UK flooding: Dozens spend night in Sheffield Meadowhall shopping centre By Francesca Gillett BBC News Dozens of people have spent the night in a shopping centre in Sheffield after torrential downpours flooded the city's streets. People bedded down on benches and chairs in the Meadowhall centre, while others tried throughout the night to get home in cars or taxis. A major incident was declared in Sheffield as rain continued overnight. Elsewhere, in Rotherham firefighters rescued people by boat who were stranded in the Parkgate centre. People are being told to evacuate their homes in the villages of Old Kirk Sandall and Sandal Grove near Doncaster after the River Don burst its banks. There are three severe flood warnings - meaning a danger to life - in place along the River Don. More than 100 flood warnings remain in place, mostly in the north of England, with the rain causing serious disruption to roads and rail services. The Environment Agency said a number of high volume pumps were being used to move water away from homes in Catcliffe in Rotherham. Sheffield City Council said several major roads from Derbyshire to Sheffield remained closed. Earlier on Thursday, 35 homes in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, were evacuated after a mudslide caused by torrential rain.'Tired and stressed' In Sheffield, hundreds of people - including those attending the Christmas Live event, which was cancelled - were kept inside Meadowhall centre by police after the surrounding streets were flooded. The centre later reopened but many people chose to stay overnight, after being unable to get home. Disney Store worker Jodie Whelan, 23, stayed at the centre, where she said staff were handing out free drinks and trying to arrange taxis. She said she travelled in for her shift by bus but said getting back was "an absolute no-go". "I'm feeling very tired," she added. "A bit fed up but trying to make the best out of an awful situation. The atmosphere is very weird but communal. "Some people got a bit rowdy and it was upsetting seeing some older people and people with babies or children, but thankfully we are all warm and safe." Another member of staff, Luke Turner, who works at a restaurant, said he was unable to drive home after his shift so bedded down in the stockroom where he said he could use "aprons" as a pillow. "I've got options, I could have got a taxi home but that still leaves me having to get a taxi back to work tomorrow," Mr Turner, from Chesterfield, said. "I had an offer from my higher management that if I could get a hotel room for the night... but unfortunately all the hotel rooms around me are full." "There's people in suits sleeping, one guy in a Tesco uniform," he added. Meanwhile Charlotte Lowther-Fuller, 18, from Grimsby said she was unable to get to a taxi as the roads and junction were cordoned off. "It was impossible for him to get us," she said, adding: "I am feeling quite tired, drained and cold from the whole situation and just want to get hom
Dozens sleep at shopping centre amid floods
UK flooding: Dozens spend night in Sheffield Meadowhall shopping centre By Francesca Gillett BBC News Dozens of people have spent the night in a shopping centre in Sheffield after torrential downpours flooded the city's streets. People bedded down on benches and chairs in the Meadowhall centre, while others tried throughout the night to get home in cars or taxis. A major incident was declared in Sheffield as rain continued overnight. Elsewhere, in Rotherham firefighters rescued people by boat who were stranded in the Parkgate centre. People are being told to evacuate their homes in the villages of Old Kirk Sandall and Sandal Grove near Doncaster after the River Don burst its banks. There are three severe flood warnings - meaning a danger to life - in place along the River Don. More than 100 flood warnings remain in place, mostly in the north of England, with the rain causing serious disruption to roads and rail services. The Environment Agency said a number of high volume pumps were being used to move water away from homes in Catcliffe in Rotherham. Sheffield City Council said several major roads from Derbyshire to Sheffield remained closed. Earlier on Thursday, 35 homes in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, were evacuated after a mudslide caused by torrential rain.'Tired and stressed' In Sheffield, hundreds of people - including those attending the Christmas Live event, which was cancelled - were kept inside Meadowhall centre by police after the surrounding streets were flooded. The centre later reopened but many people chose to stay overnight, after being unable to get home. Disney Store worker Jodie Whelan, 23, stayed at the centre, where she said staff were handing out free drinks and trying to arrange taxis. She said she travelled in for her shift by bus but said getting back was "an absolute no-go". "I'm feeling very tired," she added. "A bit fed up but trying to make the best out of an awful situation. The atmosphere is very weird but communal. "Some people got a bit rowdy and it was upsetting seeing some older people and people with babies or children, but thankfully we are all warm and safe." Another member of staff, Luke Turner, who works at a restaurant, said he was unable to drive home after his shift so bedded down in the stockroom where he said he could use "aprons" as a pillow. "I've got options, I could have got a taxi home but that still leaves me having to get a taxi back to work tomorrow," Mr Turner, from Chesterfield, said. "I had an offer from my higher management that if I could get a hotel room for the night... but unfortunately all the hotel rooms around me are full." "There's people in suits sleeping, one guy in a Tesco uniform," he added. Meanwhile Charlotte Lowther-Fuller, 18, from Grimsby said she was unable to get to a taxi as the roads and junction were cordoned off. "It was impossible for him to get us," she said, adding: "I am feeling quite tired, drained and cold from the whole situation and just want to get hom
0 Comments