A WOMAN who died after being caught in floods has today been named as the former High Sheriff of Derbyshire.

Annie Hall was swept away in the water in the early hours of Friday morning near River Derwent in Darley Dale, near Matlock.

Tragically, her body was later found downstream after a months’s worth of rain fell in one day.

Tributes have since been paid to the "great leader".

Chief Constable Peter Goodman, who became close with Mrs Hall during her tenure, said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the untimely and tragic death of my friend, and former High Sheriff, Annie Hall.

"Annie was a great leader in Derbyshire in both industry and on the civic front. She will be hugely missed.

"My deepest sympathies go to Michael and all the family at this time.”

Mrs Hall's family have released the following statement: “It is with great sadness that we, the family of Annie Hall, report her sudden passing.

"We are in great shock and grieving."

It is understood Mrs Hall lived in in Ashford-In-The Water, six miles from Rowsley where she was swept away.

'GREATLY MISSED'

Mrs Hall grew up near Wincanton on the Somerset-Dorset border, going to the local Catholic school.

She then went on to study to become a psychiatric nurse, but didn't finish as she started a business with her husband Michael in their new home Bedfordshire.

She was sworn in as High Sheriff in April, 2017.

It comes as emergency services were inundated with calls for help, with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue rescuing 120 people in just 28 hours.

HIGH ALERT

Thousands were evacuated after biblical rain saw roads submerged and railway lines blocked.

Authorities are still on high alert today with fears the flood waters are still dangerous around the River Don, including Barnby Dun, Bently, Fishlake, Kirk Bramwith, Kirk Sandall, South Bramwith and Willow Bridge caravan site.

Flood water levels peaked at record levels last night with seven severe flood warnings in place and more than 50 other areas warned "immediate action" was required.

John Curtin, the EA’s executive director of flood and coastal risk management, said: "The River Don at Doncaster and the Derwent at Derby both peaked at record levels overnight.

"Although river levels are falling, dangerous flood waters remain."

At least a month's worth of rain was dumped on parts of the country in 24 hours, with residents forced to evacuate homes in Mansfield and Kirk Sandall, Doncaster after the River Don burst its banks.

Derbyshire Constabulary today warned there was still significant flooding across the county.

A massive cleanup operation is now underway, with some houses still submerged as desperate Brits will attempt to salvage ruined belongings today.

Meanwhile, temperatures plunged to -7C in parts of Scotland overnight.

Rail operator Northern issued "do not travel" advice for passengers using five lines on its network.

Lines between Sheffield and Gainsborough, Sheffield and Lincoln, Sheffield and Goole, Hebden Bridge and Rochdale, and the line from Sheffield to Leeds via Moorthorpe.

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