In June 2016, parts of the United Kingdom were struck by serious flash floods. Starting on 7 June, thunderstorms caused intense rainfall in many locations across the country, particularly in the north of England and in London, causing repeated flash floods in several locations on a daily basis.
![]() | |
Date | 7 June 2016 – 23 June 2016 |
---|---|
Location | United Kingdom |
The flooding in the United Kingdom followed further flooding on the European mainland throughout May and June 2016, although the two events were caused by different weather systems.
Timeline of events
edit5 June
editApproximately 90 minutes of torrential rainfall from 18:30 led to flash flooding across Southport and Birkdale in Merseyside. This resulted in several properties being flooded internally and widespread flooding of the highway.
7 June
editStrong thunderstorms spawned by unusually warm weather caused heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the south of England, particularly in London, where 35 mm (1.4 inches) of rain was recorded in one hour, over two-thirds of the local average monthly rainfall total for June. The south-east London suburbs of Mitcham, Croydon and Wallington were worst affected, with floodwater up to two metres (6.6 ft) deep recorded on roads in Wallington. The London Fire Brigade received over 100 emergency calls and attended to three incidents of cars being swept away by floods, rescuing one person.[1]
Flooding also led to a loss of electrical power at Luton Airport.[1] In Penicuik in Scotland, a primary school and a leisure centre were flooded as well as numerous homes, with severe hail also being reported.[2] Flash floods were also reported in Dunstable town centre and other areas in Bedfordshire, as well as parts of West Yorkshire.[1]
8 June
editIn London, Covent Garden tube station was flooded, with adverse weather forcing the closure of a platform at London Victoria station, while several bus routes were diverted due to flooded roads.[3] Islington, Clapham and Battersea were the worst affected areas.
Severe flooding was also reported across the West Midlands, particularly in Wolverhampton. West Midlands Metro services were suspended due to flooding in Wednesbury, while flooding at Tame Bridge Parkway forced the suspension of National Rail services between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley and flooding between Rowley Regis and Old Hill forced the suspension of services between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stourbridge Junction. Additionally, both the M5 and A38 roads suffered disruption due to flooding.[4]
Greater Manchester was also affected by flooding, particularly in the towns of Oldham, Rochdale and Castleton just after 25 minutes of reported rain. In Middleton, rising floodwaters forced people to abandon their cars, while Middleton Shopping Centre was closed after water began to enter the entrance halls and some shops. Flooding was also reported at Middleton Arena and along the Broadway in Chadderton.[5] The Manchester Arndale was reported flooded as well.
Flash flooding in Windsor forced the evacuation of the Theatre Royal during an opening night performance after water began to enter the auditorium.[6] Flooding was also reported in Sheffield,[7] in Stoke-on-Trent,[8] and in parts of East Sussex.[9]
In Northern Ireland, a lightning strike at a primary school in Lisburn, County Antrim injured three people, including two critically.[1]
9 June
10 June
editFurther thunderstorms on 10 June lead to flash flooding mainly across northern England and the Midlands. Severe flooding was reported in parts of South Yorkshire, with Barnsley the worst affected area. in Staincross, numerous cars and a Stagecoach Yorkshire bus became stranded by rising floodwater, while several residential streets were hit by flash flooding in both Staincross and Grimethorpe, affecting dozens of homes. There were also reports of floodwater being contaminated with raw sewage in several areas, with houses being evacuated as they became contaminated. in Darton, floodwater several feet deep blocked roads around Darton railway station, particularly underneath the railway bridge. Flooding was also reported in Honeywell, Hoyland, Darfield, Birdwell and Worsbrough.[citation needed] There were also reports of flooding in Sheffield, particularly in the north-west of the city. A burst manhole cover caused the entirety of the dual carriageway A61 Penistone Road close to Hillsborough Stadium to become flooded with over a foot of water.[10]
In Nottinghamshire, thirty minutes of intense rainfall led to severe standing water flooding in West Bridgford and Long Eaton, while in Gedling, the Ouse Dyke broke its banks and flooded homes.[11][12] Flooding also affected settlements across the border in Leicestershire, with heavy rainfall flooding businesses on the High Street in the centre of the village of Syston.[13]
Flooding was also reported in parts of Merseyside and Cheshire, including at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet and in parts of Liverpool.[14] Emergency services attended a number of flood-related incidents in Ellesmere Port, where flash floods struck the town centre and the suburbs of Little Sutton and Great Sutton, flooding dozens of homes and businesses with water up to a foot deep and forcing evacuations. A local primary school closed early after part of the roof collapsed due to heavy rainfall, and several classrooms were flooded. A sinkhole also opened up on a residential street as a result of the intense rainfall.[15]
In Greater Manchester, parts of Oldham and Rochdale were struck by flash flooding for the second time in three days. Flooding was also reported in parts of Manchester itself. Both the M60 and M62 motorways were flooded, leading to travel disruption. Homes in Ashton under Lyne were flooded with up to a metre of water, and there were also reports of flooding in the Failsworth area of Rochdale.[16]
In the West Midlands, flooding caused disruption in Cannock, including at the Cannock Shopping Centre, which was closed due to flooding in the area. Roads around Cannock railway station were flooded, with two cars becoming stranded.[17]
Minor flooding was also reported at Deeping St Nicholas in Lincolnshire, with five homes affected.[18]
11 June
editParts of London were again struck by flash flooding on 11 June. Several feet of water caused flooding in numerous areas, particularly Purley, where cars were left stranded and buses were diverted.[19][20] Flooding forced the closure of the A23 in south London, causing travel disruption.[21]
In Greater Manchester, flooding was reported in Stockport, Hazel Grove and Offerton, with roads being transformed into rivers.[22] Arriva Rail North train services were suspended between Buxton and Hazel Grove after flooding and landslides affected the Buxton Line railway.[23] Rail replacement buses were provided as a result of the disruption.[24] National Rail later confirmed that the line would remain closed until the end of service on 12 June while urgent repair work was carried out.[25] There were also reports of flooding in Whaley Bridge, with firefighters rescuing one person from their car.[26]
There was further flooding at the Download Festival at Castle Donington, with several feet of water flooding an entire field where hundreds of tents had been set up.[27] Heavy rainfall caused part of the roof of an ASDA supermarket to collapse in Telford as numerous roads were flooded in the town.[28] In Saltney in Cheshire, flooding closed the local High Street as four cars became trapped in floodwater beneath the railway bridge, where there was water several feet deep. There were also reports of floodwater entering several pubs and businesses in Chester.[29]
12 June
edit12 June saw some of the worst flooding to date. There was widespread flooding across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, with dozens of homes affected and many people having to be evacuated to emergency shelters by the fire brigade using boats, particularly in Poynton.[30][31] There were further landslides on the railway line between Stockport and Disley, forcing it to close again just hours after reopening; it was later confirmed that the line would remain closed until at least 19 June while repair work was carried out.[25][32]
There was also flooding in parts of Gloucestershire, including at Cheltenham Spa railway station and across residential areas of Cheltenham, with disruption to electricity supplies occurring across the county.[33] In Chelmsford in Essex, several homes were flooded with water up to knee depth.[34]
One person was injured during thunderstorms in Bedfordshire after their home in Flitwick was struck by lightning. The Bedfordshire Fire Brigade received over 40 flood-related emergency calls across the county. In Stotfold and Ampthill, a brook burst its banks and a storm drain failed, leading to severe flooding. Flooding also occurred in Cranfield, Barton-le-Clay, Lower Stondon and Lidlington.[35]
13 June
editHeavy rainfall at the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet caused draining systems to fail, causing flooding inside numerous stores, with the roof of at least one store partially collapsing inside.[36] Flooding was also reported across Lancashire, particularly in Lancaster and Morecambe, with up to four feet of water blocking roads in places. At least one car was left stranded by the flooding, with emergency services being called out to deal with the incident.[37]
In Hertfordshire, flooding was reported in Letchworth Garden City, Stotfold and Hitchin. The outdoor swimming pool in Letchworth overflowed, while several streams burst their banks, and sewage systems were overwhelmed, flooding areas with raw sewage.[38][39] The Center Parcs at Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire was also flooded, with seven holiday lodges having to be evacuated.[40]
14 June
editHeavy rainfall caused serious disruption to rail services across the Midlands. Trains were suspended for several hours between Hednesford and Rugeley Trent Valley due to flooding, affecting London Midland services.[41] There was also serious disruption to London Midland and Chiltern Railways services between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stourbridge Junction due to flooding near The Hawthorns.[42]
In Birmingham, the Bullring and Mailbox shopping centres were forced to close due to flooding, which also affected the Grand Central shopping plaza above Birmingham New Street railway station, with water leaking through the roof and flooding the malls. Bus and Midland Metro services were also affected, while the Bull Ring Indoor Market was forced to close. Flooding was also reported in Erdington, where a car overturned.[43] The M5 motorway was flooded between Junctions 1 and 2.[44] A 'major incident' was declared at Heartlands Hospital after flooding struck the accident and emergency department.[45] Flooding was also reported across West Bromwich, including outside The Hawthorns, although the stadium itself appeared unaffected. There was also flooding in parts of Smethwick and areas in nearby Staffordshire.[46]
Further flooding occurred in Shropshire. Several tornadoes touched down close to Shrewsbury, although it remained over rural areas and caused no reported damage. Flooding was reported in Newport, Telford, Lognor, Ketley and Donnington.[47] There were also reports of flooding in north Wales, particularly in Denbighshire and Wrexham;[48] in Greater Manchester;[49] and in Kettering, Northamptonshire.[50]
16 June
editFlash flooding due to severe thunderstorms once again brought disruption to the West Midlands transport network. Significant flooding at Lye once again caused London Midland and Chiltern Railways services to be delayed and cancelled between Kidderminster and Birmingham Snow Hill, whilst several bus routes were diverted due to flooding, in particular in the area surrounding the Merry Hill shopping centre, where several shops had been forced to shut due to large amounts of water coming through the ceiling and the bus station was also flooded.[51][52]
23 June
