LONDON (AP) — Emergency services carried out evacuations on Monday, rescuing individuals from flooded residences and stranded vehicles as a wet and chilly spell persisted, causing disruptions across various regions of the U.K. Further wintry weather was anticipated, adding to the challenges faced by residents.
Numerous schools remained shut on the first day of the 2025 academic year, with train services suspended and commuters experiencing significant disruptions. Sections of highways and major roads were rendered impassable due to high water levels and snow accumulation, leading to hazardous driving conditions.
Warnings about potential flooding were issued for over 165 locations in England and Wales, with several train routes either closed or experiencing delays as a result of floodwater or debris on the tracks. In response to the crisis, Leicestershire and neighboring Lincolnshire in the English Midlands declared major incidents, fielding hundreds of calls for assistance as overflowing waterways transformed roads into rivers, submerging vehicles up to their roofs.
The Leicestershire fire service reported that at least 17 rescues were carried out to extract individuals from inundated properties and vehicles. Emergency responders were engaged in efforts to rescue children stranded at a school in Edenham, with the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum communicating updates on the situation via the X social media platform.
Amid the floodwaters, rows of hedges protruded to mark field boundaries, while extensive tracts of farmland lay submerged. In Yalding, Kent, the Little Venice trailer park found itself besieged by rising floodwaters, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
While snow painted picturesque scenes in the hills of northern England and parts of Scotland, the adverse weather conditions forced the closure of numerous schools on what was meant to be the inaugural day of the year. As temperatures plummeted below freezing in many areas, authorities cautioned the public to exercise caution due to icy surfaces.
Forecasts indicated a continuation of snow and ice risks throughout the U.K., persisting into Tuesday and extending through Wednesday in southern England. Efforts to mitigate the impact of the inclement weather were ongoing, with emergency services striving to ensure the safety and welfare of affected individuals amidst the challenging conditions.
