Storm Babet: Environment Agency issues more flood warnings for the Midlands

Flooding in Retford, Nottinghamshire. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued yet more flood warnings for the Midlands as the aftershocks of Storm Babet continue to affect the region.

Areas near the River Severn and River Trent have been issued with a particularly high number of flood warnings.

The EA says that whilst warnings around the River Idle have now been downgraded, the risk remains high in this area.

Towns like Retford - which saw 500 people evacuated over the weekend - are being urged to prepare for more flooding due to rain being expected to fall early this week.

The flood warnings following the River Severn, on the left, and the River Trent, on the right. Credit: Environment Agency

Flooding is set to continue in Nottinghamshire until Friday - and along the River Severn until Wednesday.

The Environment Agency has also noted that the impact of flooding on rivers in the East Midlands is particularly persistent.

In the East Midlands, areas near Nottingham, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, and Loughborough are at risk of flooding.

In the West Midlands, Telford, Kidderminster, Worcester, and Shrewsbury could also face the same problems.

Flooding along the River Severn in Shropshire Credit: Nick Potts/PA

Storm Babet has had a huge effect on people living in the Midlands.

As many as 500 people were evacuated from Retford in Nottinghamshire, with "danger to life" warnings issued after the River Idle flooded.

Derbyshire has been heavily affected - ITV News spoke to a family with newborn triplets whose home in Sandiacre was flooded.

Erewash Borough Council leader, Councillor James Dawson, stated: "The last few days have been a very difficult time for those residents and businesses in Erewash who have been affected by flooding and my thoughts are with all those whose lives have been impacted as a result.

He added: "I would like to thank the communities across Erewash who pulled together to help each other during what was a very stressful time for many.

"I’d also like to personally thank everyone who has been involved.

"My thanks go to the staff of Erewash Borough Council , Derbyshire County Council , Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and Derbyshire Constabulary who have worked tirelessly in very challenging conditions to deliver help to those who have needed it and those who continue to need help."

The storm has also seen a number of tragedies in the Midlands.

A man in his 60s died in Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire after being caught in fast-flowing flood water.

In Chesterfield in Derbyshire, 83-year-old Maureen Gilbert was found dead after her home flooded. Her son says he discovered his mother's body "floating in the water."

To check for flood warnings in your area, the Environment Agency has a dedicated website here.

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