BRITS have been warned “do not attempt to travel” amid heavy flooding after a school girl was killed in a mudslide yesterday.
The Met Office has issued yellow rain warnings covering much of the UK today after six-year-old Leah Harrison died in a mudslide yesterday.
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The tragedy happened at around 1.15pm in Carlton-in-Cleveland on the edge of the North York Moors.
Leah was named as a student at Mount Pleasant Primary School in Darlington today.
Heartfelt tributes have rolled in, Nick Blackburn, chief executive of the Lingfield Education Trust, said: “Leah was a much-loved part of our school and our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the school staff.
“He added: ‘”We are all in a state of shock and we would ask that the privacy of the family and the school community is respected while we try to come to terms with what has happened.”
Paying tribute on Facebook, Melissa Mullen wrote: “Leah Harrison, the happy bubbly go lucky little girl.
“The beautiful smile, the giddy laugh the silly jokes.
“You will never be forgotten baby girl.
“You will achieve your dream and become a player for the lionesses.
“Spread those wings. May you rest in paradise.”
Today, heavy flooding is continuing to wreak havoc across the nation with roads and rail services severely impacted.
Thousands of commuters faced travel misery this morning after a major train line between England and Scotland was closed due to flooding.
National Rail Enquiries said the West Coast Main Line between Carlisle and Lockerbie is now blocked.
Brits have been urged to check their routes as rail operators including Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper, have reported delays and cancellations.
Avanti West Coast told passengers: “Please do not attempt to travel with us between Preston and Scotland.
“We’re really sorry if this affects your journey today.”
Major train disruption
CANCELLATIONS and delays are expected for the rest of the day.
Avanti West Coast told passengers: “Please do not attempt to travel with us between Preston and Scotland.
“We’re really sorry if this affects your journey today.”
The company told ticketholders they can travel with other operators such as LNER on the East Coast Main Line, postpone their journey or request a refund.
TransPennine Express commercial director Darren Higgins said: “Due to flooding on the railway line north of Carlisle, train services are significantly disrupted.
“The safety of our customers and colleagues is our priority and we are urging customers not to travel between Manchester, Liverpool (or) Preston to Carlisle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
“Anyone planning on travelling by train today can choose to defer their travel or claim a refund.”
ScotRail services between Carlisle and Glasgow Central are expected to start/terminate at Dumfries.
And, a Trainline spokesperson added: “The severe weather has caused major disruption to train service across northwestern England and Scotland.
“With some train operators advising against travel, we’ll be doing our best to help customers.
“Our automated updates inform passengers if the train they are booked on is disrupted, customers can claim a refund with a single tap instead of travelling if their journey is affected, and our handy guide will advise them if they can use their tickets another day instead.”
It comes as the Met Office issued yellow rain warnings for north Wales, north west England, West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and the majority of Scotland until noon today.
Spray and flooding will probably lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
There is a good chance some communities will be cut off by flooded roads.
Meanwhile, National Highways issued 12 severe travel traffic alerts across the UK this morning.
Has your journey been affected? Email summer.raemason@the-sun.co.uk
Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are also likely, forecasters said.
And there will likely be power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.
A yellow alert covering the Scottish Highlands will end at 10am today, while the notice affecting those across the rest of Scotland will terminate at 6pm.
The warning issued to northeastern parts of Northern Ireland comes to an end at 10am.
Meanwhile, Met Office meteorologists predict the yellow alert covering the north of England will finish at noon.
Around 70-90mm of rain could fall on high ground in northwest England while a whopping 100-150mm of rain could drench the mountains of north Wales.
There are currently 16 flood warnings in place across the UK, while 98 areas have been alerted that flooding “is possible”.
Locals are urged to take action before the rivers burst their banks – swamping farms and houses.
Met Office: How to stay safe in the downpour
KEEP yourself and others safe – avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions.
If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously.
It is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater, so avoid it where possible.
If you are affected by fast-flowing or deep water call 999, and wait for help.
Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities.
Met Office expert Neil Armstrong said: “A band of prolonged and heavy rain will move north and west across the UK today.
“Areas exposed to the strengthening northerly winds are most likely to see the highest rainfall amounts.
“There is a chance of some areas, particularly over higher ground in North Wales, seeing more than 150mm.
“Areas over higher ground in the amber warning areas could see more than one month’s worth of rain.”
Is your area affected?
THE worst affected areas in England and Wales are listed below.
East Midlands
North West England
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Cheshire East
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Greater Manchester
- Halton
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- Warrington
Wales
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Wrexham
Yorkshire & Humber
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