UK: Heavy rains force dozens from their homes

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

Dozens of trapped people were rescued Wednesday night from their flooded homes in the English Midlands.

Parts of north Lancashire were worst hit; the emergency services there had to help evacuate 70 people.

They attended more than 100 incidents caused by rising waters. The Met Office said about 43mm (1.7 inches) of rain fell in 24 hours.

Hundreds of homes near Blackpool were also left without electricity.

The heavy rain also caused travel disruption as some roads were shut and rail services were suspended in North Wales. Snow is forecast across Scotland.

The Environment Agency issued 25 flood alerts and warnings in north-west of England on Thursday morning.