Major incident declared in Leicestershire after widespread flooding
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue teams have declared a major incident in the county after widespread flooding in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
They say they've received more than 200 calls, with crews attending incidents involving cars stuck in floodwater, evacuating residents from flooded homes and rising water. So far, almost 60 people have been rescued.
"Never enter floodwater"
Judi Beresford, Assistant Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, said:
"Flooding poses a serious risk to lives and property, and we urge everyone to take these warnings seriously. Our Control room and crews are working tirelessly to assist those in need and to keep people safe.
"We are working with our partners to reduce the impact of this major incident and ask the public to avoid flooded routes when travelling and never to enter floodwater."
Leicestershire County Council teams are visiting more than 80 flood sites today to assess reports, put up flood boards and close roads.
Overall there are 90 active flood warnings across the region with roads flooded and train services cancelled.
West Midlands Fire Service has urged drivers to stay safe and avoid flood water, echoing similar calls from the Staffordshire, Hereford & Worcester, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire emergency services.
The weather has also forced schools across the Midlands to close, with 45 closed in Staffordshire alone.
Along with the wet weather, another amber cold health warning has been issued until the 12th January.
Rail disruptions
The weather is also causing widespread disruption on the railway network.
Flooding has forced the closure of all railway lines between Peterborough and Leicester.
East Midlands Railway trains have been affected because of flooding between Derby and Long Eaton.
Their service is suspended between Derby and Nottingham, between Derby and Leicester and East Midlands Parkway.
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East Midlands trains have been replaced by buses between Nottingham and Grantham.
CrossCountry trains are being diverted between Derby and Nottingham.
West Midlands Railway service is suspended between Spring Road and Wootton Wawen.
Roads closed after flooding
M50 Eastbound closed due to flooding at J2 A417 Ledbury.
A1 Northbound is impassible between Gonerby Lane and Valley Lane, Long Bennington.
A449 Worcester Road in both directions just passable due to flooding between A438 High Street (Ledbury) and the Wellington Pub (Massington).
The A49 in Herefordshire is closed in both directions between the A4112 for Stockton and the A44 for Leominster.
The A46 Warwickshire is also closed in both directions between the A452 for Kenilworth and the M40 (junction 15) because of a crash.
A428 Coventry Road in both directions impassable from School Street Church Lawford to Livingstone Avenue.
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