Summary

  • Weather warnings are in place across the East of England due to Storm Ciarán

  • The most severe weather was expected in Essex, but an amber warning for very strong winds has now been downgraded

  • A yellow warning for strong winds or heavy rain is in place in Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Suffolk

  • More than 70 schools have been closed in Suffolk, and a handful in Norfolk

  • Hundreds of homes were without power in Norfolk, and some in Suffolk

  1. Thanks for joining uspublished at 16:58 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    That brings an end to our live updates for today.

    Heavy rainfall and winds brought a lot of disruption across the East of England but the worst of the storm is now thought to have passed.

    In Essex and Hertfordshire a yellow rain warning remains in place until midnight.

    Thanks for joining us to read the latest information. Stay safe out there.

  2. Abandoned vehicles blocking roadspublished at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Suffolk Highways has said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that they have received reports of multiple vehicles being abandoned in flood water.

    It says the vehicles are blocking the highway and stopping crews getting to emergency incidents.

  3. Van driver rescued from flood waterpublished at 16:33 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    A black van is stranded in flood waterImage source, Cambridgeshire Constabulary

    Cambridgeshire Police officers are in Linton after a van driver called to say he became stuck in flood water in Mill Lane.

    "Thankfully he is out of the vehicle and unharmed," they said in a post on Facebook.

    The force has reminded drivers that it is not recommended to drive into flood water that is moving or more than 10cm deep.

    A police car and fire engine on a country road in LintonImage source, Cambridgeshire Constabulary
  4. Some parts of Framlingham flood againpublished at 16:03 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Flooded roadsImage source, Jamie Niblock/BBC

    In Framlingham and Kettleburgh some roads are impassable due to flooding.

    There's also been some partial flooding in a Framlingham car park.

    During Storm Babet, Framlingham was one of the worst hit areas in Suffolk.

    Partially flooded car park in FramlinghamImage source, Jamie Niblock/BBC
    Image caption,

    A car park in Framlingham has been partially flooded

    Flooded country roadImage source, Jamie Niblock/BBC
  5. Yellow weather warnings still in placepublished at 15:43 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    There are a couple of yellow weather warnings connected to Storm Ciarán that are still in place.

    A warning for wind is in place until 17:00 GMT across parts of Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

    Another warning for rain is in place until midnight for Thurrock in Essex and across Hertfordshire.

    Weather warningImage source, Met Office
  6. Flood warnings still in placepublished at 15:30 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Flood warnings and alerts are still in place across much of the east of England.

    The majority are in Suffolk and Essex.

    A full list can be found here, external.

  7. GP surgeries shut in Suffolkpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Steve Martin
    BBC Radio Suffolk

    Mendlesham and Bacton doctors surgeries have closed for patients and staff safety.

  8. Train line reopenedpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Following earlier issues between Marks Tey and Sudbury the line has since reopened, Greater Anglia says.

    Storm Ciarán caused the line to be blocked earlier.

  9. Dozens of roads in Suffolk affectedpublished at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    A vehicle being used to pump water off a road.Image source, Suffolk Highways

    Storm Ciarán has caused disruption across Suffolk.

    Road closures due to flooding and fallen trees are in place.

    Suffolk County Council says it has teams working to clear roads of standing water and debris.

    A full list of roads reported to be affected is here, external.

    Water being pumped to help with floodingImage source, Suffolk Highways
  10. Firefighters help stop house from floodingpublished at 14:39 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Dean Millward in the doorway of his home with a fire engine in the backgroundImage source, Andrew Turner/BBC

    Dean Millward, 27, came close to having flood water, that had run off a nearby field, come into his home at Beighton Road, Acle.

    He says Storm Ciarán flooded his garden - the fourth time it’s happened in the 18 months he’s lived in his council house.

    When he woke up he saw rising water and worried the house would flood but shortly after the fire service turned up and began pumping water away from a nearby field which had flooded.

    Norfolk Fire Service has been pumping water for almost eight hours. He says he knew that the house had been flooded in the past but was told alleviation work had sorted the problem.

    He says he fears having to move if the house does flood.

  11. Cars try to navigate flooded roadpublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    A road just off the A140 at Thwaite in Suffolk is partially flooded but cars are still trying to navigate through it.

    In Coddenham, Black Smith's Lane is also flooded.

    Advice form the Environment Agency is not to drive through flooded waters. They are reminding people that just 30cm of water can move a car.

    A flooded road just off the A140 at Thwaite.Image source, Kelly McCormack/BBC
    Image caption,

    A flooded road just off the A140 at Thwaite.

    Blacksmith’s Lane, Coddenham.Image source, Louise Brydon/BBC
    Image caption,

    Blacksmith’s Lane, Coddenham.

  12. Firefighters pumping flooded fieldspublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Andrew Turner
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    Watch manager Chris GouldImage source, Andrew Turner/BBC

    Homes at Beighton Road in Acle, Norfolk, narrowly avoided being flooded thanks to sandbags and Norfolk Fire Service.

