Council warning as River Trent hits record high level

Photographs shows the destruction of a high street flooded by the River Ouse after it burst its banks, in central York.

It came following Storm Henk which brought strong winds and heavy rain across much of the country.

Hundreds of flood warnings were in place in the UK on Saturday, after strong winds and rain lashed large parts of the country, hitting travel and cutting power.

The Environment Agency has released the latest peak maps for swollen rivers in the Midlands.

The Environment Agency said the River Severn was expected to have reached its peak at Gloucester Docks, and further upstream in Worcester, on Friday evening.

They added flood warnings and alerts are still in place across the Midlands.

Robert Jenrick has said floods in his constituency are more “severe” than we have ever known.

Speaking to Sky News by a flooded Collingham, the former cabinet minister said: “If you see the area from above it really is biblical in terms of the level of flooding and damage that has happened.”

“We hope that it has peaked now in our area but it remains very high and there are so many properties that are affected and no immediate signs of it abating,” he added.

Jenrick said the government had put in place flood recovery grants for the floods occurring last year.

“My constituency covers dozens of villages along the River Trent and many of them do experience flooding on a regular basis.

“But it is happening more often and more severely than we have known.”

While the Met Office predicts the wet weather has passed, water levels remain high and colder temperatures are predicted for the next few days with the UK Health Security Agency UKHSA) issuing a yellow cold weather alert.

The Swan pub is more likely to get a visit from its aquatic bird namesake than their regulars after the Thames burst her banks overnight.

Owners of the pub in Pangbourne announced they would be closed on Facebook.

Almost 250 flood warnings remain in place across England and Wales as conditions continue to cause travel problems across large parts of the country.

A National Trust site Charlecote Park in Warwickshire is still under deep standing water, leaving the site closed.

A statement on their Facebook page read: “The water levels at Charlecote, while slowly receding, remain very high. It will take several days for our team to tackle the aftermath of this unusually extensive flooding.”

Director of Communications Celia Richards posted on X that we need more beavers and trees and carbon reduction to prevent future climate crises.

Leicestershire Police have warned drivers after CCTV captured them stopping their cars, getting out, moving the signs out of the way and driving on through floodwater.

A police spokesman said: “This is the height of stupidity – these signs are put there for a purpose.”

Schoolchildren were pulled from a sinking school bus in Essex on Friday morning.

“Local legend” Sam Knipes helped to pull the stranded minibus to safety which had seven pupils from The Ongar Academy on board.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it also rescued “dozens of people and a dog” from flooded roads on the same day.

Ongar and Rural county councillor Jaymey McIvor said: “Local legend Sam Knipes once again has done our community proud. Thank you Sam for always being a consistent pillar of strength in a local moment of crisis.”

A​n Essex County Council ​spokesperson told Everything Epping Forest: “We can confirm a bus carrying pupils for ​The Ongar Academy bec​ame stuck in flood water at Hallsford Bridge, Ongar, this morning (January​ 5).“The seven students on board were safely transported to the school in another vehicle, arriving before 9.40am.”

Temperatures are likely to be below average especially overnight with much more overnight frost than of late. Ice is likely to be an issue given the very wet ground in most areas.

The UKHSA warned of increased mortality rates in over 65s and vulnerable with challenges expected for some to maintain 18C inside their homes.