HeadLine: THE BAD NEWS.. RETURN OF THE FLOODS

The Mirror, 02/11/2000, p8
by SHAUN MILNE & HARRY ARNOLD

BRITAIN was braced for more floods today as experts said some areas
would get another inch of rain in just 24 hours.
The Environment Agency said damage across the country was the worst
since the great floods of 1947.
Chairman Sir John Harman warned: “The misery is set to continue.”
Weatherman Graeme Kelly said up to an inch of rain was likely to fall
last night in the already waterlogged south east, with Wales and
Yorkshire next to be hit as the front moves north.
Last night more than 20,000 residents in Folkestone, Kent, were asked
to conserve water after gales and heavy rain cut off electricity to
several key pumping stations.
In York 100 people were evacuated and more than 150 businesses
disrupted as the city was hit by its worst floods in 100 years. The
Ouse is 15ft above its normal level and the Army was called in to help
council staff distribute sandbags.
The basement of the Archbishop of York’s residence, Bishopthorpe
Palace, was flooded. The Rev Rob Marshall said: “The building is almost
completely surrounded. There is a lot of history – robes, papers and
artefacts – in there.”
The Severn was still rising at Shrewsbury, Wilts, where the town centre
was almost inaccessible, causing 200 people to be evacuated.
Ironbridge, Bridgnorth, Upton on Severn and Worcester were also hit.
Travellers face another day of road and rail chaos with many services
delayed or cancelled. Two lines were shut due to floods in the North
East.
Four nuns and a group of birdwatchers, including six children, spent
their 13th day on remote Bardsey Island, North Wales. Seas are too
stormy for a boat to dock. An airlift was called off.

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