Photos reveal extent of first day of Storm Babet floods in Southwell

Roads were closed, play parks flooded and rivers burst their banks as a town experienced a day of heavy rain due to Storm Babet.

As the day drew to a close yesterday, the affect of the storm on Southwell was clear to see.

The River Greet burst its banks and was flowing across Station Road, eventually leading to its closure, and covering footpaths.

On the other side of town Potwell Dyke was full to the brim and fast-flowing, with many adjacent properties flooded.

The children’s play park at Squires Field was partially submerged, and the neighbouring ponds were overflowing.

Despite the extent of the flooding still present, it was an improvement on earlier in the afternoon when Church Street had also been covered with water.

Sandbags lined doorways and driveways along the street.

Many access routes to the town, including through neighbouring villages, also experienced severe flooding.

Bus services to Nottingham were diverted and The Minster School closed its doors early after floods forced the closure of Nottingham Road in the morning.

Flood wardens spent the day co-ordinating the town’s flood response and assisting motorists in the pouring rain.

The situation continues to change, and authorities warn of continuing heavy rain over the weekend.