Retford, a town in Nottinghamshire, England, has been hit by flooding caused by Storm Babet, with around 500 homes experiencing severe flooding. Nottinghamshire County Council announced a major incident and advised residents to evacuate as the River Idle rose to record levels. The river’s water level is still rising, and the flooding is expected to last until Tuesday. Communities across the UK have experienced major damage due to rising water levels. Although the rain is expected to ease and brighter conditions are anticipated, the Environment Agency has warned that major river flooding could continue for several days.
Derbyshire Constabulary reported that a woman in her eighties died in Chesterfield due to flooding caused by the storm. Although the death was initially believed to be storm-related, further investigations are underway into the cause of death. In other areas of Scotland, residents were issued rare red weather warnings, leading to fears that some families may not make it home for Christmas due to extensive damage caused by the flooding. The north-east of England was also affected by the storm, leading to widespread travel disruption, and train companies warned of significant disruption.
The Environment Agency warned that the flooding could continue for days, as the larger rivers, including the Severn, Ouse, and Trent, could continue to rise. In Marykirk, Aberdeenshire, a driver was reported missing from his vehicle, leading to a search by Police Scotland. The situation in Retford was described as unprecedented by Nottinghamshire County Council, which opened a rest centre at the Retford Leisure Centre. Council leader Ben Bradley, who is also the MP for Mansfield, provided support to local families in conjunction with police and fire services and other agencies. With the severe warning indicating a threat to life, it’s essential that people cooperate with the authorities, he said
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