Lancashire set for yet more flooding as downpours continue

Summer may be over for Lancashire as the county is battered by torrential rain.
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Met Office experts are warning of more possible flash flooding today and tomorrow, as heavy downpours are expected.

The Environment Agency had issued two flood alerts for the River Wyre, and pupils from a Preston school were sent home yesterday after parts of the building were flooded.

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Yellow warnings of rain were issued for Lancashire for today and tomorrow, from 10am to 9pm.

Flash flooding under  the railway bridge at Torrisholme Road, LancasterFlash flooding under  the railway bridge at Torrisholme Road, Lancaster
Flash flooding under the railway bridge at Torrisholme Road, Lancaster

An update on the Met Office website said: “Scattered heavy, thundery showers are expected to develop again on Tuesday, and will lead to slow-moving downpours across the warning area.

“Many locations will miss these, but where they do occur, please be aware of possible localised flooding and disruption to travel.”

And more warnings are in place for tomorrow, from 10am to 9pm, with similar conditions expected.

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The Environment Agency had also issued flood alerts for Lancashire yesterday afternoon, as the county was battered by torrential rain.

Flash flooding under  the railway bridge at Torrisholme Road, LancasterFlash flooding under  the railway bridge at Torrisholme Road, Lancaster
Flash flooding under the railway bridge at Torrisholme Road, Lancaster

Two alerts, meaning flooding is possible, be prepared, were issued for the lower River Wyre and the upper River Wyre at Brock.

And Archbishop Temple CE High School was closed yesterday, as the torrential rain caused flash flooding.

Pupils from the Fulwood school were sent home after part of the school was flooded, and crews from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service were on site.

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A letter to parents and carers from headteacher Gill Jackson, on the school’s website yesterday, said: “As you will know there was a very heavy downpour which led to a flash flood at school.

“This affected the maths block as water flooded in from the junior yard, and the English department as water came down the exterior steps into our English corridor.

“Water also came down the main drive towards the kitchen, but the kitchen was protected by barriers and sandbags from the History department’s World War One trench display, so although the entrance to the kitchen was under water none of it went into the food preparation area.

“The fire brigade instructed us to turn off all power and because of this we would have been unable to continue working as normal, therefore we made the decision that the safest option was to close.”
The school was expected to be open today as normal, with exams unaffected.

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Flash flooding struck in the north of the county yesterday, with cars submerged in deep water on roads in Lancaster and fire crews called out.

A number of roads were partly closed after heavy rain hit Lancaster and Morecambe yesterday morning.

And in the early hours of yesterday, fire crews were called to flooding in a flat in Curwen Street, Preston.

A blocked drain and heavy rain had resulted in water coming through the ceiling of a first-floor flat.

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Crews were also called to Church Street in Lancaster after two shops were partly flooded, at about 10.55am yesterday morning.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council, said: “In response to the forecasts for heavy showers, our highways engineers have been checking that vulnerable locations are clear of blockages and debris so that the drains can accommodate as much water as possible and reduce the risk of surface water flooding.

“Where flooding issues on the roads have been reported, we’ve been out checking that drains are running clear and, if necessary, clearing them. By its nature, heavy rain can’t drain away immediately and may result in some difficult conditions, and we would ask drivers to take care if they’re caught in a heavy storm.”

Forecasters say things should brighten up in time for the weekend, and meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “On Thursday we could see some more showers, but I’m not expecting them to be as heavy or as frequent and it should turn drier as we go through the day.

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“Through Friday and into Saturday, while there will be a little bit of showery rain around, there won’t be a great deal and it should turn largely dry into Saturday with a good deal of dry and bright weather.