This is bbc news, im martine croxall. The headlines at 4 South Wales Police declare flooding caused by storm dennis a Major Incident. A man has been found dead after falling into a river in south wales. Today will be a day devoted to getting on top of it, providing an emergency response. By tomorrow, we hope the Weather Forecast says, we will be into the phase where we will be recovering from it and seeing what needs to be done to help. Heavy rain has caused landslides and there are hundreds of flood alerts in place across the uk, including a number of red warnings, meaning theres a danger to life. After love island presenter Caroline Flack took her own life, her successor on the programme, Laura Whitmore made an emotional tribute on her radio show. At age 40, Caroline Flack made
the decision to take her own life and i want to talk about it. Im going to talk about her and give her the respect that she deserves, and that she didnt always get. The evacuation of american citizens quarantined on a cruise ship has begun. This is the scene live in yokahama, where theyre to be flown home after a jump in the number of new cases of coronavirus on board. And in half an hour here on bbc news, talking movies goes to hollywood for an oscars review special. A man has been found dead afterfalling into a river in south wales after storm dennis brought heavy rain and strong winds to much of the uk. Dyfed powys police said his body was recovered from the river tawe at trebanos. 594 flood warnings and alerts were in place in england today an all time record. The met office said that winds of more than 80 mph were recorded across parts of the country, whilst heavy rainfall led to rivers bursting their banks. South wales has borne the brunt of the storm a red warning this morning told people there could be a risk to life. Efforts are under way to rescue people in powys, after water rushed into their homes. And here are the raging waters in lla nfoist near abergavenny. In hay on wye you can see these images of vehicles being washed away in fast moving flood waters. And heres the scene outside someones window in nantgarw, you can see the tops of the cars just visible above the water, as peoples homes and properties are flooded. Helena wilkinson has this report. In south wales this lunchtime, a Major Incident has been declared. Emergency crews are dealing with landslides like this, and widespread flooding. This is what residents in the village of nantgarw near cardiff woke to this morning. A road now looking more like a river, the sheer volume of water left cars submerged. Emergency services had to rescue people as the water levels rose, including this elderly lady. And this is a high street in pontypridd in south wales. Not everyone heeded the dont drive through flood water advice. I workjust down on the corner, and i had to leave at about eight oclock last night because of the floods, so to come down this morning and see it like this is a shock. Others have been left stranded. This is what one family woke up to in crickhowell while on holiday. I can see coming down the street now where there is an inflatable boat, so fingers crossed we wont be here too much longer. So far in the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, it has not been as bad as people feared. It has not really gone up overnight. Its all right at the moment. No panic as of yet, but keep an eye on it. In glasgow, the river clyde was battered by torrential rain. Scotland has borne the brunt of the storm. Three severe flood warnings remain in place for the borders. In carlisle, a lucky escape. A couple had to be rescued after their car was swept from the road by an overflowing river, leaving their vehicle wedged against this gate. This storm is far from over. Communities continue to battle against appalling weather conditions. More devastation for those already bearing the brunt may be yet to come. Helen wilkinson, bbc news. Richard prendergast is a brigade manager for south wales fire and rescue service. Hejoins us from bridgend. Thank you forjoining us, it is an incredibly busy time for you and your colleagues. What can you tell us your colleagues. What can you tell us about this who died in the river . I cant tell you anything about that, you would need to speak to the police. Obviously it is early and investigations are ongoing. Of course, tell us how busy you have been and what the priorities have been and what the priorities have been for your staff . We have been incredibly busy. We have had nearly 1400 incredibly busy. We have had nearly moo emergency reports injust over 12 hours. We have carried out deep rescue, 80 rescues when the public have needed us and we have had to go to members of the public involved in this unprecedented event. We have had a short amount of time and it
has led to mudslides in parts of south wales. At one point there were red warnings in place which means there is a risk to life. How dangerous a situation where your crew is facing as they tried to help other people . Crews faced massively dangerous conditions but they are well equipped, well trained and they really prioritised the public so obviously they have done an amazing job thus far and our main hope is we avoid further loss of life. We know now that these red warnings have tha nkfully now that these red warnings have thankfully passed but that doesnt mean that we are in the all clear so how are you monitoring the situation . What are you still involved with . Im going to another meeting and we are working with our partners in National Resources wales, the Environment Agency and the met office and the situation
