Summary

  • Heavy rainfall from Storm Bert has led to a major incident being declared by the emergency services in Northamptonshire

  • Residents have been flooded out of their homes at Billing Aquadrome just weeks after the last floods at the caravan site

  • Several roads have been closed and no services are stopping at Northampton Railway Station due to flooding

  • Some schools have been closed for the day

  • A number of flood warnings remain in place county-wide

Live Reporting

Reporting by James Grant. Editing by David Keller.

  1. Goodbye

    We are ending our live updates on the Northamptonshire floods.

    If you are just joining us, emergency services in the county have now rated the floods a "major incident".

    Scroll down to read more, or you can read a round-up of all of the main updates here.

    There will also be further reporting on this evening's edition of Look East from 18:30 GMT.

    The latest flood warnings can be found on the Environment Agency's page, and West and North Northamptonshire councils have further advice on their websites too.

    Thank you for following.

  2. Flooding at Billing Aquadrome - in pictures

    Here are some of the scenes witnessed at Billing Aquadrome today, as the area remains under a severe flood warning.

    dozens of flooded caravans at Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park near Northampton as seen from above.PA Media
    dozens of flooded caravans at Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park near Northampton as seen from above.PA Media
    A local resident, wrapped in blankets, is attended to as she is lifted into an emergency vehicle at the Billing Aquadrome.PA Media
    A man walks through floodwater near the Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire.PA Media
    A woman walks through floodwater near the Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire.PA Media
    A red emergency services vehicle wades through water that is just above ankle height near Billing AquadromePA Media

  3. Environment Agency: 'This is a one in 100 flood'

    Ben Thornley, area flood risk manager for the Environment Agency, has described the significance of this round of flooding in Northamptonshire.

    Mr Thornley said: "We're seeing the highest flows [of water] through Northampton that we've ever seen.

    "180 tonnes of water a second was flowing through Northampton this weekend. We believe this is at least a one in a 100 flood.

    "We expect significant challenges as the water travels down through the Nene catchment, heading through Thrapston and up towards Peterborough."

    A man in a black Environment Agency jacket stands in front of a flooded car parkJo Black/ BBC

  4. Billing Aquadrome resident: Floods 'worst I've ever seen'

    Sam Craddock, 50, has lived in a lodge at Billing Aquadrome for 15 years and tells the BBC's Jo Black the flooding over the weekend is "the worst [she has] ever seen". She will now be staying in rented accommodation.

    "We didn't expect the flooding to be this bad. We don't know what our lodge looks like because the water level is so high," she says.

    "My car has been flooded, so I don't know what's going to happen with that. We don't know when we'll be allowed back."

    A woman with dark brown hair wearing a blue puffer jacket and red cap looks at the camera.Jo Black/BBC

  5. Update on Overstone Road 'sinkhole'

    Regarding the hole that has opened up underneath a property on Overstone Road in Northampton, Ms Earnshaw adds it is not directly related to the flooding and has been caused by building works.

    "Therefore, for the safety of the residents, our engineers decided the best thing to do was to remove those residents affected," she says.

  6. Council comments on Billing Aquadrome flooding

    Anna Earnshaw, chief executive of West Northamptonshire Council, has told Roberto Perrone on BBC Radio Northampton: "We have to accept, unfortunately, that Billing Aquadrome was built on a flood area [in 1960]. In this day and age you just wouldn't get planning permission.

    "I really feel for the residents faced with the devastation [the flooding] has caused.

    "Some people are having to be rehoused temporarily, which is exceptionally difficult as it's hard to find hotel rooms.

    "We have three rescue centres running with around 80-odd people in them. If we need to, we will cater for them overnight - we've got blankets, beds and food."

    A woman with glasses wears a white and black chequered blazer and black shirt standing in front of a map of NorthamptonshireKate Bradbrook/ BBC

  7. Railway spokesperson gives update

    Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton, London Northwestern Railway spokesperson Andrew McGill says the floodwater has receded at Northampton Station, with the tracks visible again.

    However, he says: "The issue we have now is the level of flooding is such that there has to be safety checks on all the railway infrastructure.

    "Network Rail are in the process of doing that now, but we understand this will not be complete by tomorrow. And that means we won't be able to run any trains to or from Northampton Station tomorrow.

    "There will be rail replacement bus services to Rugby and Milton Keynes."

  8. Two children rescued from car

    Corby, Weldon and the surrounding area was also badly hit last night, with some homes being flooded, and various roads in the town and the A43 being shut for a period of time.

    According to the Northamptonshire Telegraph, fire crews were sent to Phoenix Parkway to rescue two adults and two children stuck in their car.

    Multiple posts from residents on Facebook also showed flooding had affected the area near Lidl on Oakley Road.

  9. Train disruption to continue into tomorrow

    Pete Cooper
    BBC News

    Posting on X, London Northwestern Railway says: "Tuesday 26/11 Due to flooding no services will operate to and from Northampton."

