Liverpool and Aberdeen airports were forced to suspend flights on Tuesday morning as heavy rain, flooding and snow continue to disrupt travel and cause school closures.
It came as the Environment Agency issued a critical flood warning – indicating a “danger to life” as a mass evacuation was ordered for the River Soar at caravan parks near Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire.
It said: “River levels are rising at the Pillings Lock river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt.”
One man has died in the winter storm impacting much of the country, with North Yorkshire police saying a body pulled from floodwater near the River Aire has been formally identified. The man’s next of kin are still being informed.
Met Office yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for northern and western Scotland – including the northern and western isles – remain in place until 12pm on Wednesday.
Flooding means all rail lines are closed between Peterborough and Leicester, affecting CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway services.
At 11.10am on Tuesday, the Environment Agency has one danger-to-life flood warning, 144 flood warnings and 228 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, active across England.
Drone shots as Caravan park evacuated
An evacuation order was issued as the River Soar burst her banks and flooded a Caravan park in Barrow Upon Soar, England.
Barney Davis7 January 2025 10:55
Watch: Daring mountain rescues in Scotland
A mountaineer who suffered a deep cut to their leg was rescued in the middle of a horrific snowstorm.
The Cairngorm MRT said on X: “Another rescue for a couple who had intended to camp near the Saddle but in deteriorating condition had raised an SOS text from their phone.
“After locating the couple and some rewarming they were walked out to safety through some to arduous underfoot conditions. All safe were 1.30am.”
Barney Davis7 January 2025 10:45
Desperate rescues as floodwaters rise across Kent, Sussex and Leicestershire
Barney Davis7 January 2025 10:41
Cold snap expected in Ireland
Ireland has upgraded its weather warning amid an “extremely cold” snap across the island.
Temperatures are expected to plummet to as low as minus 8C while a Status Orange low temperature and ice warning was announced for almost all of the Republic of Ireland.
Irish national weather agency Met Eireann said the advisory applies between 8pm on Tuesday and 10am on Wednesday, applying nationwide except for Donegal, Dublin, Louth and Wexford.
This will be followed by a further warning for every county except for Donegal between 6pm Wednesday and 11am Thursday.
It means that there will be extremely cold nights with widespread frost, ice and lying snow.
Barney Davis7 January 2025 10:06
Yellow snow and ice warning issued over Northern Ireland
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning until midday on Wednesday covering Northern Ireland with snow and icy patches leading to some disruption to travel.
The forecaster warned there will be slippy patches with roads and railways likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services.
Barney Davis7 January 2025 09:46
Ambulance service declares critical incident for first time ever
A critical incident has been declared by East Midlands Ambulance (EMAS ) for the first time ever, after a combination of significant patient demand, pressure within local hospitals, and flooding across the East Midlands.
Declaring a critical incident means:
- Rapid release of ambulances from hospital departments. We appreciate this will be challenging for hospital colleagues however, we need to ensure we have emergency ambulances available to respond to people waiting in the community where life is at threat.
- From the morning, local NHS Clinical Hubs to take Category 3 calls (see additional notes) from EMAS and provide support and/or a local alternative NHS pathway for these patient. This allows EMAS to focus on responding to Category 1 (life-threatening) and Category 2 (serious) calls.
- All Category 3 calls (see additional information below) from NHS 111 receive a clinical validation from DHU Healthcare (the provider of 111 services) before it is sent for an ambulance.
Barney Davis7 January 2025 09:28
In pictures: Frosty Liverpool as John Lennon airport suspends flights
Barney Davis7 January 2025 09:23
Aberdeen airport pauses flights as crew work to de-ice runway
Hundreds of passengers have had their flights cancelled or delayed due to ongoing issues at Aberdeen Airport.
A spokesman posted on X: “Our teams have been working throughout the night to clear snow and de-ice the airfield.
“Due to the ongoing freezing conditions it’s been necessary to pause operations. Flights will resume when it is safe to do so.”
Barney Davis7 January 2025 09:13