‘Danger to life’ flood warnings issued as Storm Franklin brings more fierce wind

"Danger to life" flood warnings have been issued for Tuesday as rivers have burst their banks.

An evacuation advisory was issued by the Environment Agency for residents in the village of Ironbridge, Shropshire yesterday (February 21) as levels on the River Severn rose dramatically in just a matter of hours.

All trains out of Rotherham were cancelled after the River Don began to flow into the railway tracks, while homes in York and Tadcaster were also flooded.

It comes as Storm Franklin became the third storm in a week to cause widespread damage to property and major transport disruption after Storm Dudley and the deadly Storm Eunice.

More than 280 flood warnings and alerts remain in place across the country this morning as water heavy and sustained rainfall over the weekend continues to seep into rivers and streams, causing a delayed rise in river levels.

Two of those warnings are "severe", warning of "danger to life" on the River Severn at both Wharfage, Ironbridge and Wribbenhall, Bewdley.

The Met Office forecast for Tuesday reads: "A band of rain, heavy at first, accompanied by some strong winds in the north will move southeast and ease. Sunny spells and scattered showers following, some wintry over northern hills."

Commenting on the situation in Shropshire, Katharine Smith from the Environment Agency, said: "Heavy rain, affecting already wet areas, is likely to cause significant river flooding along the River Severn until Wednesday

"We have teams out on the ground taking preventative action, closing flood gates, deploying temporary barriers and moving pumps and other response equipment to areas of highest risk."

Over the weekend workmen were forced to watch on helplessly as their digger was submerged into a river as Storm Franklin hit their site.

Dramatic pictures show heavy Volvo machinery flooded as the River Aire burst its banks at Kirkstall, Yorkshire on Sunday (February 20).

The digger's team of operators were powerless to do anything but watch on as the harsh conditions saw them lose the important piece of kit.

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