continues to improve. We are now concerned about the public in ask and we are looking to carry out an evacuation of some properties here and get the public out of harms reach. What is your advice to people who are in your part of wales and may be wondering whether they can return to their normal activities . The first thing is dont drive through because the road is destructive and would have been damaged so dont drive through that. Please stay away from bridges because whilst they may look safe, if they have been up against large currents of water they can get weakened and can often fail without warning. Only really carry out necessary journeys. I warning. Only really carry out necessaryjourneys. I expect the disruption following this weather to last some time and i know for insta nce last some time and i know for instance rail network may be compromised for a period of time. Instance rail network may be compromised for a period of timelj know there is a huge amount of gratitude for what your crews do. Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to us. The Welsh Government is preparing to provide extra funding to councils in response to the damage caused by storm dennis. First minister Mark Drakeford said his government is initially operating in a coordinating role but will sit down with local authorities early in the week in order to make sure that the help that we are able to provide to them gets to them in as timely as way as we can. The extent and the severity of flooding means that a Major Incident has been called. That means that all the Emergency Services across south wales are working together in a response to it and ijust wales are working together in a response to it and i just want to thank all of those who in the middle of last night to have been out in atrocious weather doing everything they can to help people who find themselves on the sharp end of flooding and also a fantastic community response. Schools being opened, community centres, church halls, opened, private businesses
are turning up offering to help where they can but the incident is very serious and today will be a day devoted to getting on top of it, providing emergency response. By tomorrow, we hope, the Weather Forecast says, we will be into the phase where we are beginning to recover from it and seeing what needs to be done to help. What is the Welsh Government in particular doing . Well it has a kenwood and dating role as an Emergency Coordinating Centre in the Welsh Government is open to getting information from right across wales and feeding it into those who need it. And feeding it into those who need it. Coordinating role. Then we will have a role in sitting down early in the week with our local authority colleagues in particular, seeing what needs to be done for that there has been damaged infrastructure as well as individual homes being flooded. There will be flood defences which have stood up to the flooding but will now need to be stress tested to make sure they are continually fit for the future and we will be there alongside our local authority colleagues making sure that everything that needs to
be done can be done. Has there been any discussion about the army getting involved . Not as yet because we have been able to mobilise all those forces that we already have. Our fantastic those forces that we already have. Ourfantastic emergency those forces that we already have. Our fantastic Emergency Services. And as i said, an amazing response from the public and Community Organisations as well. What about financing . It you foresee having to get some cash for local authorities and Emergency Services and so on . |j do imagine that will be necessary and we will need to talk closely and rapidly with our local authority collea g u es rapidly with our local authority colleagues to make sure that the help that we are able to provide to them gets to them in as timely a way as we can and as effectively as we can. The town of hawick has been hit by severe flooding as storm dennis passed across scotland. Our reporter Alexandra Mackenzie is there. What are the conditions like now . Can you hear us any better . I am
hoping so. I can hear you a little bit better although it is still extremely windy and we have just had a shower of hail stones that we are having all kinds of weather here today but last night was exceptionally bad. There were three rivers here in the boarders who hit record levels last night and that has caused quite a lot of flooding in this area. Hawick has been badly affected and you particularly notice it is that you drive into the town. There is quite a lot of fields that are completely saturated and are flooded and in the nearby town of newcastleton which is about 20 miles from here, people there have also been badly affected. Several people we re been badly affected. Several people were evacuated from their homes last night and houses have been flooded there and businesses have been flooded there so this area has been affected quite badly but the rivers
