Floods and snow close schools across the UK: Full list of school closures

Britain is battling a brutal blend of floods and heavy snow – chaos on roads, schools shut and a nation shivering amidst severe weather warnings. From the wettest of floods to the chilliest of blizzards, communities face an epic struggle against the elements.

Flood fears and critical incidents

It’s not just a bit of rain this time – East Midlands Ambulance has declared a first-ever critical incident, partly due to relentless flooding. A major incident was also declared in Lincolnshire on Monday, January 6 during the night, with forecasters warning of more mayhem on Tuesday January 7. The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum has slapped 40 flood warnings and 29 alerts across the county, with 62 homes reportedly already underwater.

Emergency services remain on red alert at Greatford near Stamford, where the West Glen River is threatening to take over 49 properties. The Environment Agency has even issued a severe flood warning for the River Soar – danger to life looms for caravan parks near Barrow upon Soar in Leicestershire. Across England, 198 flood warnings and 300 flood alerts sound the alarm that more floods are expected and possible.

Rescue crews are working flat out – firefighters in Leicestershire rescued 59 people from rising waters, and tragically, a man’s body was recovered from North Yorkshire. Police confirmed he’s been identified, but investigations continue with no suspicious circumstances so far.

Commute mayhem and school closures

Commute chaos reigned supreme on January 6 as major roads and railways turned into frozen obstacles. With snowstorms hammering the country, flights at Manchester and Bristol airports remain grounded.

Schools have not been spared – hundreds across Yorkshire, Lancashire, Scotland and beyond are closed today. Parents at a Lincolnshire primary school were urged to steer clear until midday, while fire brigade vehicles stood by, ready to ferry children through murky floodwater if needed.

Snow strikes as the UK freezes

Snow and ice warnings still loom over much of the UK. A yellow snow and ice warning was in effect across south-west England, Wales, parts of Merseyside and the West Midlands, until 10 AM on Tuesday, January 7, with similar alerts in northern Scotland and Northern Ireland. Expect up to 15cm more snow on January 7. With three warnings still alive, commuters should brace for further delays and rural communities risk being cut off.

The severe weather over the weekend, with plummeting temperatures to -11°C in some areas, has left roads impassable, rail lines blocked and airports in limbo.

School shutdowns: National list

The winter wrath means schools – from tiny village primaries to big city academies – are shuttering their doors.

Click on the following link to see the full list of school closures and delayed openings across the UK:

For more updates and the status of your child’s school, check your local council or the Gov.uk website using your postcode.

MPs vow action against floods

In the Commons, Environment Minister Emma Hardy declared flooding ‘a personal priority’. She pledged a government overhaul on flood defence funding, promising to tackle the challenges faced by businesses and communities in vulnerable areas like Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire.

As Britain braces for further ‘localised’ flooding over the next 24 to 36 hours, calls for urgent action ring out. Will the government step up its efforts to protect our homes and schools from this relentless weather? Only time will tell as Britain battles on against flood and frost.

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