Map shows where 300 flood warnings and alerts are in place across nation
Motorists have been urged to use alternative routes amid warnings the flood water could be deadly.
Some 300 flood warnings and alerts are in place across England this morning as rising water left people trapped in their cars and hundreds of homes at risk.
Storm Henk unleashed devastation last week with deluges of rain leaving streets swamped and whole towns cut off.
The Environment Agency (EA) warned that 1,800 homes have already flooded by prolonged, intense downpours, with the number expected to increase as river levels swell.
A total of 150 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 151 alerts, meaning flooding is possible, remained in place across northern England down to the south coast this morning.
A live flood map, which can be viewed here, shows the areas affected.
One couple woke up today to find their garden in Maidenhead, Berkshire, had turned into a swimming pool after being submerged – forcing them to use paddleboards to get around.
Five people had to be rescued after getting stuck in Essex – as motorists were warned driving through flood water could be deadly.
Two were stranded in a Land Rover in Hatfield Peverel just after 3pm yesterday.
Another three were trapped Theydon Bois around 4.40pm.
Specially trained water rescue firefighters were deployed to bring all five people to dry land safely.
Station manager, John Warmann, urged drivers to find alternative routes if their journey is affected by flooding.
‘If you drive through flood water, you’ll risk… your life, our lives when we come to rescue you and your vehicle could be severely damaged,’ he warned.
‘Lots of car insurers won’t actually pay out if you intentionally drive through flood water,’ he added.
Footage captured 11 cars attempting and failing to drive through flood water on the A443 close to Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire.
And the miserable conditions have been compounded by the arrival of bitterly cold temperatures, as Scandinavia’s ‘freeze of the century’ moves in.
The mercury nosedived to -7C in Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands, with the Met Office issuing yellow warnings for ice in Northern Ireland and parts of southeast England until 10am this morning.
The cold snap is forecast to last until at least Friday this week, with the capital expected to get its first snow of the year today.
Follow our snow live blog for the latest updates.
Temperatures are not likely to rise above 3C and will plunge to 1C – however it will feel more like -3C for most of today, the Met Office warned.
However dozens of flood warnings have been removed in the past 24 hours, according to the EA website.
Just days earlier, there were more than 600 warnings and alerts across the UK, with Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Staffordshire and Suffolk among the worst affected areas.
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