Sheffield weather: Live updates as Storm Babet recovery begins - Supertram returning to Meadowhall and more

A number of roads are reportedly flooded in Sheffield this morning as Storm Babet continues to lash the UK.

Forecasters say rain will fall in the Steel City all day long and is not expected to stop until 9am on Saturday.

This morning (October 20), isolated flooding has been reported on roads and causing delays for drivers.

Roads in Woodhouse has reportedly been severely affected so far. Water at least a foot deep has been pictured at the junction of Sheffield Road and Retford Road.

Cars have reportedly broken down in water up to two feet deep on Beaver Hill Road, while the flooding has also been reported at the roundabout on Coisley Hill.

Meanwhile, First South Yorkshire reports buses are being rediverted due to flooding on Upwell Street, in Lower Don Valley.

In a statement at around 7.30am, Stagecoach Supertram said trams heading east from city centre [Rotherham and Parkgate] will likely be disrupted for the rest of the day.

A spokesperson said: "Due to the risk of flooding, the last tram train departure from Cathedral to Parkgate will be the 08:00 service. After this all Tram Train services will divert to Meadowhall. Tickets will be accepted on First and Stagecoach buses, between Meadowhall, Rotherham and Parkgate.

"Due to a risk of flooding, Tram Train services will be unable to operate to Rotherham Central and Parkgate in both directions.

"The last departure from Parkgate will be the 08:31 after this all Tram Train services will Divert to Meadowhall until further notice."

Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said:“Persistent and heavy rain brought by a combination of Storm Babet and following weather systems means significant inland flooding is likely across parts of the North East and Yorkshire from Thursday through to Saturday, while, at the same time, flooding is also possible across other parts of the North, East Anglia and the South East.

“Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground, undertaking preparatory operational activity to minimise the impacts of flooding where possible. We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car. 

“People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation at https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding and follow @EnvAgency on X, formerly known as Twitter, for the latest flood updates.”

A flood warning has been issued and eight flood alerts are in place as Storm Babet continues to rage in Sheffield.

The city has been hit by heavy rain, which is forecast to continue until 9am on Saturday morning and has already caused flooding and travel disruption in many areas.

Endcliffe Park is among the areas expected to flood, with Kelham Island also among the most at-risk areas.

The Environment Agency has issued 42 flood warnings and 142 flood alerts across the UK, including a total of nine in the Sheffield area, with the River Don and the River Sheaf among them.

Read more here: https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/weather/sheffield-weather-flood-warnings-and-9-flood-alerts-including-don-and-sheaf-rivers-as-storm-babet-hits-4378879

For more details on the latest flood warnings and alerts, and what to do if you are affected, visit: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/alerts-and-warnings.

Flooding on Treeton Lane

Bus operator First South Yorkshire has tweeted that the following roads in Sheffield are flooded and are affecting the following bus routes:

No. 76 - Due to flooding at Abbey Lane/Bocking Lane, services are diverted via Meadowhead roundabout, Greenhill Avenue and Bocking Lane in both directions.

No. 52A - Beaverhill Road is blocked due to flooding. Services will divert via Retford Road & Furnace Lane in both directions.

No. 18 - Due to flooding at Upwell Street buses will be using Jenking and Hollywell street in both directions.

X5 - Retford Road is currently blocked. Service towards Dinnington diverted via Beighton Road & Chesterfield Road. Service toward Sheffield diverted via Swallownest Crossroads Chesterfield Road, A57 & Beighton Road.

Here are just some of the photos coming in today from across Sheffield of rising water and flooded roads.

Travel South Yorkshire has reported that Rotherham Railway Station is now closed due to flooding.

It is unclear if the flooding as affected the tracks, platforms or only roads nearby.

A tweet by the operator reads: "Rotherham Station is closed due to flooding. "Rail replacement is available at Meadowhall, which will run in both directions between Sheffield and Rotherham."