A major incident has been declared in Sheffield after heavy rainfall caused extensive flooding, while nearly 100 flood alerts and warnings were in place across South Yorkshire.
This includes five severe flood warnings where there is a risk of danger to life, and 68 where flooding is expected and immediate action is required.
One emergency responder said the rainfall was not far from 'biblical'.
There has been significant travel disruption in Sheffield, and a number of road closures across the city.
Hundreds of people were stranded at the Meadowhall shopping centre after the slipway on the M1 at junction 34 was closed. Homes in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, were evacuated at 17.00 yesterday following a mudslide caused by heavy rain.
Bassetlaw BC set up an emergency rest centre at Worksop Leisure Centre after fears about rising river levels on the River Ryton in Worksop led to a number of homes being evacuated.
Rotherham MBC said last night that Rotherham town centre, Whiston, Catcliffe and Laughton Common ‘are areas of greatest concern to us currently’.
‘We are making contingency plans in case the situation worsens.’
Chief executive of Sheffield City Council John Mothersole said today: ‘We are working closely with all our partners to keep people across the city safe….The latest position at the current time is that there is some ‘overtopping’ of the flood defences at the Lower Don Valley.’
He added: ‘This is not a breach of the defences, but some water is coming over the top of the defences in some places. This is mainly a business area and no residential properties are likely to be affected by this; we will liaise closely with the businesses affected.’
So far there have been no reported compulsory evacuations in Sheffield. A number of properties where water is coming up through the cellars because of the rising water table are being closely monitored however.
The Environment Agency and contractors Amey are on site and keeping a close eye on the situation– but at the other residential areas previously identified as being at risk, ‘flooding has not affected these properties’ Mr Mothersole said.
As well as reports of surface water, flood warnings have been issued for the River Don and Blackburn Brook.
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