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The calm before the 'once in 50 years storm: Forecasters predict major flooding as huge low sweeps in from the Atlantic - Daily Mail
- Temperatures up to 10C below normal and sunshine down 60 per cent in worst June since records began
- Emergency services issue a 'major flood' alert in the South-West and Wales as Atlantic front sweeps in
- After a dry spell yesterday and today, downpours and gusts are set to return with a vengeance tonight
- Environment Agency issues two warnings where flooding was expected and 12 where possible today
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Britain is at risk of being lashed by a once in 50 years storm, forecasters warned today.
The Weather Channel said rivers would be overwhelmed and warned of a 'major flooding event' as Nasa released this satellite picture of a huge low sweeping in from the Atlantic.
Forecasters at the Met Office have already predicted 60mph hurricane-force winds will bring three months of rain over the next three days, making June the wettest since records began.
Flying high... while they can: Paragliders take advantage of break in the miserable weather over Beachy Head and Eastbourne in East Sussex today
Making the most of it: The paragliders may have to back up they chutes soon, though, as more downpours are sweeping their way across the UK today
Emergency services issued a flood alert in the South-West and Wales last night with eight inches of rain expected as a massive front of terrible weather sweeps in from the Atlantic.
Forecasters said England and Wales’ appalling June weather is officially the worst since records began more than 100 years ago. The countries are on course for the wettest ever June, temperatures are up to 10C below normal and sunshine is down 60 per cent.
After a dry period of respite for many parts of Britain yesterday and today, the wet weather will return this evening and get worse going into tomorrow as a slow-moving area of low pressure brings thundery showers and strong winds.
It's coming: NASA's Terra satellite took this stunning image of today's 70mph Atlantic storm at 12.45pm as it span towards the South-West
Weather Channel forecaster Leon Brown said: 'There’s a 50 per cent possibility of extreme downpours seeing over 80mm of rain in 12 hours in south and east Wales, which is a once-in-50 years event.
'The greatest intensity of rain will be early Thursday night and again on Friday daytime. Overall, up to 110mm is expected in Wales in just over 48 hours to midnight Saturday.
With yet more rain and stormy weather forecast, Freya Kirkpatrick , 4, takes a last chance to play in the sunshine with her dog, Monty, in a giant field of ox eye daisies on the edge of Blithfield Reservoir near Rugeley, Staffordshire
'This rainfall will be widespread across river catchment areas and could completely overwhelm rivers downstream. There is a high risk of flooding, with situation made even worse by ground being saturated from previous rain this week.'
MeteoGroup forecaster Julian Mayes said: 'We cannot find a period of June weather worse than this month since records began. For a 12-day period, it’s as bad as it can be.
'There’s no parallel with this month’s combination of very high rainfall, very low sunshine and very low daytime temperatures.
'The outlook is unsettled and although we don’t yet know for sure if it will be the wettest June, it’s well on the way.'
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said its 650 firefighters and 100 support staff were ready to take flood action.
A spokesperson said: 'Ourselves, the police and county council are monitoring the weather forecast and will take appropriate action when needed. We have vast experience dealing with flooding, in particular floods which devastated Cornwall in November 2010.'
Calm before the storm: The sky above the Queens tennis club on day three of the AEGON Championships in London hint at what is to come later today
Enjoy it while it lasts: For much of today, however, the sun has been trying to come out, but the reprieve will only be temporary, forecasters warn
When 80mm of rain fell in 24 hours in west Wales last Friday, 150 people were rescued and 850 relocated as 5ft floods swept through caravan parks and villages.
Government forecasters predicted 15-20mm of rain today, plus 70-100mm over higher ground in 48 hours from midnight, with 30-50mm on lower ground.
The Weather Channel forecast more than 100mm on higher ground and warned of a 'major flooding event.' Rivers running off higher ground will fill rapidly.
The Met Office forecast wind gusts to hit a gale-force of 55mph-60mph on coasts in the South-West tomorrow.
Other parts of the UK will escape the worst of the conditions, with up to an inch of rain across tomorrow and Saturday, with 35-40mph gusts, the Met Office said.
