Floods

More devastating floods force pubs to close for Christmas

23-Dec-2015 - Last updated on 03-Jul-2024 at 11:41 GMT

Pubs have been devastated yet again by floods, with many likely to struggle to open for Christmas Day.

And the relentless rain shows no sign of stopping soon, with further flood warnings in place across Cumbria and in mid, south-west and north Wales.

Christmas

The Union Inn pub in Gwynedd, Wales, has been badly flooded and forced to close for Christmas and New Year.

Licensee Peta Panter had to evacuate customers when water came flooding in during a heavy rain spell.

She told the Cambrian News: "I have been looking forward to Christmas for so long; it’s a really special day for me and the community. Christmas morning is always so lovely, we have our regulars come over and we have such a lovely time and I'm heartbroken to think that won't happen this year."

Flood water reaches 12ft

Earlier this month, many pubs in Cumbria were devastated, and licensees left homeless. One pub was reported to have 12 feet of water inside.

And some areas of Cumbria have suffered a third flood in less than a month.

Some Cumbria residents cope with the aftermath of the third flood in less than a month https://t.co/QPSs7IPkju pic.twitter.com/sVgHbvd3Jk
— BBC Cumbria (@BBC_Cumbria) December 23, 2015

Glenridding in Cumbria has flooded for the 3rd time in a month as 23 flood warnings remain in place across the UK pic.twitter.com/HP74w9oXaz
— BBC Radio 5 live (@bbc5live) December 22, 2015

The Met Office warned of Storm Eva, which swept in overnight. But pubs were not prepared for the scale of the damage to come.

Met Eireann officially names #StormEva which will bring a windy night tomorrow night and early #ChristmasEve https://t.co/kOUQ3QhQ0S
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 22, 2015

But there were some warning signs yesterday for flood-hit areas.

Worrying times. This water is heading to the already flood hit areas.#floods pic.twitter.com/czzE9hg2Fd
— YorkshireShepherdess (@AmandaOwen8) December 22, 2015

Terrible day. A storm.A flood....and it's worse than last time. pic.twitter.com/Dn1LDUcYlQ
— YorkshireShepherdess (@AmandaOwen8) December 22, 2015

Areas around Pooley Bridge, Keswick campsites, the Eden Golf Club, Armathwaite, and Carlisle's Rickerby Park have been issues a yellow warning by the Met Office.