editFlash flooding particularly affecting London and South East England, caused widespread transport disruption.[53]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Flash flooding causes chaos in parts of England". BBC News. 7 June 2016. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ "Lightning strike and flash flooding during downpours". BBC News. 7 June 2016. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ Mann, Sebastian (8 June 2016). "Londoners soaked in second day of flash floods". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 1 July 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ "Flooding causes travel disruption across West Midlands". ITV News. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ Yarwood, Sam (8 June 2016). "Watch as man abandons car due to flash flooding in Middleton". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ "Windsor theatre evacuated on opening night due to flash flooding". BBC News. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ "Enjoy current sun ... thunder, rain and hail await!". The Star. JPIMedia Publishing. 7 June 2016. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ "Three Stoke-on-Trent roads affected by flooding". Stoke Sentinel. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "A month's rain falls in minutes causing flash flooding". The Argus. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ "Live incident: Flash flooding on Penistone Road". The Star. 10 June 2016. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Flash floods batter East Midlands". ITV News. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ "Rain storm brings flash flooding to Merseyside and Cheshire | Granada - ITV News". Itv.com. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ David Holmes (10 June 2016). "Ellesmere Port deluge leads to flooding". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ Todd Fitzgerald (10 June 2016). "Flash floods hit Greater Manchester following heavy downpours". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Pictures and video: Cannock hit by flash flooding". www.expressandstar.com.
- ^ [3][dead link]
- ^ "Flash floods hit Purley again". Croydon Advertiser. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "London flooding: Flash floods hit Purley after torrential rain". London Evening Standard. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "London Weather: Purley Flash Flooding Causes Chaos As Severe Warning Issued". Huffington Post. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ Beth Abbit (11 June 2016). "Streets turns into RIVER in shocking footage after torrential downpour causes flash flooding". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ [4][dead link]
- ^ "TRAVEL UPDATE: No trains between Buxton and Hazel Grove until June 20 after flooding". Buxton Advertiser. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ a b "National Rail Enquiries - Service Alteration Details". Archived from the original on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ "Person rescued after car enters water at Whaley Bridge". Buxton Advertiser. 9 June 2016. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ [5][dead link]
- ^ "Telford flash flood leaves residents trapped and closes store". www.shropshirestar.com.
- ^ David Holmes. "Saltney High Street cut off by flash flooding". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Flash floods strike Poynton, Disley and Stockport - BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Clean up under way after heavy rain caused flash flooding". ITV News. 12 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Flash floods close Buxton and Hazel Grove railway line until Sunday". BBC News. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "LIVE: The clean-up continues after flash-flooding brought chaos to Gloucestershire | Gloucestershire Live". Archived from the original on 13 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ "Neighbouring Chelmsford homes flooded in storm have left families devastated". Essexchronicle.co.uk. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Man injured in lightning strike as storms cause flooding". ITV News. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "WATCH: Flash flooding at Cheshire Oaks outlet". ITV News. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Torrisholme Road partly closed after Lancaster flooding". Lancaster Guardian. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ JP Asher. "'Never seen anything like it' – Heavy rain floods roads in Letchworth, Hitchin, Stotfold and more". The Comet. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ Perez, Cristina (13 June 2016). "Heavy rain causes flooding in Hertfordshire". Hertfordshire Mercury. Retrieved 30 August 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Woburn Center Parcs flooded in heavy thunderstorms". BBC News. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "National Rail Enquiries - Service Alteration Details". Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ "National Rail Enquiries - Service Alteration Details". Archived from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
- ^ Graeme Brown (14 June 2016). "Birmingham floods: Parts of the Bullring and Mailbox closed". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ Graeme Brown (14 June 2016). "Birmingham floods: Buses and Metro services cancelled and Bull Ring markets close". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ Anuji Varma (14 June 2016). "Major incident declared at Heartlands hospital's accident and emergency department". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "West Midlands flash flooding: Torrential rain swamps roads for the SECOND time in a week". www.expressandstar.com.
- ^ "Video and pictures: Flash flooding hits Shropshire again as 'twister' appears over Shrewsbury". www.shropshirestar.com.
- ^ Sarah Hodgson (14 June 2016). "Recap: Flooding as storms batter North Wales". Daily Post. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ Alexandra Rucki (14 June 2016). "Manchester weather: Flood warnings issued as heavy rain expected today". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "Concerns after flash flooding shuts Kettering street". Northamptonshire Telegraph. 14 June 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
- ^ "NX West Midlands". Retrieved 16 June 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Network Rail Twitter". Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "Second Round Of Weather Chaos Hits UK". Sky News. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.