Floods bring 'danger to life' as heavy rain batters UK

  • Video report by ITV News Correspondent Rupert Evelyn

Heavy rain has brought severe flooding to towns and villages in the United Kingdom, as officials have warned the water poses a "danger to life".

Both Shrewsbury and Ironbridge on the River Severn have been put on high alert as waters rise, with two severe warnings in place.

The river is set to rise by up to seven metres in the coming 24 hours, as locals have been told "immediate action" is needed to safeguard homes and businesses.

Around the rest of the UK, 108 flood warnings remain in place alongside more than 200 flood alerts to advise flooding may take place.

Some 43 flood warnings had been withdrawn by Monday evening.

One Shrewsbury business owner told ITV News how he had struggled to obtain new insurance for his guest house after his previously policy ended at the start of this month.

Mark Davies said he had spoken to insurance providers across the nation before the floods hit, but not a single one was willing to insurance his business.

"We're 50 per cent down. We've lost two bedrooms completely full of furniture; all the carpets, all the housekeeping went. Its been a pretty devastating week really," he said.

"Our insurance ran out on February 5, so two weeks ago. Our insurance broker couldn't find anyone in the country who was prepared to put in place any flood protection at all for us.

"We're not insured for this," he added.

Snow expected to fall across areas of Scotland throughout Monday as rain forecast for parts of England

Motorists drove through wintery conditions in North Yorkshire as snow fell overnight. Credit: PA

It comes as snowfall brought travel misery to commuters in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England on Monday morning.

A yellow weather warning were issued for snow and ice across Scotland and on Monday. Parts of northern England were also given an advisory for the same conditions.

The Met Office estimated "two to five centimetres of snow is likely above 100 to 200 metres whilst above 300 metres 10 to 20cm snow may build up."

A yellow warnings for ice has been issued for Northern Ireland.

Snow was seen at the Angel of the North, near Gateshead, on Monday morning. Credit: PA
Snow fell overnight on Sunday leaving travel misery for many across the UK early Monday. Credit: PA

While the extreme weather should settle down during midweek, along with a notable dip in temperatures, the Met Office warned further heavy rain is expected on Friday.

The bleak outlook follows more than a fortnight of downpours and flooding that started with Storm Ciara, continued with Storm Dennis and kept going with the weekend’s storms.

The weather front which passed over the United Kingdom through the weekend has not been named by the Met Office.