Storm Babet – live: Met Office ice warnings issued as flooding could last days

Grandmother, 83, among those killed as Storm Babet causes widespread flooding

Storm Babet: Plane skids off runway at Leeds Bradford Airport amid extreme weather

New flood warnings are expected to last into next week, the Environment Agency has said, after the torrential rain brought by Storm Babet saw hundreds of properties submerged in water.

Maureen Gilbert, an 83-year-old grandmother who died trying to flee her flooded home in Derbyshire, was confirmed on Sunday to be one of as many as seven people killed during weather-related indicents since Storm Babet made landfall.

Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued further overnight warnings for ice, which will remain in force in Scotland and northern England until 9am on Monday.

In England, where more than 1,250 properties have been flooded, Nottinghamshire County Council urged residents in 500 homes to evacuate as it declared a major incident in Retford due to high water levels along the River Idle.

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

Key Points

• Flooding could last until next week, Environment Agency says
• New ice warnings issued by Met Office
• Housebound grandmother died trying to flee flooded home
• Storm Babet death toll rises to seven

[23 October 2023 01:02 · Andy Gregory]

Flooding could continue next week, Environment Agency warns

There could be more flooding in the coming days as stricken households try to make their homes safe again, the Environment Agency has warned.

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

Around 1,250 properties in England have been flooded and an estimated 30,000 properties have been protected, it said.

[22 October 2023 23:59 · Andy Gregory]

Ice warning now in force across parts of Scotland and England

A yellow ice warning is in force across parts of Scotland and the far north of England until 9am on Monday morning, the Met Office has said.

The recent wet weather and the cold night tonight may allow some icy stretches to form on untreated surfaces, the forecaster said.

[22 October 2023 23:01 · Andy Gregory]

Tribute to woman who died after being swept away in river during Storm Babet

The family of Wendy Taylor, who died after being swept into a river during Storm Babet, have paid tribute to the 57-year-old as their “ray of sunshine”.

[22 October 2023 22:00 · Matt Mathers]

ICYMI: Storm Babet travel update: Chaos hits trains and ferries with warnings to avoid parts of rail network

Travel chaos caused by Storm Babet continues with major disruption on the railways and warnings not to travel on large parts of the network.

Seven people have died after days of heavy rain sparked flooding, cutting off towns and villages and trapping people in their homes. Thousands of households have been hit by power cuts and the Environment Agency warned flooding could last for days, with hundreds of alerts still in place.

Simon Calder reports:

[22 October 2023 21:00 · Matt Mathers]

Storm Babet winds lift forest floor in incredible footage

A dog walker has captured footage of Storm Babet winds appearing to lift a forest floor in Scotland, Oliver Browning reports.

David Nugent-Malone shared the video on social media on Friday 20 October, and it has since gone viral, having been viewed more than four million times.

He was walking his dog, Jake, in Mugdock, Stirlingshire, when he witnessed the impressive moment.

“The woods were moving like the sea this morning,” Nugent-Malone wrote, captioning the video.

Watch the clip here:

[22 October 2023 19:00 · Matt Mathers]

Full report: Fresh danger to life warnings issued as post-Babet flooding continues

More “risk-to-life” flood warnings have been issued in England in the wake of Storm Babet as homes have been evacuated and train services disrupted.

Two severe flood warnings are in place around the River Idle, near Retford in Nottinghamshire, meaning risk of death or serious injury, as water levels continue to rise.

Read the full report here:

[22 October 2023 18:00 · Matt Mathers]

Storm Babet: Dozens of horses and ponies evacuated from flood-hit riding school

Nearly 50 horses and ponies have been evacuated after floodwater deluged a riding school in Nottinghamshire.

St Leonard’s Riding School And Livery Stable in Toton cancelled lessons and scrambled to move the animals after its facilities were left “underwater” amid Storm Babet.

Dramatic photos show the horses standing in flooded fields, while the stables were also submerged, causing extensive damage.

Lucas Cumiskey reports:

[22 October 2023 16:45 · Matt Mathers]

New danger to life warnings as hundreds ordered to evacuate in Nottinghamshire

More “risk-to-life” flood warnings have been issued in England in the wake of Storm Babet as homes have been evacuated and train services disrupted.

Two severe flood warnings are in place around the River Idle, near Retford in Nottinghamshire, meaning risk of death or serious injury, as water levels continue to rise.

Meanwhile, about 500 homes in a Nottinghamshire town have been urged to evacuate due to flooding.

Nottinghamshire County Council declared a major incident as it told people in Retford they were at risk over high water levels along the River Idle.

The river reached record levels on Sunday, with water still rising.

Pub and houses semi-submerged as deep floodwater rushes down road in Nottinghamshire village (PA)

[22 October 2023 15:56 · Matt Mathers]

Housebound grandmother died trying to flee flooded home

A housebound grandmother died as she tried to flee rising water levels in her flooded house during Storm Babet, it emerged today.

Maureen Gilbert, 83, was found dead by her son and grandson on Saturday after they became concerned when her street in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, flooded.

The pensioner had lived in the street all her life and her home was previously ravaged by floods in 2007, said her heartbroken family.

Maureen with her husband (Courtesy Gilbert family / SWNS)

Grandmother’s home was destroyed by flood (Lee McLean / SWNS)

[22 October 2023 15:15 · Matt Mathers]

ICYMI: Couple ‘frustrated’ after flight home delayed and diverted

A couple’s flight home from Cyprus was delayed and diverted in an “intensely frustrating” ordeal after a plane skidded off a runway at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Phil Casey, golf correspondent at PA Media, and his partner Ann Meredith, 51, were due to fly from Larnaca International Airport to Leeds at 11.20pm local time on Friday.

Lucas Cumiskey reports: