Warnings of more floods and ice after Storm Babet leaves hundreds of homes submerged

UK

There could be more flooding this week, the Environment Agency (EA) has warned, after heavy downpours brought by Storm Babet left hundreds of properties submerged in water.

The agency said more flood alerts are expected for some of the areas worst affected by Storm Babet into next week – despite severe flood warnings, meaning risk of death or serious injury, being lifted.

“River flooding will continue into Wednesday along the River Severn,” the EA said.

“Further flooding is possible from rivers and surface water on Tuesday and Wednesday for parts of England due to further heavy rain.”

Around 1,250 properties in England have been flooded and an estimated 30,000 properties have been protected from flooding, the EA said.

Met Office map
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Ice warnings have been issued

It comes as the Met Office issued overnight warnings for ice, which will remain in place in Scotland and northern England until 9am today.

Maureen Gilbert, 83, was found dead after her home was hit by flooding in Derbyshire, taking the number of people who have died since the storm hit the UK to at least four.

More on Storm Babet

Derbyshire Police said the pensioner was found dead at about 10.35am on Saturday at her home in Tapton Terrace, Chesterfield.

Paul and Maureen Gilbert
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Paul and Maureen Gilbert

Her son Paul Gilbert told Sky News he found his mother “floating in the water”.

He told Sky News: “I did not want to find my own mum and I expected somebody else to have found her.

“I go through so many different stages, anger, upset, I don’t know. I can’t put it into words what it means at the moment.”

Wendy Taylor, 57, died after being swept into the Water of Lee, Glen Esk, on Thursday, Police Scotland said.

Wendy Taylor. Pic: Police Scotland
Image:
Wendy Taylor. Pic: Police Scotland

Her family described her as “a ray of sunshine for everyone who was fortunate enough to know her” in a tribute issued through police.

“We are absolutely heartbroken to lose Wendy in such tragic circumstances and are still struggling to come to terms with it. Wendy was a beautiful, kind, funny and caring person,” they said.

“Wendy was the beloved wife, best friend and soulmate in life to George, mother to James, Sally and Susanna and Granny to India and George.”

Sky weather – check the latest UK forecast

First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf will visit Brechin, Angus, today to see where the River South Esk burst its banks and flooded dozens of homes last week during Storm Babet.

Angus and Aberdeenshire were badly hit by the storm and teams have been clearing debris from roads, while those hit by flooding are making repairs.

Residents of River Street in Brechin were trying to dry out their homes as they surveyed the damage from the floodwater.

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Storm Babet aftermath

Derby City Council saw record-breaking water levels in the River Derwent and warned that cleaning up after the floods could take several days.

Met Office spokesman Dave Britton said those worst affected by the flooding caused by Storm Babet could see “a couple of quieter days”.

Mr Britton said more settled weather on Monday could allow some respite and a chance for recovery.

He added: “There is this pulse of rain moving its way north overnight later on Monday and into Tuesday, but the rest of the week does look like it remains rather unsettled with spells of rain at times.”

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People rescued from roof of car

Read more:
Why Storm Babet brought so much rain

Watch moment forest floor lifted by storm
Why we’re likely to see more storms like Babet

On Friday, a man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing floodwater in the town of Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire.

Police Scotland previously said a falling tree hit a van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday evening, killing the 56-year-old driver.

A search is also under way in Aberdeenshire after a report of a man trapped in a vehicle in floodwater.

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