Who says the weather's bad? Two girls from Oregon in the U.S. enjoy ice creams on one of the bridges that straddle the village of Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire
Sunshine after the rain: A young lady takes advantage of the weather in a deckchair in St James's Park, London, today before the downpours sweep in
Gusts on the horizon: The flags in Parliament Square, London, have been blowing more vigorously today, indicating that the expected high winds of up to 60mph could soon be upon us
Temperatures have been miserable for many. Forest Row, E Sussex, only reached 10.7C on Tuesday, almost 10C below normal for June.
Sunshine is down 60 per cent so far this month, with England and Wales averaging just 30 hours’ sunshine. June normally sees 178 hours’ sunshine.
Although there have been heavy showers in parts of the South West, Wales and the North West, parts of the country which were on flood alert after days of heavy rain were given breathing space yesterday with clear skies in the South East and London.
The break in the weather came as three of the UK’s biggest water companies announced they would lift hosepipe bans, imposed to deal with drought, following weeks of heavy rain.
Thames Water, Anglian Water and Southern Water were to remove the restrictions in place since early April from today.
Seven water companies across southern and eastern England brought in hosepipe bans after two unusually dry winters left some groundwater supplies and rivers as low as in the drought year of 1976.
The Environment Agency had urged people in Devon, Cornwall, west Somerset, North Wales and parts of the Midlands to remain prepared for the possibility of floods as the Met Office issued a weather warning for heavy rain.
At one point yesterday the EA had five flood warnings in place for rivers where flooding was expected, and 21 less serious flood alerts.
There were also 17 flood alerts, mainly in East Anglia and the South East.
Underwater: The ford near Charvil, Berkshire, which flooded to a depth of 6ft after heavy rain hit parts of the UK. Temperatures are up to 10C below normal and sunshine is down 60 per cent
AT A GLANCE: WHAT'S IN STORE FOR REST OF THE WEEK
TONIGHT: Much of the UK will see heavy rain spreading north with some torrential downpours expected.
Wales and south-west England will have clear spells developing during the early hours, but with heavy and thundery showers too.
The far north of Scotland will remain dry overnight with clear spells, but turning cloudy towards morning.
TOMORROW: There will be a band of heavy rain across northern
England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland at first, which will move
north into much of northern Scotland through the day. The rest of England and Wales will have sunny spells and heavy and frequent showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY: A rather cloudy day with the best of any sunshine in the south-east. There will be widespread heavy showers or longer spells of rain across much of the UK with the risk of
thunder, particularly across northern England, Wales and south-west
England. Windy across southern England with gusts reaching up to 50mph.
SUNDAY: There will be variable cloud and scattered showers, but the
showers will be lighter and less frequent than the showers on Saturday.
Today, that had been downgraded to two warnings where flooding was expected and 12 where it was possible over the next 12 hours.
Sussex Police, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and council officers said they evacuated people from flooded homes in the village of Elmer, near Bognor Regis, after reports of flooding of up to 6ft in some homes.
Inflatable boats were used to reach 250 vulnerable homes, knocking on doors and searching properties to make sure people were safe and received the help they needed, a Sussex Police spokeswoman said.
MeteoGroup said that the highest rainfall had been at Culdrose in Cornwall, where 16mm fell, with 13mm in Nantwich, Cheshire.
Forecaster Tom Tobler said the bad weather at the end of the week could bring strong winds but not as strong as those experienced last week.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: 'We’re asking people in Devon, Cornwall, West Somerset, north Wales and parts of the Midlands to remain vigilant and prepared for flooding.
'We urge caravan and camping site operators across the South-West to be ready to take action should flooding occur.
'Heavy rain has left many areas more vulnerable to flooding. We advise the public stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through floodwater.
'We’re speaking to councils and emergency services and sharing severe weather alerts.'
The Met Office said: 'The UK has seen exceptionally wet weather and there’s more rain to come.
'A spell of wet and windy weather with persistent heavy rain will affect parts of the South-West and Wales from late Thursday through Friday and Saturday.
