Further flooding to hit N. England as fresh storm approaches

Another spell of wet and windy weather is to hit parts of northern England, which has been slammed with torrential rain and flooding since earlier this month.

The Met Office said the approaching storm, Frank, will bring more rainfall and severe gales to those affected areas in north and west England later on Tuesday and Wednesday. It forecast that gusts of up to 90-105 km per hour were quite likely, with gusts reaching 115-130 km per hour in exposed areas, particularly in northwest Scotland and Shetland.

Rainfall totals of 20-40 mm are expected, with some exposed areas in southwest Scotland and Cumbria potentially receiving 100-150 mm of rainfall.

"We expect stormy conditions to return midweek, and have already issued national severe weather warnings for gales on Tuesday and heavy rain on Wednesday," said Will Lang, the Met Office's chief meteorologist.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said that despite some water levels having receded on Monday, thousands of families and businesses across the north would endure another devastating day with Storm Frank forecast for this evening.

The Environment Agency is checking and maintaining flood defenses, clearing blockages in watercourses and monitoring water levels. They are backed by 500 military personnel who remain on the ground across the region, with 1,000 more on standby, according to Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss.

Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) has also joined in the relief efforts, delivering power generators to the Foss barrier via helicopter on Monday. The RAF will also be mobilized to help repair flood defenses in Lancashire.
  Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
29/12/15
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