have hit peak levels. The tv at behind me, it has gone down although it is still moving extremely fast. Teviot. The council had an emergency bunker setup and had been providing sand for those who have needed them and now will be involved in the clean up for any of those who have been affected and people who are trying to get back to normal but the bad weather is likely to continue at least until tomorrow and there is a yellow wind warning in place for the whole of scotland that will also cover the commute to work tomorrow morning so it could be a tricky one for many. You mentioned how bad the winds are going to be, what are people being advised to do because of that . Well, it has been particularly affecting travel. It was affecting trains last night and
today and scotrail were telling people in the west of scotland to avoid travel if at all possible. The ferries are also badly affected by the wind. Caledonian trains say all of their services are affected, cancelled or badly disrupted and driving conditions are bad and we have been seeing some people out and about today but it has been a lot quieter than usualfor a about today but it has been a lot quieter than usual for a weekend afternoon. Alexandra, for the moment, thank you very much for braving the elements for us will stop alexandra out there in a hawick in the scottish borders. Just a little bit more information from dyfed powys little bit more information from Dyfed Powys Police who are appealing for witnesses after a man died in the river at around 10am that the
man who is aged in his 60s was seen getting into the river. He was rescued from the water near a rugby clu b rescued from the water near a rugby club but was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed. They are saying that his death is not being treated as suspicious and they dont actually believe that his death was related to the adverse weather but thanks from Dyfed Powys Police to everyone who assisted in responding to what looks like a tragic incident. And for the latest information on storm dennis in your area, you can find out more, on your local bbc online pages, or, tune in, to your local radio station. Further tributes have been paid to Caroline Flack, the tv presenter, who was found dead at her home yesterday. Herfamilys lawyer said she had taken her own life. Laura whitmore, who succeeded caroline as presenter of love island, criticised newspapers and socia media users over their treatment of her friend. Caroline flack had been due to stand trial next month for assaulting her boyfriend, a charge she denied. Angus crawford reports. Its the return of the flack love island, x factor, im a celebrity Caroline Flack, a life which appeared successful and glamorous. Lets talk love. Until december last year, when she was arrested and charged with assaulting her boyfriend. Yesterday, her family confirmed she had taken her own life. Today, friend and fellow presenter Laura Whitmore, who replaces her on love island, could not hide her grief and anger. Anyone who knew caroline knew she was vivacious, loving, and had a passion for life. To the press, the newspapers who create click bait, who demonise and tear down success, weve had enough. You dont have to tear down someone to feel good about yourself. There have been many other tributes from friends, fans and fellow celebrities. A media scrum at her first court appearance, distressing allegations she denied, a trial date in march and bail conditions banning any contact with her boyfriend, lewis burton. He denied being a victim and did not want the prosecution to go ahead. Today, he posted this message. My heart is broken, and, we had something so special. He also appeared to criticise the way the case was handled, saying, i was not allowed to be there this time. I kept asking and asking. Questions, too, from her management, who labelled it a show trial. The Crown Prosecution Service says it wont comment. Weeks before her death, she wrote of the weight of media intrusion, saying. Tributes have been paid to the tv presenter, Caroline Flack, who died yesterday. She killed herself at her home in east london. Laura whitmore, who took over presenting love island, started her show on 5 live this morning by speaking about the abuse her friend had received. I wish we were talking under better circumstances. Ive been debating whether i should, would or could come on air today. But this isnt about me. Yesterday, we lost someone before their time. At age 40, Caroline Flack made the decision to take her own life, and i want to talk about it. Im going to talk about her and give her the respect that she deserves and that she didnt always get. I met herjust shy of ten years ago at v festival and then we became friends. She was bubbly and for such a small stature, commanded a room. She loved to laugh and had the most infectious chuckle. She also had many struggles. I am not going to pretend she was perfect, but as anyone. She lived every mistake publicly under the scrutiny of the media. Caroline loved to love. Thats all she wanted, which is why a show like love island was important to her because the show is about finding love, friendship and having a laugh. The problem wasnt the show. The show is loving and caring and safe and protected. The problem is, the outside world is not. Anyone whos ever compared one woman against another on twitter, knocked someone because of their appearance, invaded someone elses privacy, who have made mean and unnecessary comments on an online forum, need to look at themselves. Sorry. To the press, the newspapers who create clickbait, who demonise and tear down success,
