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Dozens of homes evacuated after river bursts its banks and threatens to inundate city centre – and ice on the lines is already causing chaos for rail passengers as Britain braces for the big freeze
- 56 homes evacuated in Port Elphinstone, Inverurie, as River Don burst its banks, and Ellon, near the River Ythan
- Environment Agency issued 21 flood warnings, including huge areas in the north east and south west of England
- Comes as temperatures are expected to plunge this week as arctic wind blows in, bringing up to two feet of snow
- Subzero temperatures delayed trains this morning and Met Office warns freeze could continue until March
Flooding devastated dozens of homes in eastern Scotland last night as Britain braces itself for temperatures to plunge until as late as March.
Rescue efforts are still underway in Aberdeenshire after dozens of homes were evacuated when the River Don burst its banks last night.
Thousands more people are under threat as the city of Aberdeen braces itself for the swollen Don to flood the streets amid more heavy rainfall.
But all over Britain, people are being warned to prepare themselves for temperatures to plunge overnight and next week as winter finally bites.
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Communities in Scotland were today counting the cost after rivers burst their banks, plunging villages like Kintore (pictured) underwater
Members of the emergency services wade along Canal Road in Port Elphinstone, near Aberdeen, after the River Don burst its banks. Communities living near the Don and the Ythan, which also burst its banks, are now counting the cost of the diaster
These are the devastating results of the flooding in Port Elphistone, which rushed into Cristina Ricci and Mario Cazzato's house, ruining their bottom floor and destroying possessions
Mario Cazzato looks at his flooded home as he stands in water higher than his knee in the street, just outside the wrecked house he lives in with his wife
Heavy and persistent rain yesterday caused the River Don to reach its highest recorded level and properties to be evacuated
This may look like a river but it is actually a playing field that has been flooded with water. Nearby homes were evacuated
An arctic wind has blown into the UK, blowing a blizzard on Cumbria (pictured), and it is expected to send temperatures plunging over the coming weeks and months as the unseasonably warm weather finally comes to an end
Cumbria has been battered by a blizzard blowing in from Scandinavia which is set to send temperatures plunging across Britain
Flooded houses at Port Elphinstone, near Aberdeen, have also seen a light dusting of snow and are expecting more over the coming days
The Met Office is advising people to wrap up warm, particularly in northern Scotland, where temperatures could drop to -4C as an arctic wind bring a cold spell from Scandinavia (top right)
Flooding is now an issue all over the UK (left), with the Environment Agency issuing warnings in huge swathes of Britain, which is currently seeing record levels of rainfall. The North East and South West have a number of red warnings in place, the most serious
Rail passengers experiences delays this morning as sub-zero temperatures as far south as Sussex slowed services with ice on the track.
And the Met Office has warned to expect ice, hale, snow and sleet in the coming months, as unseasonably warm weather finally comes to an end.
Over the next few days, temperatures will plunge as low as -10C in Britain, but sub-zero temperatures overnight could become common.
The arctic blast from Scandinavia is already blowing a blizzard on Cumbria, which was devastated by repeated flooding over Christmas and New Year.
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for Strathclyde and the Dumfray, Galloway, Lothian and Borders region in Scotland, and the north east and north west of England.
The regions can expect up two 10cm of snow settle today alone, with more expected to fall tomorrow.
But people across Britain can expect a more lasting taste of winter from next week, with frost, now, ice, hale and sleet, and temperatures regularly dropping below zero at night.
