Weather experts forecast up to 5 inches of rain in the north of England - an amount approaching the average rainfall for the whole of December.
Residents in Lancashire have been urged to "take action" and to protect property.
They have been urged not to travel, after seven red flood warnings were issued by the Environment Agency and the Met Office.
The red category - also described as "severe" - is reserved for only the most serious conditions.
Referring to Lancashire, the Met Office said: "Very severe weather conditions are expected.
"Take action to remain safe and protect property. Widespread flooding will lead to severe disruption to travel and danger to life."
Two of the warnings are for the River Ribble, three for the River Calder and two for the River Wyre.
A further 101 "flood warnings" - signifying "flooding is expected" - are in place for regions across northern England and Wales.
Another 115 less severe "flood alerts" have also been issued.
In Scotland, there are 11 flood warnings and five lesser flood alerts. No "severe" warnings have been issued.
Some 85% of the country's temporary flood barriers have been sent to Cumbria, where many regions have been flooded three times within the past month.
Police are also warning motorists not to drive unless it is "absolutely necessary".
Many towns and villages in Cumbria are still cleaning up after Storm Desmond caused damage to hundreds of homes and businesses earlier in December.
The North West has already suffered the wettest December since records began in 1910. The EA has deployed 700 staff in the region.
Around 40 roads and bridges remain damaged and closed, hundreds of homes have been left uninhabitable and police have warned people to avoid driving if possible.
Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "There are problems across Lancashire. You have to be very careful when you are travelling.
"The reason the Met Office will have issued these warnings so early in the morning is because they know lots of people plan to be on the road."
Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said the latest weather is "unusual" given the relatively mild weather enjoyed across England during December.
No comments:
Post a Comment