weve had enough. I have seen journalists and twitter warriors talk of the tragedy who themselves have just twisted what the truth is. You dont have to tear down someone to feel good about yourself. So to listeners, be kind. Only you are responsible for how you treat others and what you put out in the world. Ive had messages and been harassed just for doing myjob, and this is where the problem is. I want to use my platform to call people out, because its gone too far. And if youve been affected by any of the issues raised, information and support is available from bbc action line, and theres the number for you. The headlines on bbc news South Wales Police have declared flooding caused by storm dennis a Major Incident. Heavy rain and strong winds continue to lash large parts of the uk. As tributes continue to pour in for the love island presenter, Caroline Flack, her management have criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for refusing to drop charges that she assaulted her boyfriend. American citizens quarantined on a cruise ship injapan are to be flown home, after a jump in the number of new cases of coronavirus on board. Sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heres karthi gna nasegaram. Englands cricketers have pulled off a thrilling five wicket victory in the third and final t20 internatinal against south africa. Its their second highest successful run chase in t20s. South africa won the toss and raced out of the blocks. Temba bavuma with 49 runs offjust 24 balls. But Heinrich Klaasen was the real standout for the home side
with 66 runs and 4 sixes as south africa set england a massive 223 to win. But england were up for the fight. Opener jos buttler getting them off to a quick start with a half century. Jonny bairstow then got one of his own. But it was a 50 from captain eoin morgan that steered england to a five wicket victory and the series win. There was late drama in the premier league too with tottenham scoring their latest winning goal in the top flight for ten years to beat aston villa 3 2 at villa park. Villa went ahead through a Toby Alderweireld own goal, but the defender then scored at the right end before heung son min scored from the rebound after his penalty was saved. Villa drew level through bjorn engels just after half time. But it was son again with the winner deep into injury time. The results puts spurs up to fifth. Villa stay one place above the relegation zone. Celtic extended their lead at the top of the scottish premiership to 13 points, for now, with a 2 1 win at aberdeen. It was celtics ninth straight win in all competitions but they were made to work hard, as rhia chohan reports. Winds as rhia chohan reports. Of up to 50 mph as rhia chohan reports. Set the conditions in abert the mph set the conditions in aberdeen. The other bluster came as celtic won at pittodrie. Embodying celtics tenacity, callum. The Second Season running, no player in World Football has spent more minutes on the pitch. Despite the goal, celtic were lacking their usual swagger, making a mess of clearing across aberdeen we re a mess of clearing across aberdeen were able to respond. Ash taylor, levelling the first half. Aberdeen played with confidence and cut celtic on their toes and for the most pa rt celtic on their toes and for the most part it looked like the home side would score again. Keepjoe
lewis also denied them a chance. This celtic side dont mind leaving it late if they have two. Christophe firing ina it late if they have two. Christophe firing in a composed win. In the end, a harsh result for aberdeen. Celtic went at their best but still managed to blow their opponents away. Second placed rangers are in action against livingstone. Its 10 to rangers with just over an hour gone, Scott Arfield with the goal. The weather has caused a few problems for games in the womens fa cup this weekend but holders mancheter citys game against ipswich has gone ahead, finishing 10 0 to city while Birmingham City beat sunderland 1 0 in the other game to have gone ahead. There were three fixtures called off, including arsenals game with lewes. The other scores are on there, the ones that managed to go ahead. Seven time major champion, inbee park has won her 20th career lpga victory at the Australian Open in adelaide. The south korean finished on 14 under par, three strokes ahead of americas amy olson. It was pars first lpga tour title for nearly two years. Englands Jodi Ewart Shadoff finished tied for 10th. Shaun murphy leads kyren wilson by seven frames to one after the first session of the welsh open final in cardiff. Despite his semifinal finishing in the early hours of the morning, murphy came storming out of the traps to go 6 0 ahead, before finishing the session with a 7 1 advantage thanks to this total clearance of 134. That means he only needs 2 more frames to win the title when they resume at 7pm tonight. Thats all the sport for now. Ill have more for you in the next hour. American citizens who have been quarantined on a cruise ship because of coronavirus fears are due