A covering of snow in the South Tyne Valley, Cumbria this morning heralding a change in the weather following the warmest and wettest December on record
Temperatures are set to plummet with the mild Atlantic air being replaced by bitterly cold Arctic air, which is set to sweep across the country from today
Traffic crossing the snowy Pennines in Brough, Cumbria, where cold weather has hit today - and it looks set to last, warns the Met Office
The snow has dusted higher ground and the Met Office issued warnings for the north east and north west of England, where there could be 5-10cm today, and more tomorrow
The Met Office's chief meteorologist Paul Davies said that throughout January, even daytime temperatures will be around 8-10C in the south and 3-5C in the south, in weather much more typical of the season. He says we should expect:
- A marked change to colder across all parts of the UK next week as a north or northwesterly airflow will push arctic air across the UK bringing weather fairly typical for January
- For some, mainly England and Wales, this will be first wintry spell of the current season with the possibility of frost, ice, sleet, snow and hail
- An increased risk of storms and very wet weather in the early part of the winter, followed by an increased risk of cold weather impacts in the second half of the winter
- More cold weather in February and March when there are signs of a shift towards a more blocked weather pattern. However, it should be noted that some spells of cold weather don't produce much snow.
The Environment Agency currently has 19 flood warnings in place across England and 111 alerts - as of 12.30pm - but warns that ongoing rain on already saturated ground poses a huge risk along parts of the River Severn in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
Environment Agency teams are currently taking action with local authorities, checking and maintaining flood defences, clearing trash screens and blockages in rivers, and monitoring water levels.
As part of ongoing recovery efforts, Environment Agency pumps continue to be used in parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire, already devastated by floods, and removable flood barriers remain in place on the River Severn at Bewdley and Shrewsbury.
Jonathan Day, Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'Our focus is on offering ongoing support to those communities that are still dealing with the terrible impacts of flooding as we continue with our recovery and repair work.
Men search homes in the Port Elphinstone area of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, after homes were evacuated last night
The fire service led the evacuations from 38 properties - many of them elderly - in Port Elphinstone, near Inverurie, as the swollen Don sent floodwaters racing down the streets. Pictured is Port Elphinstone, Aberdeenshire
A man walks through the flooded streets in Port Elphinstone area of Inverurie, where the rain continues to fall, sending yet more water to swell the River Don which burst its banks in places yesterday
Scottish Envornmental Protection Agency (SEPA) have issued two severe flood warnings for both Inverurie and Kintore, both in Aberdeenshire, and 50 homes were evacuated in the region last night
'With more rain expected this weekend after a December that was the wettest month on record we are asking people to remain vigilant as, with the ground saturated and river levels still high, even normal amounts of rain can cause a flood risk.
'We are supporting local authorities and advise all local residents to stay away from swollen rivers and flood water. We urge people not to drive through flood water: just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
In Aberdeenshire, the fire service evacuated 38 properties - many of them elderly - in Port Elphinstone, near Inverurie, after the Don burst its banks.
Police declared a major incident and warned that the Don now threatens to flood the streets of Aberdeen, putting thousands more people at risk.
People were put up in rest centres while a number of local hotels also opened their doors to flooding victims free of charge.
Teams from the Scottish Fire Service and the coastguard mounted an operation to rescue some residents, and a further 18 homes were evacuated from the Bruce Crescent and Meadows areas of Ellon as the River Ythan rose through the night.
This street in Port Elphinstone is now totally flooded, transformed into more of a canal than a road, and it is the latest of a number of regions in Scotland to suffer from devastating floods
Britain is to see yet more rainfall this weekend, as river levels continue to swell and put more towns and cities at risk from flooding
LOCAL CAMPER FEARED DEAD IS FOUND SAFE AND WELL BY POLICE
Terence Kilbride has been found
Terence Kilbride has been found safe and well after concerns he had been swept away and killed in the Aberdeenshire floods
Police divers yesterday searched for Terence Kilbride and personal items belonging to him were found in the Bridge of Dee area of Aberdeen at the weekend.
The 48-year-old, who is originally from Warrington, Cheshire, was reported missing on Monday during a camping trip in the region.
The region has experienced bad weather and serious flooding since last week and police said they were 'concerned'.
But he has no been found in Aberdeen and is safe and well, despite previous fears for his safety.
A spokesman said: 'The public are thanked for their assistance in tracing him. We received an overwhelming response from the public, which was greatly appreciated.
Gauges in Haughton, just outside Inverurie, measured the Don at 5.6m (18.37ft) - the highest level for 45 years - while it measured 5.5m (18ft) at Parkhill in Aberdeen.
