UK weather: Storm Franklin makes landfall as flooding forces hundreds to evacuate homes

Hundreds forced to evacuate homes in Yorkshire and Manchester as rare ‘danger to life’ flood warnings issued

Flooding has forced people to evacuate their homes in parts of the UK as Storm Franklin makes landfall.

Residents in parts of Yorkshire and Manchester were forced to leave their homes for safety on Sunday over fears swollen rivers could burst their banks.

The Environment Agency took the rare step of issuing two severe flood warnings in Didsbury and Northenden in Greater Manchester, meaning there is a risk of “danger to life”.

It comes as the third named storm in less than a week is expected to batter the nation overnight into Monday.

Franklin will come just days after Storm Eunice left four people dead in the UK and Ireland and 1.4 million homes without power – with 55,800 still to be reconnected.

York was hit by heavy snow, floods, and damage caused by Storm Eunice (PA)

The Met Office has issued two weather warnings for Sunday evening and Monday morning.

Northern Ireland, which is likely to bear the brunt of the storm, is covered by an amber wind warning from midnight until 7am on Monday.

Forecasters have warned strong winds could cause “travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property”.

Milder yellow warnings for wind cover England, Wales and the southwestern edge of Scotland until 1pm on Monday.

A total of 154 flood warnings were in place across England, predominantly in the north, on Sunday evening.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spent Sunday rescuing people from their homes, with a tweet showing crews in Knaresborough carrying a resident and dog to safety.

People living in 430 homes in south Manchester were also urged to leave as the River Mersey reached high levels.

Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said this is the first time the national forecaster has recorded three major storms in such quick succession since the naming system was introduced seven years ago.

Part of a flat roof was blown off and landed on a house in Bitterne, Southampton (PA)

While ITV Weather presenter Becky Mantin suggested Storm Gladys could arrive hot on its heels on Thursday if windy conditions later in the week end up becoming a named storm.

Inland areas in Northern Ireland, particularly in the north and northwest, could be hit by winds up to 70 mph – and up to 80 mph on the coast during Storm Franklin.

The Met Office warned flying debris will pose a risk to life or injury, destruction to buildings and cars, and trees being uprooted.

Travel is likely to be disrupted or cancelled, and some bridges and roads are also likely to close, according to the forecasters.

The Met Office added: “There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.

“Injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties.”

Additional reporting by Press Association