Motorists faced an icy commute to work in parts of Britain this morning after temperatures plummeted to -5C overnight and forecasters warned of a further inch of snow.
Rain is expected for much of the UK throughout today, along with gusts of up to 50mph on the South West coast, while the Environment Agency has imposed more than 300 alerts or warnings as the flooding risk continues.
The Met Office has an ice warning in place for Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland until 10am today which tells of an ‘increased chance of injuries and accidents on icy pavements and cycle paths’.
Forecasters added that many areas will be affected by showers of rain, hail, sleet and snow, with clear spells in between leading to frost and icy surfaces – and further snow accumulations of up to 2.4in (6cm) in Scotland.
A car sits in the snow yesterday in Bedale, North Yorkshire, after coming off the road during the severe weather
A man walks carefully between the flooded Smithfield Road in Shrewsbury (left) and the River Severn (right) yesterday
The mercury dropped to -4.5C (23.9F) at the Cairnwell in the Highlands overnight, the Met Office said. Forecaster John Griffiths said: ‘A couple of places could be a bit colder in the next few hours, but only by a degree or so.’
Significant snowfalls were also recorded overnight, with Aviemore in Scotland recording 2.8in (7cm) and Northern Ireland’s Lough Fea getting 1.2in (3cm).
Higher areas in both countries and in northern England will continue to receive snow today, Mr Griffiths said. He warned snow and wintry showers would make it ‘a bit difficult for people’ on their morning commute.
The temperature in London was predicted to hover around 6C (43F) most of the day, while the South East experiences slightly warmer temperatures.
Higher regions will be colder, Mr Griffiths said, adding that the temperature would ‘obviously feel a lot colder with the strength of the wind later on’.
Showers are expected for much of the UK throughout today, along with gusts of 40mph to 50mph on the South West coast. Further inland, wind speeds are forecast to drop to 30mph to 40mph.
Two severe ‘danger to life’ flood warnings have been issued by the Environment Agency for the Shropshire towns of Shrewsbury and Ironbridge, along the River Severn.
A further 110 flood warnings – where flooding is expected – and 200 flood alerts – where flooding is possible – were in place across England today.
Large parts of Shrewsbury are already underwater, with most access roads closed after more than 400 tonnes of water per second rushed down the River Severn. But the situation is expected to get worse, with the river due to peak today amid further heavy rain.
The Environment Agency said heavy rain in the Welsh mountains was expected to continue over the next 48 hours, causing problems further down the River Severn.
It predicted a prolonged peak at Welshbridge in Shrewsbury of up to 5.5m (18ft) this evening, which would be higher than in 2000 when floods devastated the town. In Ironbridge, the Severn could go over the top of flood defences this morning, the local council warned.
Telford and Wrekin Council and West Mercia Police urged residents directly affected to get out of their homes and take up the council’s offer of accommodation.
The Met Office has issued an ice warning for Scotland and northern England today as rain hits many parts of the country
Two severe ‘danger to life’ flood warnings (in red) have been issued by the Environment Agency. A further 110 flood warnings (also red) – where flooding is expected – and 200 flood alerts (amber) – where flooding is possible – are in place across England
Further sleet and snow is expected in some areas today (left), and again tomorrow with rain also expected to fall (right)
Conditions on Thursday (left) and Friday (right) will again be wet, although temperatures will rise towards the weekend
Business owners in Shrewsbury criticised the local council and Environment Agency over a lack of help and information.
Mike Evans, of Evans Carpets, said he had been told that the council had run out of sandbags. ‘We’ve had nothing – no help or assistance whatsoever. We haven’t seen anyone from the council or the Environment Agency,’ he said.
Mark Davies, 59, who runs Darwin’s Townhouse B&B in Shrewsbury, said he had suffered thousands of pounds of damage and had been unable to obtain insurance.
Asked about the Prime Minister’s absence in the crisis, he said: ‘Boris Johnson should make some sort of nod to acknowledge all the devastation.’
No 10 yesterday defended Mr Johnson’s absence from flooded areas, saying it was important not to ‘distract’ attention from the relief effort, and that Environment Secretary George Eustice was ‘rightly’ leading the Government’s response.
But David Bickle, 57, whose ground-floor flat in Shrewsbury was under a foot of water last night, criticised the Prime Minister’s excuses, saying: ‘What relief effort? There is no one helping us for him to disturb.’ Shropshire Council insisted last night that it has not run out of sandbags.
A spokesman said: ‘Any residents or businesses requiring sandbags are asked to contact the council and we will supply them.’
In Scotland yesterday, many higher routes faced white-out conditions, especially the A68 at Carter Bar, Roxburghshire, the A82 at Altnafeadh, Inverness-shire, and higher stretches of the A9.
The snow gates were closed on the B974 at Glen Dye in Aberdeenshire. In West Lothian, experts spent the day examining the roof of Livingston’s court complex, where gale force gusts tore a sheet of metal from the roof.
B&B owner loses £40,000 after his business is flooded twice in a week after being told no one would insure him
By Miles Dilworth, Money Mail Reporter
Mark Davies, who runs Darwin’s Townhouse B&B in Shrewsbury
A B&B owner has spoken of his devastation over losing around £40,000 in damages and loss of takings after his business was flooded twice in a week.
In a bitter blow, Mark Davies, who runs Darwin’s Townhouse B&B in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, had been told he could no longer get insurance flood cover just 12 days before the River Severn burst its banks last Tuesday.
Mr Davies, 59, said his broker had spoken to several insurance providers before the floods hit – but not a single one was willing to insure his business against flood damage. He said it would be months before his B&B is fully operational again following further flooding yesterday.
‘It’s been a double whammy,’ he said. ‘No one is touching this any more. It’s a crying shame really when you think of some of the businesses around here and the losses that could kill them.’
The entire basement of his guesthouse has been flooded, wrecking stores of linen and food, while ten of the 20 rooms at his B&B have been put out of action.
When asked what his message to the Prime Minister would be, he said: ‘Come down and say hello.
‘I would throw down that gauntlet. What are you going to do? I have had to pay a phenomenal amount in tax and rates and yet I’m seeing very little in return.
‘My personal feeling on Boris Johnson is he should make some sort of nod to acknowledge all the devastation across the country that he is responsible for,’ he said.
Mr Davies had been told he could no longer get insurance flood cover just 12 days before the River Severn burst its banks last Tuesday