In Ellon, the Ythan stood at 4.4m (14.4ft) at its peak, 1.2m (3.93ft) above the previous record level in 1983, according to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) figures.
Flooding in the north-east also brought major travel disruption, with busy roads closed and trains south from Aberdeen cancelled.
Part of the runway at Aberdeen Airport was damaged by the 'unprecedented rainfall' and some passengers spent the night in the terminal as flights were cancelled. The affected area has now been repaired and flights have resumed.
Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson said: 'Over the past 24 to 48 hours, and indeed the past week, we have responded to a number of flooding incidents and co-ordinated the multi-agency response to the adverse weather.
'A major incident was declared due to the severity of the warnings in place and the potential for serious impact on communities.
'Our focus over the past 36 hours has been the Donside area, Keith to Huntly, Turriff, Inverurie, Kintore, Ellon and into Aberdeen including Riverside Drive and the Grandholm area. Additionally, we continue to support the recovery effort in Deeside, specifically in the Ballater and Braemar area, following the impact of Storm Frank.'
Flights at Aberdeen Airport have been restricted to small aircraft after 'unprecedented rainfall' damaged a section of the runway.
Management said around 20 people slept in the airport terminal on Thursday night as cancellations mounted and advised passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airport.
Trains between Aberdeen and Dundee have also been cancelled due to the flooding.
There has been little respite for the north east since New Year when Storm Frank brought flooding to villages around the River Dee.
A Met Office amber warning for heavy rain in the area remains until this morning.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is also in place for much of Scotland, Northern Ireland, north west and north east England.
Richard Brown, head of hydrology for the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa), said water levels around the River Don were 'pretty exceptional'.
He told BBC Scotland: 'We have had a gauging station up at Alford for the last 42 years and it has exceeded anything we have ever recorded.'
NHS Grampian have raised concerns over private water supplies in Aberdeenshire and urged residents to drink bottled water.
A spokesman said: 'If a private well or spring has been covered by floodwater, proceed with caution and contact Aberdeenshire Council for advice.
'While waiting for an answer or if you are in doubt, assume the water is unsafe to drink and source bottled water.'
There was some relief during the flooding as missing camper Terence Kilbride, believed to have been swept away by flood waters from the Dee, was found by police safe and well.
Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: 'The impact of this latest round of flooding is causing transport difficulties and putting properties at risk of flooding.
People have put down sandbags to try and protect their homes but they did little good for many when the River Don burst its banks
THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD CHURCH USED IN DRACULA COULD SPILL COFFINS INTO THE STREETS IN LANDSLIDE
Heavy rainfall is putting land by St Mary's Church (pictured) in Whitby, North Yorkshire, at risk of a landslide that could send coffins spilling into the streets below
A church that featured in Bram Stoker's gothic novel Dracula may be the site of a new landslide after heavy rainfall - that could send coffins sliding onto houses below.
The new area of landslip is directly beneath St Mary's church in Whitby, North Yorkshire, an area that saw the cliff slipping into the streets and houses below just two years ago.
Now, following severe weather, fears are growing as water continues to gush out from beneath the historic church, which is more than one thousand years old.
Thirteen sets of 60-metre drainpipes, fitted in December 2013 after the last serious floods and some of which are already broken, are not collecting and directing water away from the cliff.
Instead, water is gushing out from the sides of the cliff-face taking more mud and grass with it and coming out in an old drain next to the smokehouse.
While the rest of the town started its clean-up operation after a week's worth of heavy rainfall which culminated on Monday, specialist engineers are being dispatched to the worst of the problem, behind the Fortune's Kippers near the church.
Barry Brown from Fortune's said he collected four litres of water in four seconds from it on Tuesday morning and only a wire fence is stopping mud and silt from washing into the business and rows of cottages beneath the church.
He said: 'We noticed water trickling out on Monday morning so we knew there was a build-up somewhere. But as soon as we got here on Tuesday morning we knew there was a problem.
