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Reuters
People are being taken to safety in boats in Rotherham
People are being evacuated from their homes and there is chaos on the roads and trains after torrential downpours flooded parts of northern England.
Five severe warnings – meaning a danger to life – are in place along the River Don in Doncaster with some residents being told to leave their homes.
Dozens of people slept on chairs and benches after being left stranded in a shopping centre in Sheffield overnight.
More than 100 flood warnings are in place across England
The Environment Agency (EA) has urged people to take them seriously.
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Reuters
Vehicles are submerged in floodwater in the town
The north of England and the Midlands were hit by flooding chaos on Thursday night, with the highest rainfall recorded at Swineshaw in the Peak District, which had 112mm (4.4in) in 24 hours.
Parts of Sheffield experienced 85mm (3.4in) during the same period.
The average monthly rainfall total for Yorkshire at this time of year is 89mm (3.5in).
The five severe flood warnings have been issued for the following locations:
- River Don at Barnby Dun
- River Don at Kirk Bramwith
- River Don at Kirk Sandall
- River Don at South Bramwith
- River Don at Willow Bridge Caravan Site
Rail lines around The New York Stadium in Rotherham are blocked due to flooding
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Lee Evans
Cars remain stranded at the Parkgate centre after an overnight evacuation
Most people left stranded overnight in Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield have now left after being forced to bed down overnight.
Elsewhere, in Rotherham firefighters rescued people by boat who were stranded in the Parkgate centre.
A “major incident” has been declared in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, after dozens of homes were evacuated, along with properties in Mansfield.
Councillor Simon Greaves said Bassetlaw District Council had opened its leisure centre and some residents had to be taken there by boat.
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Luke Turner
Some shops at Meadowhall stayed open late while Carphone Warehouse reportedly let people charge their phones
The deluge is continuing to cause serious disruption to the transport network, with Northern warning of severe disruption across its network.
Several rail lines are blocked due to flooding, leaving thousands of commuters struggling to get to work.
Train operators are warning passengers not to travel on a number of routes through Yorkshire – particularly in the Sheffield area – and between Hebden Bridge and Rochdale in the North West.
Fran Lowe, from the EA, said: “Pay attention to our flood warnings and alerts, take these warnings very seriously as they represent a threat to life.
“Respond immediately and get out of any place affected by a severe flood warning.”
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Lee Parkinson
Roads close to Meadowhall in Sheffield were flooded after hours of persistent rainfall
In Doncaster, the River Don has hit its highest recorded level, currently at just over 6.3m, higher than it was in 2007 when it also flooded.
The EA 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.
Meadowhall said it would open as normal on Friday, although the interchange at the centre is closed.
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