leeds Bradford were the three worst-affected airports.
So far four flights have been cancelled today - but Cirium has warned that this "is likely to rise as the day progresses".
10:24 AM GMT
Pictured: Country blanketed in snow
Sheep acclimatise to snow in Studfold, in the Yorkshire Dales, with more snow expected throughout the day - Danny Lawson/PA
More scenes from Studfold, as a lorry driver makes the most of clear road ahead - Danny Lawson/PA
Meanwhile, residents in Buxton, Derbyshire, awoke to similar levels of snow - Tom Maddick/SWNS
09:37 AM GMT
Scotland also sees school closures
A number of schools in north-east Scotland have also been forced to close after the country was hit by overnight snow and ice.
More than 80 schools and nurseries across Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland council areas are shut because of snow and poor driving conditions on what should have been the first day back for pupils after the holidays.
A Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice remains in place across the north east and east of the country as far south as Edinburgh until midday on Monday.
It warned that more than 10cm could fall on ground above 200 metres in northern areas, while further south snowfall accumulation is likely to be "patchier" and generally between 1cm to 2cm.
A warning of snow across northern, western and south-west Scotland is in force until 11am on Monday.
Areas in the south west could see 2-5cm of snow in some places, mainly above 200m, while areas further north could see 1-4cm accumulate.
A warning of snow in south-eastern Scotland, extending from Edinburgh to Lanark and Lockerbie and down to the border, is also in force until midday on Monday.
09:12 AM GMT
Hundreds of schools closed on first day back
Hundreds of schools across Lancashire and Yorkshire have announced that they are closed on what was supposed to be their first day back after the Christmas break.
Bradford city council's website is reporting 178 school closures on Monday morning because of the weather.
Those that are opening will be opening at 10am, to allow the safe travel of staff and families.
According to Lancashire county council, dozens more have closed because of the "adverse weather", which has continued into the new week.
09:00 AM GMT
Pictured: Commuters battle the elements on their return to work
It was a wet and windy start to the week for commuters on London Bridge - Stephen Lock / i-Images
In what is the first full week back to work of the New Year, a commuter braves wintry conditions in Bradford - Danny Lawson/PA Wire
08:48 AM GMT
Coldest night of winter so far
The Met Office has confirmed that Sunday was the coldest night of winter so far, after a temperature of -13.3C was recorded in Loch Glascarnoch, in the Scottish Highlands.
The recording does not quite match last January's coldest temperature of -14C, which was also set in Scotland, in Dalwhinnie.
A temperature disparity was again noticeable, with St James's Park in London enjoying lows of a comparatively balmy 11.4C.
However, forecasters have warned Britons to brace for a "bitterly cold" remainder of the week.
08:35 AM GMT
Flood warnings continue to rise
The Environment Agency has now issued 169 flood warnings across England - meaning that flooding is "expected" - as river levels rise.
Some of the waterways at risk include the Bristol River Avon, the River Taw and the Wye.
This is a dramatic rise from the 10 that were issued by Sunday afternoon.
There have also been 304 flood alerts put in place, which the agency said means that flooding is possible.
Elsewhere, National Resources Wales has issued three flood warnings and 34 flood alerts.
08:07 AM GMT
What weather warnings are still in place?
Two amber warnings for snow and ice have now expired, but several yellow warnings are still in place.
A yellow rain warning for southern England from Cornwall across to Kent will last until 9am on Monday, while a separate rain warning covering much of Wales, the Midlands and parts of Greater Manchester and Yorkshire was extended from 8am until 10am by the Met Office.
A yellow warning for snow and ice covering most of northern England and Wales is in place until midday on Monday, while a yellow ice warning covering large parts of Northern Ireland expires at 11am.
The north and west of Scotland are covered by a yellow warning for snow and ice until 11am, with another for snow and ice in central and eastern parts of the country in place until midday.
A further yellow snow warning covering part of the Scottish Lowlands including Edinburgh is in place until midday.
An amber weather warning for snow - which covered parts of Lancashire, Cumbria and the Lake District - expired at 6am on Monday.
07:59 AM GMT
Snow and flooding continuing to cause trouble on the roads
As well as delays on the M25 and M5, National Highways is reporting a number of A-road closures because of snow, flooding or crashes. These include:
The A66 in Cumbria in both directions between the A1M and the M6 because of snow.
The A628 Woodhead Pass in South Yorkshire/Derbyshire in both directions between the A616 for Flouch and the A57 for Hollingworth because of flooding.
The A1 in Lincolnshire in both directions between the A607 for Grantham and the B1174 for Little Ponton because of flooding.
The A49 in Herefordshire in both directions between the A4112 for Stockton and the A44 for Leominster because of flooding.
The A38 in Derbyshire northbound from the A50 for Findern to the A5111 for Mickleover because of a crash.
The A46 in Warwickshire is also closed in both directions between the A452 for Kenilworth and the M40 (junction 15) because of a crash.
07:52 AM GMT
Flooding and fallen trees causing chaos to train timetables
Flooding between Bristol Parkway and Gloucester means that trains running between them may be delayed by up to 30 minutes or cancelled cancelled entirely.
Routes between Peterborough and Leicester have been blocked by flooding meaning that all lines are currently closed.
TransPennine Express has reported severe weather between Barnetby and Scunthorpe, meaning that trains have to run at reduced speed causing delays of up to 30 minutes.
Elsewhere, Northern Rail said its trains were unable to call at Rotherm Central because of flooding, with delays expected to last until 11.45am.
A tree has fallen on the Southeastern line between Ramsgate and Canterbury West.
Lines have now reopened following heavy rain flooding the railway between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford.
07:38 AM GMT
Pictured: Britain wakes up to more winter weather and travel chaos
Snow and flooding has continued to cause chaos into Monday following major disruption over the weekend - NB PRESS LTD
Roads in Chiswick, London, are just some across the south of England that have flooded after heavy rain and melting snow - George Cracknell Wright
07:33 AM GMT
Flooding and snow causing major delays on roads
Thousands of journeys on the M25 in Surrey were delayed after a lorry crashed into the central reservation and toppled over, causing it to be closed anti-clockwise between junctions 10 and eight.
Elsewhere, National Highways said the M5 in Gloucestershire is closed southbound from junction 11A for Gloucester to junction 12 for Quedgeley because of "extensive flooding".
In an update at 7.05am, it said "contractors are en route to try and deal with the flooding".
The link road from junction 11A southbound to the A417 southbound at Brockworth interchange was closed after "flooding following heavy rainfall in the area caused drains to become blocked" but was later reopened.
Warwickshire Police said early on Monday that a stretch of the A46 was shut in both directions because of flooding.
07:27 AM GMT
Manchester Airport closes runways and warns of more delays
For the second day in a row, Manchester Airport had to close its runways because of "heavy snow".
In a post on social media at 6.30am, it said they would have to be temporarily closed.
By 7.15am, teams had managed to clear the snow and could be reopened.
However, the airport warned that departures and arrivals "may still experience delays" as a result of the earlier closure.
Passengers were urged to check the latest flight information with their individual airlines and to allow extra time for their journeys.
07:26 AM GMT
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