England floods: Storm Frank threatens more misery

#Scotland  : #UK  A fresh storm threatens to bring more misery to parts of the UK, including areas already hit by severe flooding.

Storm Frank is due to sweep in from Tuesday evening, with Cumbria and south and central Scotland at most risk.

There are nine severe flood warnings – meaning “danger to life” – in England and Wales, mostly centred on York which was badly hit by flooding on Saturday.

David Cameron has defended government spending on flood defences after the devastation across northern England.

‘Troublemaker’

The Environment Agency said on Monday there would have to be a “complete rethink” of flood defences.

December has seen communities in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire swamped by rising waters.

Storm Frank poses a new threat in the wake of what Storm Eva brought over the Christmas weekend.

The Met Office has issued amber weather warnings – meaning “be prepared” – for rain in Strathclyde; Central, Tayside and Fife; Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and Borders; and North West England for Wednesday.

There are also yellow weather warnings – meaning “be aware” – for rain for the rest of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, North East England and Yorkshire and Humber.