11/06/2009 - Sheffield once again hit by floods
Businesses and homeowners are staying on alert to the possibility of more floods after surprise downpours caused disruptions to parts of northern England on Wednesday.
Sheffield and parts of Derbyshire were thrown into travel chaos after flash floods closed roads and a railway line, trapping motorists and causing havoc for other commuters and the emergency services.
In a repeat of 2007 when summer rains devastated Sheffield, several factory workers had to be rescued in Dronfield after floodwaters cut their building off.
More showers are expected throughout Thursday, but weather forecasters say it will be nothing as bad as the previous day's deluges.
The Environment Agency had flood warnings in force for areas near the River Doe Lea in north Derbyshire. There were also widespread flood watches in place for areas running along the River Don.
Firefighters said the floods were due to the city's drainage system becoming inundated rather than the River Don breaking its banks as it did in June 2007.
Sheffield Council said that a number of major routes were affected including the main A61 route south out of the city and the Penistone Road through the Hillsborough area.
A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Fire Service said that some properties had been flooded with six to eight inches of water.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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