'I filled a four-litre bucket in four seconds, and that is from the bottom of the cliff not the top so it makes you wonder where is it all going?
'The new pipes are not where the water is and they are not doing what they should. It has not just happened overnight, that water has been running for ages and ages.'
The Archdeacon of York, Ven Sarah Bullock, has been to the site to see the damage for herself and has requested that engineers also assess the stability of the east cliff.
A spokeswoman for the Diocese of York said Alan Wood Engineers who carried out the emergency repairs would decide if any more work needed to be done.
Mr Brown added: 'It is obvious the water is coming off the plain and was building up all day. My granddad used to tell us when we were kids 'never block the drain because you will bring the cliff down'. There is something adrift.
'I am no expert but it is coming from the graveyard and if there was some sort of drainage behind that and the car park it would stop it coming down here. Water is not being caught.'
Whitby (pictured) saw the cliff slipping into the streets and houses below just two years ago, and residents fear the same will happen agains. Pictured (top) is St Mary's Church, which featured in Bram Stoker's graphic novel Dracula
These are the scenes of a normal residential street which was last night transformed into a river by the shocking floods which could be set to hit the city of Aberdeen soon as the River Don continues to swell due to relentless rainfall
'The Scottish Government's resilience committee is monitoring the situation very closely and we have discussed the unfolding events and work to mitigate the impacts and ensure the safety of people in local communities.'
The serious flooding brought out the 'great community spirit' in Inverurie as people forced from their homes were put up in a local hotel.
Around 40 people stayed in the Strathburn Hotel in the Aberdeenshire village free of charge as the owners David and Elizabeth Barrack opened their doors to those in need.
All 27 rooms - which can cost up to £125 a night - were full with more people sleeping in lounge chairs and the floor of the hotel.
The property sits a distance away from the River Don and was not affected by the flooding.
Mr Barrack approached police on Thursday afternoon to tell them there was accommodation at his hotel if necessary for local people.
He said: 'We've had people sleeping here, there and everywhere.
'A pregnant woman arrived at about 1am and we had no more rooms but a young man at the bar said he would move his stuff and slept on the floor to give her the room.
'There is great community spirit, everyone is talking to each other and it's been very good actually. I went down to the police station yesterday and told them if anyone needed accommodation to send them up to us and the emergency services have done a good job.
'Fortunately it's a quiet period, it's the first business week of the year so we've had spare rooms.'
Mr Barrack sympathised with those who have seen their properties damaged by flooding and said people will be welcome to stay at the Strathburn again.
'If needs be there will accommodation here again tonight,' he added.
'People obviously had to move quick last night and they're obviously anxious to get home and check on their homes.
Steve Russell stayed at the hotel on Thursday night with his partner and dog.
Sun rise over the River Cam in Cambridge this morning on a cold start to the day with tempreatures set to be colder next week
Despite the cold weather, rowers braved the conditions on the River Cam to get some early morning exercise as the sun rose
Rowers weren't afraid of the cold, but have been advised to expect more of the same, with winter conditions expected to last until as late as March after one of the warmest Decembers on record
They returned home on Friday morning to see the damage to their home in Inverurie and told BBC Radio Scotland: 'It looks pretty terrible. There is still a lot of standing water at the rear of the property. My partner is having a look inside to see if she can actually assess it.
'We'd been alert since late on Sunday and actually started moving electrical things and photographs and personal things that can't be replaced upstairs just in case.
'We came home early on Thursday and the roads were diabolical and could see the river so we made more moves in the house with furniture and things put upstairs.
'It will have saved things that are sort of over four feet in the house, however anything that was attached to the walls will now be at risk of falling because water is just going to sponge up and any art or anything like that will just have to come off the walls.
'The walls themselves are destroyed, the floors are destroyed, the larger items of furniture that we could not move. The furniture is now probably destroyed and all that is really, really hard to take, particularly as this is our first house together a year and a half later so it's really pretty painful for us both to go through just now.
He added: 'You think you can make preparations but they don't always work. You need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.'