'It looks like Friday and Saturday will see 10-20mm of rain quite widely, with an additional 20-30mm across the South-West and Wales and 60-80mm over higher ground the South-West and south Wales.
'The public advised to take extra care and should be aware of the risk of localised flooding.'
Weather Channel forecaster Leon Brown said: 'We are very likely to see a repeat of the major flooding events that happened in Wales and Sussex in the last week.
'Higher hills are forecast to see over 100mm, with local flash flooding is likely anywhere in Wales and across much of England on Saturday with 20-30mm of rain possible in a few hours.
'There’s a risk of trees being blown down on Friday, and Channel ferry crossings will be very rough.'
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Kings ease to Watford Town victory (From Watford Observer) - Watford Observer
Kings Langley claim emphatic win over Watford Town in Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League Division Two
6:10pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in Sport
Division Two
Kings Langley thrashed neighbours Watford Town by 178 runs on Saturday.
Batting first, Kings posted 206 all out with Mitch Roberts, returning from injury, scoring 80. Other notable knocks were from Joe Cooke (40) and Tom Sambrook (30). Naseer Ahmed (six for 59) was the pick of the home bowlers.
In reply, Watford struggled to come to terms with the drying pitch and accurate bowling of Rob Clark (seven for 16 off ten overs) and Mark Brazier (three for 12) and they were skittled out for a woeful 28 in 20 overs. The win moves Kings into third place.
Abbots Langley suffered a five-wicket defeat at St Margaretsbury.
The visitors lost the toss and were put into bat on a soggy pitch.
Openers Barry Warner and Smith battled their way to 54 without loss before the wheels fell off. Abbots slipped to 93 for four and it got worse as they were dismissed for a disappointing 103.
After the openers had no luck, Parth Mehta (three for 50) and Dhaval Narotam (two for 23) got Abbots in the hunt and, at 77 for five St Margaretsbury were in trouble. But their lower order found their form and recovered to claim the win.
For the third week running, Chipperfield Clarendon were left to rue a middle-order batting collapse as they fell to a one-wicket defeat against Welwyn Garden City Seconds.
Chipperfield were inserted on a wet wicket but batted well to reach 80 for two thanks in part to useful knocks from Ian Grout (38) and Freddie Hampson (23).
However, the collapse saw them all out for 114, with the unenviable task of having to bowl on the drying wicket.
Victory looked a certainty though, when the impressive Matt McDonald (four for 20) and Matt Petchell (four for 26) left Welwyn reeling at 68 for nine.
But the last-wicket partnership proved stubborn and a few dropped catches saw Welwyn close on 115 for nine.
Brad Klosterman was the star of the show as his seven-wicket haul helped Leverstock Green to a 14-run victory over Holtwhites Trinibis.
Green batted first and posted 125 for eight from their 53 overs, with Mark Craft top-scoring on 24 not out.
Holtwhites looked well in control in their reply after reaching 67 for one but the arrival of Klosterman saw the game swing back in Green’s favour.
He returned seven for 41 and with Luke Roberts taking two for 18, the last nine wickets fell for just 44 runs to hand Green what had looked an unlikely victory.
Hemel Hempstead Town Seconds were unable to post a significant target as visitors Reed returned home with a seven-wicket success.
Hemel were inserted and got off to a positive start in putting on 88 for the first wicket thanks to the efforts of Neil Morgan (55) and Giles Berry (43).
This was not a sign of things to come however, as Hemel finished on 144 for nine, with only Tom Elborn (11) and Faisal Iqbal (11 not out) reaching double figures after the opening pair.
Reed made light work of their chase, reaching 145 for the loss of just three wickets.
Jack Doodson picked up two for 19, while Iqbal claimed the other wicket at the expense of 24.
Division Three
Met Police Bushey battled to a 36-run victory over Hertingfordbury.
The Met were asked to bat in tricky conditions and at 54 for five, looked like they would struggle to put a competitive score on the board. But the middle-order partnership of Simon Hamilton (52) and Sam Mazurek (28) pushed the total up to 146 all out. Met Police were taking wickets and didn't look like being troubled until a sixth-wicket partnership put a few runs on, only to be ended by a flying one-handed catch from youngster Alex Forsey.
