Police urge 1,300 families to flee homes immediately in Bedfordshire due to flood risk as UK braces for Storm Bella

FAMILIES were "strongly" urged by cops to leave their homes immediately on Christmas Day due to a risk of flooding.

More than 1,300 families living near the River Great Ouse in North Bedfordshire were told to find alternative accommodation or evacuate to local emergency centres.

Nine people and three dogs were rescued from a flood-hit property in Harrold, Bedfordshire yesterday - as emergency centres were set up at nearby village halls.

The fire service said it had "crews on the ground trying to divert water" - but the volume of water made situation "very, very difficult".

In Bedford, benches, bus stops and parking meters are barely above the brown fast-flowing current in pictures of the sodden town.

Paul Fuller, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue, told BBC Breakfast today: "People have had a terrible time.

"We've had all the measures in place to protect people from the spread of the virus.

"It was Christmas Day yesterday, Boxing Day today, our hearts just go out to people that have now - with all that going on - had some of the highest levels of floods for over 20 years

"It's just a dreadful situation.

";We are advising people in the affected areas to evacuate, and three evacuation centres, or rest centres, have been set up."

'REALLY SERIOUS SITUATION'

Bedfordshire Police said the request for evacuation "overrides" any Covid regulations currently in place.

Superintendent Steve Ashdown said: "This is a really serious situation and we need people to take action in order to keep themselves safe."

Bedford Borough Council warned of “significant levels of floodwater expected to impact Bedford and other parts of the borough".

But this morning, they wrote: "We have been advised by Environment Agency that the peak of the high water moving down the Great Ouse has now passed through Bedford and Kempston."

It comes as the Met Office warned that Storm Bella will bring severe 80mph gales and heavy rain today.

Bedford council set up Covid-safe emergency centres at Bedford International Athletic Stadium and Bromham Village Hall in Bromham.

These have been prepared for those told to evacuate due to flooding - but do not have another location to go to at this time.

“If you have been contacted and advised to leave your home due to the threat of flooding, and you can do so safely, emergency services and the local authority are strongly encouraging you to do so,” the council said last night.

Because of the flood threat, residents ordered to evacuate by officials "are permitted to go to other people’s homes, despite the Tier Four Covid-19 regulations currently in place," the council said.

Before evacuating, be sure to turn off gas, water and electricity and move any valuables upstairs, it added.

Only take what you need such as medication and any insurance documents.

Supt Steve Ashdown, who is leading the response, said officers visited more than 1,300 homes in the area to order their evacuation.

He said: "A number of serious flood warnings are now in place across the north of the county where we are expecting flooding, including some for serious flooding which has the potential to endanger life.

“We contacted 1,309 properties along the river and suggested they evacuate, and we would strongly reiterate this advice again based on the latest information.

“River levels are extremely high and we are expecting this to have a significant impact across Bedford Borough over the next 24 hours.

“The fact this is happening on Christmas Day makes the situation even worse, especially after the disruption so many of us have had to our plans already, and I really do sympathise with people."

He asked residents able to leave their homes to do so in a "Covid-safe way" if possible, recommending they go to one single location and stay there until it is safe to return in the coming days.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “The Environment Agency are expecting this to be the highest level of flooding seen in Bedford Borough in a number of years.

"Working with partners we are strongly encouraging people who are at risk of flooding and have been contacted to leave if they can do so safely.

“If your property is at risk of flooding and there is threat to life, please call 999 and ask for Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue.

“If you need assistance, there is support and advice available via the council’s floodline on 01234 718007.

“For this to strike over the Christmas period is really hard, especially after the changes to plans that so many of us have already had to adjust to.

"But this is a very serious situation - if you can and you’ve been advised to, please take action to keep yourselves and your families safe.”

Writing on Twitter today, he said: ";We have had confirmation that the flood waters peaked in central Bedford around 2.00am and are now receding.

"High water is currently at Cardington and still has to go through Great Barford which the Environment Agency are estimating will take place around 2.15pm today."

The action comes one day after Beds Fire and Rescue shared video of water gushing along roads, with the service tweeting: “We’ve been dealing with floods across Bedfordshire through the night which has largely hit north of Bedford."

"Oncoming vehicles remember, please don’t drive through floods."

The service advised those worried about flooding near their properties to "prepare by moving valuables upstairs, including important medicines and documents.

"Turn off utilities (water, gas, electric) and use sandbags/fill pillowcases with mud to block doors/windows."

Charity Midshires Search and Rescue tweeted that its team is "currently on standby" to help emergency and council services "with the current flooding alert.

"Some specialist resources have already deployed as liaison."

After attending flooding in Riseley, Beds, where the high street was swamped, the team warned: "Please be water aware and stay away from flood water.

"It's fast-moving, hides serious dangers and poses a real risk to life if not treated correctly."

Beds and Cambs 4X4 Response said on Facebook that its team is "currently deployed in Bedford to assist with logistics with regard to ongoing floods."

Ultimate Sports Radio Network commentator Matt White tweeted that while "by the river this afternoon in [Bedford], it was moving mighty quickly - stay safe everyone."

Two severe flood - 'danger to life' - warnings were issued earlier by the EA for Bedfordshire, covering the Cogenhoe Mill caravan site and River Nene at Billing Aquadrome, plus nearby business parks.

Across England, a total of 70 flood warnings and 99 flood alerts, as well as the three severe flood warnings are in place on Boxing Day.

STORM BELLA TO SMASH UK

Storm Bella is set to hit the UK today, bringing a "danger to life."

Severe flooding in Norfolk and Suffolk has already ruined Christmas for families who were forced to evacuate their homes with their unopened presents.

Dramatic footage showed an elderly couple being rescued from a submerged car after being trapped underwater for two hours.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said it had received more than 300 calls about flooding since Wednesday afternoon.

Some areas received a month of rainfall in 24 hours.

The rivers Severn and Avon rose and burst their banks, causing danger-to-life flooding across western and southern parts of the country.

Emergency services worked through the night to rescue more than 1,000 people from the flooding at Billing Aquadrome holiday park in Northamptonshire.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had handled more than 250 flood calls, with several properties affected and multiple people rescued from stranded vehicles.

It comes as Britain had its first White Christmas in three years as snow fell in Suffolk and Humberside in the early hours of the morning.