    Watch manager Chris Gould says they have had pumps working since 08:30 GMT to move water from a flooded field and ditch, to another on the opposite side of the road.

    He anticipates crews will be on site for another hour or two but if it rains again later he says crews will likely be back.

    Pumps in a flooded ditchImage source, Andrew Turner/BBC
    Firecrew has pumps running from a fire engine into flooded areasImage source, Andrew Turner/BBC
  13. Fallen trees in Suffolkpublished at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Suffolk Highways says it has received a number of reports of fallen trees caused by Storm Ciarán:

    • Mill Road in East Bergholt
    • Westerfield Road in Ipswich
    • Sumner Road in Bury St Edmunds
    • Thurston Lane in Stansfield
    • Boathouse Lane in Lowestoft
  14. Water just inches from river cafe doorpublished at 13:51 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Andrew Turner
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    The River Bure is about an inch or two from the door of the Dunes River Café at Acle BridgeImage source, Andrew Turner/BBC

    The River Bure is about an inch or two from the door of the Dunes River Café at Acle Bridge.

    The water level in the area is starting to spill over onto footpaths on the edge of the river.

    High water levels on River BureImage source, Andrew Turner/ BBC
  15. Flooded fields in Grundisburghpublished at 13:49 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Flooding in GrundisburghImage source, Jamie Niblock/BBC

    Fields have flooded in Grundisburgh, Suffolk.

    The village was also hit by flooding during Storm Babet.

  16. Secondary flooding 'imminent' in Badinghampublished at 13:46 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Ben Parker
    BBC Suffolk

    An East Suffolk councillor says the council is arranging a vehicle in Badingham to help clear drains to try and prevent "secondary flooding".

    Liberal Democrat Owen Grey, for Framlingham, says: "Flooding bad in Badingham.

    "Suffolk County Council sending a vehicle to clear the drains there as secondary flooding is imminent."

  17. Rising water in Attleboroughpublished at 13:44 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Earlier we told you about rising water levels at a culvert at Mill Road and Ferguson Way, in Attleborough, Norfolk.

    Residents who live nearby have been making their own sandbags after a local company donated sand.

    New pictures from BBC Norfolk's Edd Smith show how much the water has risen as it rushes through.

    Water rushing through the culvert on Ferguson Way and Mill Lane in Attleborough Norfolk.Image source, Edd Smith/BBC
    Water rushing through the culvert on Ferguson Way and Mill Lane in Attleborough Norfolk.Image source, Edd Smith BBC
  18. Drone footage shows flooding around Coddenhampublished at 13:38 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    These aerial views, captured by Suffolk Drone Services, highlight the flooding across fields and roads by the A140 around Coddenham, Suffolk.

    Media caption,

    Drone footage of flooding around Coddenham, Suffolk

  19. Couple build own mini dampublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Stuart Woodward
    BBC Essex

    Peter and Hilary Thomas outside their front garden gate which has bags of compost and sand piled up.Image source, Stuart Woodward/BBC

    Peter Thomas and his wife Hilary have created a makeshift barrier to try and protect their home in Steeple Bumpstead, Essex.

    Yesterday the water was already rising, Peter says, and "you couldn't get out the house without wearing wellies or boots".

    Since then they have grabbed bags of compost, sand, gravel and bits of wood to create their own mini dam, in the hope it will keep the worst of the flooding from their front door.

    "We haven't stopped the flow but we have reduced it," Peter says.

    He says the drains around the property have been overwhelmed and are no longer taking away rain water.

    Peter says he is still "very concerned" that water levels will rise even after the rain stops.

  20. Flooding causes multiple road closures in Suffolkpublished at 13:17 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 2023

    Lots of roads have been affected by flooding, some prompting closures.

    Closed roads

    • The A14 is closed heading West from J47 for Woolpit to J46, the Thurston turning
    • The B1066 is impassable from Glemsford to Boxted
    • In Leiston, the B1119 is impassable from the Knodishall turn off to The Green
    • In Walsham Le Willows, Grove Road is impassable from Palmer Street to The Causeway
    • Station Road is impassable at Blaxhall
    • In Framlingham, Fairfield Road is impassable from Brick Lane to The Knoll
    • Stone Road is impassable from Coddenham to Crowfield
    • In Rattlesden, Lower Road is impassable from Rising Sun Hill to Birds Green

    Roads open but with flooding:

    • The A1141 near Kersey Mill
    • Sudbury Road from Great Whelnetham to Sicklesmere
    • The A140 around the Wetheringsett turn off
    • Barking Road from Needham Market to Barking
    • Coddenham Road from Lion Lane to Needham Market
    • Stowmarket Road at Badley Hill in Needham Market
    • Sproughton Road from Morrisons to Farthing Road in Ipswich
    • Drinkstone Road from Beyton to Drinkstone,