Aussie Rhys Owen (five for 18) wrapped things up with his fifth wicket of the match as Hertingfordbury were bowled out for 110.
Division Four
Langleybury Seconds picked up their first win of the campaign as they emerged the victors in a low-scoring contest with Northwood Town.
Bury skipper Matt Fry elected to bat on the wet wicket but his side found themselves struggling at 22 for five.
Raahil Druva was the only member of the order to show any composure as his 35 helped them to 95 all out, with Richard Doling taking five for 36 and David Bushnell returning three for 20.
The Bury attack were in fine form from the off and had Town reduced to 13 for six after 11 overs.
Craig Newman (23) offered some respectability but Rishil Druva’s eight for 31 led the way and with Eddie Gunning taking two for 19, Town were all out for 53 – the second time they have failed to chase a score of less than 100 this season.
Bushey scraped to an 11-run win over Watton-at-Stone.
Watton won the toss and elected to put Bushey into bat on a very wet wicket.
Bushey started brightly through Nomaan Ilyas and Chandan Sharma, but the latter was caught out on 21, playing an uncharacteristic shot in the air to long-on.
Naseer Nawaz fell for 43, having played a very hard-fought innings on a difficult pitch. Qamar Shahzad and Arshad Zarin put on 20 quick runs towards the end before the last few wickets fell very cheaply as their side ended on a disappointing 115 all out.
Farooq Hameed started off with the old ball and bowled superbly again, with a very good shout for caught behind turned down in the first over.
Watton duly dug in for 20 overs, scoring only 20 runs, although they did lose another wicket.
Bushey then began to take wickets regularly, putting lots of pressure on their opponents and leading to the contest becoming very close indeed with only 20 runs needed and one wicket in hand.
However, Bushey claimed the final scalp with 15 still required to climb to fourth in the table, as Hameed finished with three wickets and Shahzad four.
Chipperfield Clarendon Seconds slumped to a six-wicket defeat at St Albans Seconds.
Mick Garrini (22) and Nigel Cousens (17) got Chipperfield to 35 for one. Jon Paddon rode his luck with a number of dropped catches en route to the highest score of 35. Thomas Carson also had a number of lives getting to 23 and Steve Durrant chipped in with 22 as they were dismissed for 146.
St Albans reached 42 for one and it was only when Cousens came on to bowl that the side started to strangle the batters.
Cousens picked up a couple of wickets as St Albans slipped to 62 for four. But a couple of dropped catches did not help their cause and the pitch eased, allowing their opponents to comfortably reach the required target.
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Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
The Battle of Britain's beaches – Skegness depicts Brighton and Blackpool as graffiti covered eyesores - Daily Telegraph
But it so offended residents, that the local newspapers refused to run the ads and officials and businesses joined together to criticise the "dirty tricks" campaign.
The adverts were paid for by East Lindsey District Council which described them as “friendly rivalry”, but the move has not gone down well in either Lancashire or Sussex.
James Gilbert, ELDC’s communications team leader, who commissioned the idea, denied they were trying to "upset anyone".
“These adverts are highlighting alternative views, we hope to entice people into having a look at what Skegness has to offer," he said.
“Obviously, Brighton and Blackpool attract more visitors than Skegness and we are not seeking to insult anyone who lives there or visits there.
"We are not trying to upset anyone, it's a bit of friendly rivalry."
He said that the ads were designed to challenge the perception of Skegness affectionately known as the “The Costa del Skeg”, and promote it as “England’s cultural coast” where “great art and coast come together”.
But the provocative campaign was met with amusement and anger by Blackpool and Brighton residents and officials
Claire Smith, from the guesthouse and hoteliers association Stay Blackpool, said it was a "dirty tricks" campaign.
"Skegness is a lovely little place and this campaign isn't drawing me in, in fact it's making me think about Blackpool and Brighton," she said.
"It is difficult times. Blackpool has an abundance of stuff going on all summer as well, as I am sure Brighton has, but I don't think this campaign is the way to attract visitors."
