As it happened: Flooding in the East Midlands

Summary

Heavy rain causes flooding disruption across the region
The Environment Agency issues multiple flood warnings
Three severe weather warnings are issued for Derby
Firefighters have rescued more than 100 people in Derbyshire
Homes have also been evacuated in Edwinstowe, Stapleford and Lowdham
Several roads across the region have been affected

Live Reporting

Samantha Noble, Gavin Bevis and Tom Oakley

Highways chief speaks of 'real concern' over forecastpublished at 15:32 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
Julian Gould, Derbyshire County Council director of highways, said staff had been "absolutely inundated" with alerts about flooded roads.
"It's ramping up right now," he said.
"We had very few at 10am, we now have over 200 to sift through.
"Unfortunately the situation looks quite bad from a weather perspective."
Image source, PA Media
He added: "We have about 30mm of rain in the last 12 hours but the current forecast is for another 80mm in the next 10 to 12 - and that is of a real concern."
He said the main agencies and emergency services had already met to discuss their plans and coordinate action.
School pupils get home after being stuck on buspublished at 15:18 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News
School pupils have made it home after being stuck on a bus for two and a half hours.
The pupils were sent home early from the Minster School in Southwell, but the bus became stuck and had to reroute.
Heather Burman said she was "so happy" when her son got home.
"He's fine - luckily he had bought a sandwich before they left," she said.
"I think the bus driver did well to get them back."
Peak Cavern axes full tours as water risespublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
Another Peak District tourist attraction has been hit by the weather - which isn't surprising as it's underground.
Staff at Peak Cavern - also known as the "Devil's Arse" - said: "It will be no surprise to you that the cavern has gone into flood.
"Unfortunately full tours are not possible today and probably Saturday.
"We are able to still do the Ropemakers story in the cavern entrance."
Image source, Peak Cavern
Owner emotional as gym left 'totally flooded'published at 14:56 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News
Jack Tatham, owner of Tatham's Powerhouse gym in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, became emotional as he told BBC Radio Nottingham about his business being flooded.
He said there was about 10in (25cm) of water all the way through the gym, which is in Bessell Lane.
Image source, Tatham's Powerhouse
"The gym is totally flooded, there's nothing we can do until Severn Trent come down and unblock the system," he said.
He added he was worried about the future of his business, which had also been hit by Covid lockdowns.
"The income is only from the gym and if the members aren't coming in, there's no-one giving us the income," Mr Tatham said.
Firefighters rescue 20 residents from their homespublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News
Firefighters have rescued 20 residents from their homes in the Goyt Side area of Chesterfield.
They say they are dealing with "significant flooding" in the area.
Specialist water rescue teams have also been working to rescue stranded motorists.
Image source, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service
People have been advised to avoid the area and warned not to cross "road closed" signs.
Area manager Paul Moreland said: "The rescues that we have carried out in that area highlight the serious nature of the impact of Storm Babet and I need to ensure people listen to our warnings and follow our advice."
Watery Lane in Derbyshire shutpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News
Watery Lane in Derbyshire is closed all the way from Scropton to the A50.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, due to its name, the road is prone to flooding.
Emergency call plea from fire servicepublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has asked the public to only call them in an emergency.
A spokesman said: "We are getting lots of 999 calls where a fire service response isn't appropriate.
"It would be helpful to remind members of the public to only call 999 in an emergency, where there's an immediate risk to life."
The spokesman added despite the bad weather, the service was not experiencing a particularly high volume of callouts, but is remaining vigilant.
Storm Babet: Road closures in Nottinghamshirepublished at 14:17 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Alex Smith
BBC News Online
Nottinghamshire County Council has posted an update on the road closures in the county.
A spokesperson for the authority urged drivers to "never ignore flood warning and road closure signs", and to not risk driving through flood water.
The roads closed, external include:
- Mill Lane in Sutton-in-Ashfield
- Rufford Road junction A614
- Park Lane in Selston
- Main Street in Woodborough
- London Road in Retford
- Tollerton Lane in Tollerton
- A60, Creswell Craggs
- Wighay Road in Hucknall
Storm Babet: School pupils stuck on buspublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News
Pupils from the Minster School in Southwell have been stuck on a bus unable to get home.
Image source, Supplied
Heather Burman said her son had been on the bus since 11:30 BST.
She said she had "no idea how they'll get back".
The bus was previously stuck at Thurgarton, where traffic was "gridlocked". The vehicle has now rerouted but is still not back.
Floodgates in Derby to close this eveningpublished at 13:56 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
The floodgates at Duke Street and St Mary's Court in Derby will be closing at about 18:00 BST this evening, the city council has said.
