Storm Dennis: One dead and four major incidents declared amid severe flooding

Follow the day’s developments as they happened

Sheep is freed from brambles after taking shelter in Wales during Storm Dennis

The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for Wales as Storm Dennis unleashed torrential rain over the UK.

One man died after being pulled from the River Tawe near Swansea but police said it was not related to the weather.

The Environment Agency said that a record number of flood alerts were in force on Sunday, including severe warnings for the River Teme in mid Wales.

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Key Points

• Rare red weather warning in place for south Wales
• Environment Agency issues more flood alerts and warnings 'than any other day on record'
• Major incidents declared in South Wales, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire
• Environment Agency warns flooding 'to continue'

[16 February 2020 16:30 · Tom Barnes]

Residents and their pets in Nantgarw were evacuated from their flooded homes by boat earlier today.

Severe flooding hit south Wales hard on Sunday, submerging streets and cars, and forcing people upstairs in their own homes.

[16 February 2020 16:45 · Tom Barnes]

Aerial photographs over the Welsh village of Crickhowell show the extent of severe flooding after the River Usk burst its banks, cutting the village off.

Crickhowell was among the worst-affected area in south Wales, which has declared a major incident amid Storm Dennis.

An aerial view of the Welsh village of Crickhowell which has been cut off as the river Usk bursts its banks at Crickhowell bridge near the Bridge End Inn (Getty)

(Getty)

[16 February 2020 16:50 · Tom Barnes]

A student nurse and her partner spent their Sunday rescuing scared sheep who had become stuck to brambles after seeking shelter from Storm Dennis.

Bex, from Llandudno in north Wales, was filmed by her partner cutting away a sheep who sought refuge near a hedge and had its wool caught in brambles.

Bex told the Independent they rescued two sheep, but only got footage of one. Her partner said: "The superb Bex doesn't just nurse people."

They added: "[The sheep] have to be cut out, the wool is so thick this time of year it's a half-hour job per sheep."

[16 February 2020 16:55 · Tom Barnes]

Clean-ups have begun in Pontypridd, Wales, and Newcastleton, Scotland, in the wake of Storm Dennis.

Residents in the town of Newcastleton, where over 80 homes were flooded and 12 streets submerged underwater, have started throwing out sodden belongings.

Members of the public start the clean up following yesterdays flooding from storm Dennis (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)In Pontypridd, shop owners and employees are hard at work clearing debris and mud from their stores, as well as sorting through damaged goods.

An employee cleans a nail salon on Market street in Pontypridd (PA)

An employee cleans a poundland shop in Pontypridd (PA) 

A shop worker in Pontypridd shows phones damaged by flood waters (PA)

[16 February 2020 17:00 · Tom Barnes]

Over 1,600 homes across London, south and east of England are affected by power cuts as Storm Dennis rages on.

UK Power Networks said: "We're aware of power cuts in the South of England today, and our engineers are working tirelessly to restore power as quickly and safely as possible."

A live map of all power cuts in these areas can be seen here.

[16 February 2020 17:12 · Peter Stubley]

As Storm Dennis begins to clear the UK, here's how it left the seafront near Brighton.

[16 February 2020 17:19 · Peter Stubley]

The death of a man whose body was pulled from the River Tawe in Wales this morning is not linked to Storm Dennis, according to police.

Officers have appealed for witnesses after the man in his 60s was seen entering the water near Gorsedd Park in Ystradgynlais at 10am.

"He was rescued from the water near Trebanos Rugby Club, but despite the best efforts of paramedics, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene," a spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police said.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious, nor linked to the adverse weather."

[16 February 2020 17:33 · Peter Stubley]

Four severe "danger to life" flood warnings remain in force for the parts of Shropshire and Worcestershire, where residents had to be evacuated by boat after the River Teme burst its banks.

Firefighters rescue residents in Lindridge, Worcestershire (AFP)

A submerged street in Tenbury Wells, WorcsFlood 

Floodwater laps against gravestones in Tenbury Wells (AFP)

[16 February 2020 17:41 · Peter Stubley]

In total there are currently 618 flood warnings and alerts across England.

That beats the record of 594 which was set earlier today. 

There are another 106 in Wales (including two severe warnings) and 33 in Scotland.

[16 February 2020 17:48 · Peter Stubley]

The risk of flooding will continue until Wednesday next week, according to the Environment Agency's five-day forecast.

"River flooding may continue into the middle of the week on larger, slower responding rivers such as the Yorkshire Ouse, River Severn, River Avon (Gloucestershire), River Dee and Thames," it warns.

The risk map below shows that the north east is likely to be the most affected by continued flooding.

(Environment Agency)

"Storm Dennis is bringing heavy and persistent rain to much of England and Wales," the forecast reads.

"Widespread river and surface water flooding is occurring and will continue in parts of south Wales today. Conditions are dangerous to life with communities being affected as well as disruption to travel and essential services. Local flooding is probable across other parts of Wales and many parts of England today as well.

"Properties could flood and there could be travel disruption in these areas too. Local coastal flooding is possible along south and west coastlines of both England and Wales today. Land, roads and some properties may flood and there may be travel disruption."