A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “It’s slightly hard to tell what they’re getting at.
“As Brighton is widely known as a successful, buzzing, cultural place, with England’s biggest arts festival, claiming to be dissimilar is a strange strategy."
Former city council leader Mary Mears said: “There’s a big difference between the two.
“Those people that visit Skegness maybe would not want to go again whereas we get lots of repeat customers in Brighton and Hove.”
Comments on the local Skegness Standard's Facebook page were also unfavourable.
“Those in glass houses, shouldn’t throw stones,” wrote Julie Drayton.
Blackpool attracts about 13 million visitors each year while more than eight million people flock to Brighton annually.
Brighton Council also claim that the campaign has further backfired as the SO Festival uses an attractive picture advertising the event – taken in Brighton.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
League Cup: Fleetwood Town v Nottingham Forest in first round - BBC News
Newly-promoted Fleetwood Town have been handed a first-round clash with four-time winners Nottingham Forest in the League Cup.
The Cod Army will play in the Football League for the first time in their history after promotion last season .
Ties are scheduled to be played in the week beginning 13 August.
Most League Cup wins
- 8 - Liverpool
- 5 - Aston Villa
- 4 - Chelsea, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur
- 3 - Leicester City
- 2 - Arsenal, Birmingham City, Manchester City, Norwich, Wolves
- 1 - Blackburn, Leeds, Luton Town, Middlesbrough, Oxford United, QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke City, Swindon Town, West Brom
The competition, won by Liverpool last season, has been rebranded the Capital One Cup after the League agreed a new four-year sponsorship deal.
It had been sponsored by brewers Molson Coors since 1998 and branded as the Carling Cup since 2003.
Fleetwood chief executive Steve Curwood told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It doesn't get much better than that in our first fixture as a Football League club.
"There are three or four clubs you might have picked and Forest are definitely one of those. We're pinching ourselves again. The journey continues."
The draw also sees relegated Premier League side Wolves hosting League Two's Aldershot Town and a Lancashire derby between Blackpool and Morecambe.
All Championship sides are in the draw - bar Bolton and Blackburn who enter in the second round after being relegated from the top flight - as League One side Bury host Middlesbrough and Leeds welcome Shrewsbury Town to Elland Road.
Premier League clubs will enter the competition in the second round except for the seven teams that have qualified for Europe, including 2012 winners Liverpool .
Barnet will travel to 2011 winners Birmingham City, while Championship side Watford host League Two's Wycombe and Barnsley manager Keith Hill gets a trip back to his former club Rochdale.
While the competition is set to begin in the week commencing 13 August, the Football League will consider requests to play on Saturday 11 or Sunday 12 should clubs mutually agree.
The full draw:
Derby County v Scunthorpe United
Rochdale v Barnsley
Port Vale v Burnley
Notts County v Bradford City
Hull City v Rotherham United
Fleetwood Town v Nottingham Forest
Carlisle United v Accrington Stanley
Doncaster Rovers v York City
Crewe Alexandra v Hartlepool United
Bury v Middlesbrough
Chesterfield v Tranmere Rovers
Sheffield United v Burton Albion
Blackpool v Morecambe
Leeds United v Shrewsbury Town
Preston North End v Huddersfield Town
Oldham Athletic v Sheffield Wednesday
Cheltenham Town v Milton Keynes Dons
Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers
Stevenage v AFC Wimbledon
Exeter City v Crystal Palace
Yeovil Town v Colchester United
Birmingham City v Barnet
Bristol City v Gillingham
Northampton Town v Cardiff City
Plymouth Argyle v Portsmouth
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Aldershot Town
Walsall v Brentford
Millwall v Crawley Town
Torquay United v Leicester City
Dagenham & Redbridge v Coventry City
Peterborough United v Southend United
Swindon Town v Brighton & Hove Albion
Watford v Wycombe Wanderers
Charlton Athletic v Leyton Orient
Oxford United v AFC Bournemouth
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Yet another DM the sky is falling weather story!
- CWG, Brampton, Ontario, Canada, 14/6/2012 18:37
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