Flood alerts have been issued across Lancashire as heavy rain and strong winds cause disruption on New Year’s Eve.
A yellow weather warning for rain, issued by the Met Office, is currently in place across most of the county. It came into force at 3pm today (December 31) and will last until 11am on Wednesday (January 1).
Forecasters warn that ‘fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life’. They also said homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings, while power cuts and road closures are possible.
No weather warnings are currently in place for Lancashire, however the Environment Agency has issued eight ‘be prepared’ flood alerts due to rising river levels. People living in affected areas are being advised to ‘avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses’.
The latest Met Office forecast shows the heavy downpours are expected to continue for the rest of New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s Day. The rain will start to ease at around 7am, however more light rain is expected until midday.
A yellow weather warning for rain is in place until 11am on Wednesday
The Met Office weather warning states: “Beginning on New Year’s Eve, persistent and at times heavy rainfall is expected as a band of rain becomes slow-moving across the region, accompanied by strong south-westerly winds which will gust 50-60 mph in places. This rain then clears slowly southwards later on Wednesday morning.
“30-50 mm rain is expected fairly widely, with 50-100 mm across west-facing hills. There is a chance a few locations could see in excess of 100 mm during the event, with north Wales the most likely region to see these larger totals.”
Here is a full list of the current flood alerts in place across Lancashire, according to the Environment Agency:
Lower River Ribble and Darwen
Areas most at risk include River Ribble from Samlesbury and the River Darwen from Darwen including Blackburn, Preston, Walton-Le-Dale, Pleasington and Higher Walton.
River Lostock and River Yarrow
Areas most at risk include Rivers Yarrow and Lostock and other watercourses from Whittle-Le-Woods and Chorley to Croston including Leyland, Coppull, Eccleston, Lostock Hall and Bamber Bridge.
Lower River Douglas
Areas most at risk include River Douglas and other watercourses from Parbold to Tarleton including Rufford, Mawdesley, Croston and Moss Side.
River Calder in east Lancashire
Areas most at risk include Rivers Calder, Brun, Don and Pendlewater, from Laneshaw Bridge to the river Ribble including Trawden, Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Accrington and Whalley.
Upper River Wyre, Brock
Areas most at risk include Rivers Wyre, Calder and Brock and other watercourses from Abbeystead to Catterall including Scorton, Garstang, Bilsborrow, Ainspool and Churchtown.
Lower River Wyre
Areas most at risk include River Wyre, River Cocker, Pilling Water and other watercourses from Catterall to Fleetwood, including St Michaels and Great Eccleston and Preesall.
Upper River Ribble, Hodder
Areas most at risk include Rivers Ribble, Hodder and other watercourses, from Settle to Samlesbury including Clitheroe, Gisburn, Sawley, Waddington and Ribchester.
Lower River Lune and Conder
Areas most at risk include River Lune, Conder and Keer and other watercourses from Kirkby Lonsdale to Galgate including Gressingham, Carnforth, Hornby, Wray, Bentham and Lancaster.
Latest 5-day Met Office forecast for the region
This Evening and Tonight:
Very wet this evening and to start the new year with persistent and very heavy rain, giving local flooding. Rain easing across Cumbria by dawn. Windy and mild this evening though turning colder overnight with winds easing for a time. Minimum temperature 4C.
Wednesday:
Heavy rain for many at first, this clearing through the morning. Brighter for a time but blustery wintry showers then moving south. Notably colder than of late. Windy at times. Maximum temperature 6C.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Dry and sunny on Thursday. Sunny spells and wintry showers on Friday and Saturday, with snow over hills. Cold with widespread overnight frosts, perhaps severe in places. Breezy at times.
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