to fly home to the us this evening. The diamond princess tourist liner has been on lock down off the coast of japan since the third of february. Canadian, italian, south korean and hong kong passengersare also expected to fly home, after their governments also announced plans to deport passengers. The United States and the taliban are perhaps just days away from announcing an agreement that could pave the way for peace talks between the afghan parties themselves and the withdrawal of us troops from the country. Afghan security ministers are due to return to kabul from the Munich Security Conference to discuss the final arrangements for a partial truce. And the deal could begin to be implemented as early as monday. Our chief International Correspondent lyse doucet is in munich at the conference. The meetings are still going on in fact inside this Elegant Hotel with the delegation from afghanistan headed by the president. He has been meeting various european
envoys, working on afghanistan. Meeting the us envoy who has been negotiating these difficult talks with the taliban in doha so there is still so many different aspects of this deal which have to be looked at. First of all, as you mentioned, the Afghan Defence minister is here, International Security adviser is here. Theyve got to go back to kabul theyve got to communicate with their forces on the ground in order to convey whats happening. In doha, the taliban there have to talk to their people so the date when the clock starts ticking on this so called reduction of violence could slip by a little bit but it seems clear that the deal is done. It is a deal which has a lot of conditions attached for what the taliban has to do and what the United States has to do but it will start, we understand, this week and that will be really a historic moment but quite a risky moment, too. Lets talk to our wales correspondent tomos morgan who is in tonna in the neath valley. These are slightly better conditions than we have spoken in recent times, what is the situation now. He is in nantgarw. You might be able to see the mark on the wall here and that was where the water was at its worst today. It has dramatically fallen since then in nantgarw. All of the residents on this street he had been evacuated but there is still quite a bit of water here on the floor of this road. At one stage at this rate was pretty much a river and these cars were more or less com pletely and these cars were more or less completely submerged. The residents have been taken to a local Leisure Centre to safety. Some have been coming home to try and recover what possessions they can but most of the downstairs in these homes have been com pletely downstairs in these homes have been completely ruined by the after affects of storm dennis over the
past 24 hours. You may already know but a Major Incident has been declared across south wales after this storm. Emergency services are working in tandem to try and help the people who have been worst affected. We have seen landslides in some areas, several communities like this one have had to be evacuated to safety as their properties are just not safe now due to the water affecting the electrical is notjust ruining their possessions. As storm dennis now begins to seize here, there are still warnings in place for rain and wind till the end of the day. Tomorrow, the clean up will begin and restoring these homes will no doubt to take a long time. Emma howard boyd is from the Environment Agency and she told us about the situation with flooding in and around york. You can see from where we are it has been pumping and getting waterfrom the river was into the river ouse and we are making sure that up and down the country and different parts of yorkshire we are putting in temporary barriers where needed and asi temporary barriers where needed and as i say, this is a lot of water that we are dealing with. We are dealing with very saturated ground up dealing with very saturated ground up and down the country so we want to be vigilant and make sure we are prepared as the water comes through. You talk about preparations and of course there are a lot of angry people in the north of england who we re people in the north of england who were hit last week with storm ciara and we are seeing more flooded
situations like this more often and people down in West Yorkshire are being told more money is being given to the local council by the Environment Agency to build more flood barriers and alleviate flooding with different projects there but it is not being done on time, what would you say to that. There but it is not being done on time, what would you say to thate we know for anyone who has been flooded it is extremely devastating for them and ive visited people in the Calder Valley, most recently towards the end of november. The whole valley is a very complicated structure. The water moves very dynamically, you have the road, the rail, the canal and the railway, all of this going through the valley so we have worked as quickly as we can through quite a complicated system
to put in