    "Replacement buses will operate between Rugby & Northampton, Northampton & Milton Keynes.

    "Central Services to run between: Euston-Milton Keynes, BHM-Rugby, Crewe-Rugby."

  10. Where to report flooding issues

    The emergency services say you can find up-to-date warnings and information at https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/

    Further information and guidance on flooding, and how to report it, can also be found below.

    West Northamptonshire – https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/its-emergency/report-flood

    North Northamptonshire – https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/flooding

    A fire and police car drives through flood water which nearly goes over the bonnent.Reuters

  11. Flooding affecting Wellingborough

    Further along the River Nene, water levels at Wellingborough's embankment have also risen today, as the heavy rain makes its way down stream.

    These photos were taken by the BBC's Jo Black.

    Swans and two ducks swim past a park bench where a pathway usually would beJo Black/BBC
    High flood water in a parkJo Black/BBC

  12. 'Low' mood at Billing Aquadrome

    A resident of Billing Aquadrome, who wants to be anonymous, says the mood at the site today has been "low" - and many of her neighbours are hoping to move away soon.

    "Everyone knows when you hear the sirens you have got to go. But now some of us are still stuck here and a lot of the roads are closed. A lot are stranded here," she says.

    A black car driving through heavily flood waters in Billing Aquadrome. The top of a green bin lid is floating in the water.PA Media

  13. Assistance centre opened in Kettering

    The statement goes on to describe how North Northamptonshire Council has set up another assistance centre in Kettering at the Counties Community Centre, for residents at the Venture Park area of the town.

    And the councils' highways teams are supporting emergency services with flooding incidents county-wide, having so far received more than 160 calls, mainly relating to reports of flooding and fallen trees.

    A sign for the A45 road to Northampton and Wellingborough in the midst of high flood waterPA

  14. Police 'expect to remain very busy'

    Northamptonshire Police says it received more than 600 calls to 999 related to Storm Bert.

    Demand for assistance continues to be "extremely high", with the police and fire services asking people to only dial 999 where there is a risk to life.

    Supt Steve Freeman, from Northamptonshire Police, says: "Please avoid all unnecessary travel and do not drive through floodwater of any depth.

    "We expect to remain very busy over the coming days dealing with issues relating to Storm Bert, and I would ask residents in Northamptonshire to consider whether any journey they're making is necessary."

  15. Welfare checks carried out

    The emergency services say West Northamptonshire Council and the Children's Trust have now carried out welfare checks and calls to the area's most vulnerable children and adults.

    They add that control rooms for police and fire received more than a 1,000 calls over the weekend from people needing help.

    The fire service says it received 245 weather-related calls, with 36 incidents needing to be attended to by firefighters.

    Billing Aquadrome emergency responseReuters

    An emergency response has been carried out at Billing Aquadrome

  16. Major incident announced - more information

    Following the evacuation of approximately 1,000 people at Billing Aquadrome, West Northamptonshire Council says it is providing a rest centre for about 84 people at Lings Forum Leisure Centre.

    Their immediate welfare and temporary accommodation needs are being assessed by council teams, who are also making welfare checks on vulnerable people across the county.

    Six people with care and support needs have been moved to alternative provision.

    More to follow.

  17. Major incident declared - the latest

    As mentioned, a major incident has been declared in Northamptonshire as heavy rainfall during Storm Bert has led to widespread flooding across the county.

    A statement released by Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, representing the county's emergency services and the councils, says several areas have been "heavily hit" by floods, with "emergency services and volunteers working to rescue residents from flooded properties and stranded vehicles".

    It says a number of flood alerts and warnings remain in place, including a severe flood warning at Billing Aquadrome, where residents have been forced to leave their homes.

    We'll bring you more soon.

    Billing Aquadrome floodedPA Media

    Billing Aquadrome has flooded once more, with many residents being forced to leave their homes

  18. Emergency services declare 'major incident'
    Breaking

    The flooding across Northamptonshire caused by Storm Bert has led to the county's emergency services declaring a "major incident".

    We'll bring you the latest from their joint statement shortly.

  19. Overstone Road hole being 'assessed'

    Overstone Road in Northampton has been closed while inspections are carried out at the site of a possible sinkhole underneath a house.

    In a statement, a spokesperson from West Northamptonshire Council said: "A structural engineer is assessing the building where the sinkhole has appeared on Overstone Road to determine whether it is safe for people to return to the location.

    "We will continue to keep those affected updated."

  20. Billing resident of 25 years to move away after floods

    James Grant
    Reporter

    Stan Brown, 67, has lived at Billing Aquadrome for 25 years, but he has finally had enough - and will move away after this round of flooding.

    Speaking outside The Quays pub by the holiday park, Mr Brown says: "It's four times this year, so that's it, I've just had enough. Enough is enough.

    "I've lost £140,000. That's just my lodge that I own."

    A man in a open grey polo shirt stands in front of a flooded roadPA Media