High rainfall has resulted in a lot of surface water, and high water levels in the River Derwent are expected.
Image source, Derby City Council
Corporation Street fines will be suspended if the Exeter Bridge floodgates are closed.
Officials said they would continue to monitor the situation, and should further gate closures be necessary, they would release further updates.
Severe flooding shuts A617published at 13:48 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Alex Smith
BBC News Online
The A617 Beck Lane in Nottinghamshire has been shut in both directions due to severe flooding, the fire service says.
Nottinghamshire Police officers are at the scene.
Image source, Ashfield Fire Station
Your pictures of flooding around the regionpublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
Lots of photos have been sent in by our Weather Watchers, giving a unique perspective on how the bad weather is affecting the region.
Mark Hallam captured this image of a very determined dog walker in Church Broughton, Derbyshire.
Image source, Mark Hallam
Derbyshire has seen much of the overnight rain, with the Henmore Brook running very high through Ashbourne.
Image source, Shamrock Sean
Sometimes, it is hard to know whether it is better to go out or stay in. This dog is staying cosy in Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire.
Image source, Helen Earth
Garden centre shuts due to floodingpublished at 13:33 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Alex Smith
BBC News Online
The Hudsons Plant Centre in Derbyshire has closed due to flooding, described as "worse than we have ever seen in the five years we have been here".
The centre shared a video on Facebook earlier, but said the situation had "got a lot worse" since then.
Staff appear to be focusing on the positives though, adding: "At least we don't need to water now!"
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Amateur weatherman describes 'extreme' weatherpublished at 13:18 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
Amateur weatherman Phil Morrish, from Rothley in Leicestershire, told BBC Radio Leicester this is some of the heaviest rain the area has experienced for a while.
He said: "Expect flooding as we have now had over 50mm of rain already this month.
"And we could have another 15 to 20, or even 25mm, today making this an extreme rainfall event.
"It is one of the most extreme rainfall events we have had for a while."
Image source, Getty Images
'It's going to be a bad one'published at 13:09 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News
Michelle Hardwick, assistant manager of the Lighthouse Charity Shop in Matlock, has been working to protect stock from flooding.
She has put up boards and sandbags to try to stop the water getting in, and put furniture on crates to lift it up.
"We know it's going to be a bad one, it's coming," Ms Hardwick said.
"I'm a good sleeper but last night I kept refreshing the flood alert page to see where we're at, because you're responsible."
Storm Babet: What roads are closed in Derbyshire?published at 12:56 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Alex Smith
BBC News Online
Derbyshire County Council has released a list, external of road closures, with people urged not to travel unless their journey is essential.
A number of side roads and rural roads are shut, and the following main roads are closed:
- A6 Rowsley
- A623 Cliff College, between Baslow and Calver
- A617 Hornsbridge
- A6 Matlock Green
- A61 Tupton
- Morley Road, Oakwood
Water gushing down the road in Oxtonpublished at 12:50 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Nathan Heath
BBC West
After a heavy night of rain in the countryside village of Oxton, in Nottinghamshire, muddy water from the waterlogged fields is gushing down Forest Road and heading towards Main Street at high speeds.
Once the water meets St Peter & St Paul's Church, it is nearly a metre deep, and is rapidly gaining height.
Here, people are beginning to sandbag their homes as flooding seems possible, many are concerned the rain does not seem to be stopping any time soon.
Shopping centre car park shut over floodingpublished at 12:41 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
A Nottinghamshire shopping centre has had to close its car park due to flooding.
The Four Seasons Shopping Centre in Mansfield, which has more than 400 spaces, was shut this morning due to the quantity of standing water, the district council said.
Image source, Google
A spokesman said: "We advise customers to take extra precautions on the car park levels.
"If your vehicle is parked in the car park, the exit barrier is up, and our on-site team will be able to help you further."
'We just need some help now'published at 12:34 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Caroline Lowbridge
BBC News
Much of Sherwood Forest Holiday Park, near Edwinstowe in Nottinghamshire, has flooded.
The River Maun runs through the site, and park manager Andrew Robinson said half of the touring pitches in the riverside area had been "taken out" by flooding.
Image source, Sherwood Forest Holiday Park
"It's been a trying year this year because this is the third time we've flooded," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.
"We just need some help now from the Environment Agency so we can hopefully shore up the river and maybe things like this may get better in the future."
Museum and restaurant to close earlypublished at 12:25 British Summer Time 20 October 2023
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
One of Derby's main museums is to close early due to the bad weather.
A spokesman said: "Due to the amber weather warning in place for Derby today, the Museum of Making is closing at 4pm.
"The River Kitchen will also close early at 3pm. Please note the lifts are currently out of service.
"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."
Image source, Museum of Making