A major incident was declared as severe flooding wreaked havoc across Leicestershire, leaving emergency services scrambling to respond to widespread distress calls. The torrential rains have prompted significant flooding, leading to dozens of rescues, blocked roads, and disrupted community life.
According to Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, the agency reported receiving more than 200 emergency calls as of Monday morning. The response has included rescuing people stranded in their vehicles and evacuations from homes threatened by rising waters. Judi Beresford, the Assistant Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, stated, "Flooding poses a serious risk to lives and property, and we urge everyone to take these warnings seriously. Our Control room and crews are working tirelessly to assist those in need and to keep people safe."
On Monday evening, the Environment Agency issued severe flood warnings for specific areas due to dangerously high water levels. The warning particularly highlighted the River Soar at Barrow upon Soar, where rising waters threatened residential properties at local marinas and caravan parks.
The chaos struck various neighborhoods, with notable incidents occurring in Great Glen, where Cimi Kazazi, the owner of The Italian Greyhound restaurant, physically waded through waist-high water to rescue a woman trapped inside her car.
The dramatic rescue unfolded around 7:00 AM. The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, shared her experience: "I have never been in a situation like this before. I was getting freezing and feeling very dizzy. They got to me at just the nick of time." Kazazi's selfless act underscored the urgency of the moment, as he stated: "I didn’t think twice about going to the aid of the driver."
Such community heroism was mirrored by others, including Reece Wilson, who turned what could have been a mundane shopping trip to Morrisons—now obscured under deep floodwaters—into another rescue mission. After retrieving three stranded cars, he remarked, "They had been parked overnight and the owners couldn't get to them, so they gave me the keys and I drove them out."
The impact of the flooding has been felt across the region. Leicestershire County Council reported over 160 flood-related incidents, which included not only the trapping of vehicles but also physical hazards like debris from collapsed walls. At least one teenager sustained injuries when debris fell on him at Ullesthorpe Road, though authorities confirmed his injuries were not severe.
Disruption to transport has been significant: all rail lines between Peterborough and Leicester are closed, and services between Derby and Nottingham have been severely affected by flooding. Commuters were left scrambling as East Midlands Railway had to divert services, and bus replacements were initiated across several routes. Major roads are also impaired; traffic is halted on the A515 between Parsley Hay and Pomeroy, with vehicles abandoned on Long Lane at Youlgreave due to poor visibility.
The rapid response from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue, alongside collaborative efforts with local police and councils, is geared toward managing the crisis effectively. The fire service continues to convey to the public: "We would ask you to avoid flooded routes when traveling and never to enter flood water."
It is clear from aerial footage released recently, the extent of flooding left vast swathes of Leicestershire—including picturesque countryside—impacted, with properties inundated with water. The local community remains vigilant as they begin to recover from this emergency. Though forecasters have indicated no significant rain on the immediate horizon, the residual challenges from the flooding remain palpable.
Authorities maintain over 90 active flood warnings across the area, and safety efforts are intensive. The severe weather has not only forced temporary closures of various schools across the Midlands but also prompted cold health warnings, implying citizens should be cautious of the looming cold snap.
It is evident how quickly weather conditions can shift, presenting significant threats to life and property. Emergency crews and community-minded residents have united, demonstrating resilience and strength amid nature's unpredictability. With water levels beginning to recede, the recovery process is underway, though the scars of the incident will linger as lessons emerge.