Severe flood risk as heavy showers batter Nottinghamshire, UK

TORRENTIAL wet weather has caused havoc across the county with more showers and heavy winds on the way.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning throughout the day with a “severe risk” of flooding in parts of Nottinghamshire.

The rain is forecast to continue until 10pm with gale force winds during the evening as well.

The Environment Agency has said floods are expected later today in Bulwell near the river Leen.

Further flood alerts have been issued for areas in Mansfield, Clipstone, Edwinstowe, Ollerton and West Drayton near the River Maun.

Roads have been affected too – Nottingham City Transport has already announced route diversions on its Red Line 44 service due to flood risk in Gedling Village.

Gedling Village resident Francis Rodrigues, 64, said his neighbours had been putting up defences throughout the morning.

He said: “It seems like it’s coming on heavy again, someone I saw has used sand bags because of how bad it is.

“It looks like it will get worse – it doesn’t seem to want to stop.”

Events including Outlaws v Surrey at Trent Bridge have been cancelled because of the storms.

A spokesperson for Trent Bridge said: “Notts Outlaws’ Royal London One-Day Cup match against Surrey has been abandoned.

With today’s gate receipts set to be donated to the Trent Bridge Community Trust, the Club will honour all Surrey tickets at the Royal London One-Day Cup match against Warwickshire at Trent Bridge on Wednesday 20 August.

“Supporters are asked to retain their tickets to gain entry to the ground at that fixture.

Weather action groups Southwell Flood Forum has been keeping a close eye on the situation throughout the morning.

Chair Jacky Huson said: “People have put up their barriers, we’re keeping an eye out and taking precautions as best we can.

“We’re coping at the moment, but what we wouldn’t want at the moment is a great big storm.

“It looks like the worst is going to the west – we’re sitting tight though and hoping for the best.”

However, despite the gloomy picture some have embraced the downpours.

In Newark dozens have braved the rain to take part in the Great March, a commemorative walk held in honour of local soldiers who served in the forces during the First World War.

Taking to Twitter, Newark MP Robert Jenrick wrote: “Great turnout for Newark’s Great March despite the rain. Simple, dignified & very British.”

A Met Office spokesman said the weather would remain consistently wet and windy.

He added: “We’ve got some heavy bursts of rain in the area at the moment.

“We’ll probably see things ease off for a time about the middle of the afternoon but heavier rain is looking to spread back from the west as we go into the evening, probably taking until late evening before things start to dry out.”

“The strength of the winds, especially in Nottingham, could reach gale force during this evening and into tonight and will be strong tomorrow as well.”