Storm Babet Flood Warnings Lifted but More Chaos Looms
Relief is in sight as severe flood warnings along the River Derwent in Derby and the River Idle in the East Midlands have been lifted after Storm Babet. But don’t ditch the wellies just yet – the Environment Agency warns that more flood alerts are on the way this week.
Flooding Set to Stick Around
The Environment Agency confirms river flooding will continue through Wednesday, especially along the River Severn. Expect further river and surface water flooding across parts of England on Tuesday and Wednesday, thanks to relentless heavy rain.
Hundreds of Flood Warnings in Place
- 128 flood warnings active – meaning flooding is expected
- 127 flood alerts issued – indicating possible flooding
These figures, as of Sunday night (October 22), underline the huge threat still looming over many communities.
Storm Babet’s Deadly Toll
Tragedy has struck hard. At least four people have lost their lives due to the storm. Among them, 83-year-old Maureen Gilbert was found dead in her Chesterfield home on Saturday morning.
“She was a ray of sunshine for everyone who was fortunate enough to know her,” mourns the family of 57-year-old Wendy Taylor, who tragically drowned after being swept away in the Water of Lee, Glen Esk.
Stay Alert and Prepare
The Environment Agency urges everyone to stay vigilant. Sign up for flood warnings and keep an eye on safety advice. With ground already saturated, even a little more rain risks pushing rivers and streets under water again.
Major rivers will remain swollen well into Tuesday, causing disruptions to train services across Scotland and East Anglia. Some routes remain submerged, highlighting the ongoing headache from Storm Babet.
