Clean-up operations are underway after flash floods devastated parts of the Yorkshire Dales, with more than 100 homes flooded, bridges destroyed and roads blocked. The Army was deployed to Grinton after 50mm of rain fell in just one hour, accompanied by hailstones the size of sweets.
The Met Office has issued warnings for eight regions across central and northern England, forecasting up to 40mm of rain in two hours on Wednesday. Thunderstorm alerts are also in place for Scotland. The Environment Agency has ten flood warnings active for North Yorkshire, Lancashire and the West Midlands.
In the Yorkshire Dales, a bridge collapsed in Grinton and railway lines between Kirkby Stephen and Garsdale were washed away. Mountain rescue teams saved a man and woman stranded on a cliff at Filey Brigg. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority warned the repercussions would be felt for months.
Emergency services urged residents and tourists to remain indoors. The Government has pledged £2.6 billion for flood defences over the next six years, on top of £1 billion by 2020.
