UK weather chaos: Urgent evacuation warning issued as torrential downpours spark flooding
A man wades through floodwater at Cogenhoe Mill Holiday Park in Northamptonshire after the River Nene burst its banks
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Residents at a leisure park in Northamptonshire have been told to evacuate their homes following heavy flooding in the area.
Council teams are carrying out welfare checks on any vulnerable residents, and a fire service joint command unit has been deployed at the 235-acre Billing Aquadrome leisure park.
It is not the first time this year that the leisure park has been hit with heavy flooding as residents had to be evacuated back in January.
Cogenhoe Mill Holiday Park in Northampton was also severely impacted by flooding after the River Nene burst its banks.
A man wades through floodwater at Cogenhoe Mill Holiday Park in Northamptonshire after the River Nene burst its banks
PA
Cogenhoe Mill Holiday Park in Northamptonshire submerged by floodwater after the River Nene burst its banks
PA
Cogenhoe Mill Holiday Park in Northamptonshire submerged by floodwater
PA
A statement issued by West Northamptonshire Council said: "Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, and teams of professionals from West Northamptonshire Council are co-ordinating their response at the site, where they are in support of the aquadrome’s management who are putting their evacuation plan in place.
"Northamptonshire Search and Rescue is working with the Fire Service and ready to respond if needed."
One resident told the BBC last night: "No-one is allowed on [site], it's a waiting game."
Another local said he was put up in a hotel during the last flooding alert, but was unsure where he would spend the night this time. He said: "I would assume that some of them might be quite close to being under water again like it was at Christmas, it's not a good sign for some people."
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Holiday homes at the Billing Aquadrome in Northampton surrounded by water due to rising water caused by Storm Henk in January
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Northamptonshire Fire and rescue service rescue people from houseboats at the Billing Aquadrome in January
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A yellow warning for rain is in place for the whole of Thursday, covering an area from Nottinghamshire to Northumberland.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: "The rainfall from Monday has now cleared away to leave a drier interlude for many, whilst some residual rain moves southwards across parts of Scotland.
This drier spell will last until early Wednesday for most, before the next area of low pressure brings further rain later on Wednesday and into the latter part of the week.
“Further rain is likely for parts of England and Wales on Thursday. If and where this falls on saturated ground, the sensitivity to potential impacts is increased. At present, the heaviest rain looks like falling across east-facing hills of northern England, although there is some uncertainty in the regional focus."
A sinkhole on the pitch and flooded walkways at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, home of AFC Wimbledon
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A sinkhole on the pitch and flooded walkways
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A Carabao Cup match between AFC Wimbledon and Newcastle United at the Cherry Red Records Stadium had to be postponed after the pitch was hit with flooding and a sinkhole appeared in the pitch.
Images showed one corner of the pitch was particularly damaged by flooding of the River Wandle, with a misshapen surface more reminiscent of a golf course following heavy rainfall in the area.
Walkways running around the ground were also flooded, with the club confirming the stadium was closed “until further notice”.
A fan-initiated JustGiving fundraiser to help the supporter-owned club accelerate repairs has already raised thousands.
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