'Danger to life' flood warning near Northampton holiday park

The Environment Agency are warning of "deep and fast flowing water" along the River Nene

Author: Cam Hall & Katy WhitePublished 25th Nov 2024

There are warnings of a "danger to life" along parts of the River Nene due to a major flooding risk caused by Storm Bert.

A severe flood warning - the highest possible - is in force, with people staying at the Billing Aquadrome holiday park and at nearby industrial estates being urged to evacuate.

The Environment Agency say "deep and fast flowing water" could lead to a "rapid onset of flooding".

Separate warnings are in force along the River Nene in Wellingborough, alongside the River Tove at Towcester, and the River Ise in Geddington.

Police have closed several roads in Northampton due to flooding, including St Andrew's Road, St James' Park Road, and Dallington.

The Northamptonshire force are urging people to only travel if necessary, and leave larger gaps and standing water if they have to.

Rail services through the town are facing "severe disruption", with London Northwestern Railway saying flooding has blocked the rail line and a depot.

Northampton station is also inaccessible due to flood water.

The operator expects disruption until the end of Monday.

East Midlands Railway services between Kettering and Leicester are operating again following disruption on Sunday.

Across the UK, hundreds of homes have been left left underwater, roads were turned into rivers and winds of up to 82mph recorded.

The last of the Met Office's rain warnings ended at 11.59pm on Sunday but strong winds persist and rain from high ground will reach rivers, which could disrupt clean-up efforts.

More than 200 flood alerts remain in place for England and Wales and travel issues are set to continue into the new week.

Some 350,000 homes in England lost power during the storm, though most have since been reconnected.

Simon Brown, services director at the Met Office, said: "Our thoughts are with those who are currently affected with the impacts caused by Storm Bert in South Wales, as well as the rest of the country.

"As always with a named storm, a full assessment of the forecast and warning strategy will take place with our partners.

"But this assessment is carried out post-event, therefore I would expect this to take place over the coming days.

"Storm Bert was well forecast, 48 hours in advance, with a number of warnings in place ahead of the system reaching the UK.

"We work closely with partners to assess the potential risks of extreme weather and the warnings covering Wales highlighted the potential for homes and businesses to flood with fast-flowing or deep floodwater possible, causing a danger to life."