Britain Underwater: The Story Of The Floods In England – As Told In Photos

For the past week, parts of the north and the Midlands have been ravaged by floods. Here's how it looks on the ground.
LOADINGERROR LOADING

Flooding and torrential rain across the north and the Midlands have driven thousands of people out of their homes and businesses in the past week – with 108 warnings still in place.

It’s a disaster that has already claimed one life, sparked meetings of Cobra – the government’s emergency committee – and seen politicians divert from the campaign trail to visit those affected by the floods.

Last week, families attending a Christmas event at Meadowhall in Sheffield found themselves forced to take shelter in the shopping centre overnight after torrential rain left the roads impassible.

A car submerged on a route into Fishlake, north of Doncaster, on Monday.
A car submerged on a route into Fishlake, north of Doncaster, on Monday.

Craig Brough / Reuters

A woman was killed last Friday after being swept away by floodwater in Derbyshire. The body of Annie Hall – the former High Sheriff of the county – was discovered in the River Derwent a few hours later.

In South Yorkshire, where the River Don burst its banks, the Army has been called in. Soldiers have been tasked with laying sandbags in front of homes and shoring up bridges as authorities continue to tackle the floodwater.

But while the clean-up operation is well underway, the emergency is not necessarily over.

Some 108 flood warnings remain in place across England and Wales. That means flooding is expected in these areas, with the Environment Agency recommending “immediate action”.

John Curtin, executive director of flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency, said Evesham in Worcestershire was the flooding “live hot spot” on Friday.

“The rain last night went through some of the smaller villages in Warwickshire and the rain is moving down towards Evesham as we speak,” he said.

River Avon at Evesham is currently at four metres, but is starting to recede after between 25 and 30 properties were flooded.

Whether more flooding is seen or not, communities will be feeling the effects of the floods for years to come. Almost 900 properties have been flooded, according to official figures.

As people try to recover from the disaster, here is the story of Britain underwater over the past week – as told in photos.

DONCASTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 12: Flood water covers the roads and part of local houses in the Fishlake area on November 12, 2019 in Doncaster, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
DONCASTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 12: Flood water covers the roads and part of local houses in the Fishlake area on November 12, 2019 in Doncaster, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
A woman walks through floodwater covering a road near residential properties in Fishlake near Doncaster on Wednesday.
A woman walks through floodwater covering a road near residential properties in Fishlake near Doncaster on Wednesday.
PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images
The village of Fishlake continues to suffer from flooding as residents start to salvage belongings from their homes and businesses on Thursday.
The village of Fishlake continues to suffer from flooding as residents start to salvage belongings from their homes and businesses on Thursday.
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
A young child is rescued from their home by a crew from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service after severe flooding on Thursday in Doncaster.
A young child is rescued from their home by a crew from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service after severe flooding on Thursday in Doncaster.
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
Annie Hall, the former High Sheriff of Derbyshire, who was killed after being swept away by flood water.
Annie Hall, the former High Sheriff of Derbyshire, who was killed after being swept away by flood water.
Derbyshire Constabulary
Jeremy Corbyn speaks with flood victims and volunteers in Doncaster on Tuesday in Bentley.
Jeremy Corbyn speaks with flood victims and volunteers in Doncaster on Tuesday in Bentley.
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
Soldiers carry sandbags along an embankment at Stainforth, near Doncaster, after a visit by the Prime Minister.
Soldiers carry sandbags along an embankment at Stainforth, near Doncaster, after a visit by the Prime Minister.
Danny Lawson - PA Images via Getty Images
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks past members of the Light Dragoons during a visit to Stainforth, near Doncaster, on Wednesday.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks past members of the Light Dragoons during a visit to Stainforth, near Doncaster, on Wednesday.
DANNY LAWSON via Getty Images
Volunteers work to help distribute donated provisions and aid for flood affected residents, inside Fishlake St. Cuthbert church on Wednesday.
Volunteers work to help distribute donated provisions and aid for flood affected residents, inside Fishlake St. Cuthbert church on Wednesday.
PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images
Jeremy Corbyn speaks with flood victims and volunteers in Bentley on Tuesday.
Jeremy Corbyn speaks with flood victims and volunteers in Bentley on Tuesday.
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
Flood water covers the roads and part of local houses in the Fishlake area on Tuesday.
Flood water covers the roads and part of local houses in the Fishlake area on Tuesday.
Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
Rescuers pull a boat through floodwater in Fishlake, Doncaster.
Rescuers pull a boat through floodwater in Fishlake, Doncaster.
Danny Lawson - PA Images via Getty Images
A tractor drives through floodwater in Fishlake, Doncaster.
A tractor drives through floodwater in Fishlake, Doncaster.
Danny Lawson - PA Images via Getty Images
A cyclist navigates a flooded street in the village of Fishlake on Monday.
A cyclist navigates a flooded street in the village of Fishlake on Monday.
OLI SCARFF via Getty Images
A car sits in flood water in the town of Fishlake on Monday.
A car sits in flood water in the town of Fishlake on Monday.
Anthony Devlin via Getty Images
Fire and Rescue service members last week rescue residents trapped by floodwater in Doncaster, Yorkshire, as parts of England endured a month's worth of rain in 24 hours, with scores of people rescued or forced to evacuate their homes, others stranded overnight in a shopping centre, and travel plans thrown into chaos.
Fire and Rescue service members last week rescue residents trapped by floodwater in Doncaster, Yorkshire, as parts of England endured a month's worth of rain in 24 hours, with scores of people rescued or forced to evacuate their homes, others stranded overnight in a shopping centre, and travel plans thrown into chaos.
Danny Lawson - PA Images via Getty Images
Close

What's Hot