Youth climate change activists in the UK have been forced to cancel their first ever national conference due to flooding brought on by Storm Dennis .
The conference in Staffordshire was due to start on Sunday but police have advised that the event should not go ahead due to safety concerns, according to the UK Student Climate Network (UKSCN).
Heavy rain had made roads around the venue impassable, the group said.
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The cancellation came after Storm Dennis brought flooding and dangerous weather conditions to the UK, prompting the Environment Agency (EA) to issue more than 200 flood warnings.
Sophia Coningham, a 15-year-old climate activist from London , said there was a “bleak irony” in the conference being shut down by extreme weather.
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Waves crash against the harbour wall on February 15, 2020 in Isle of Whithorn, United Kingdom. The Met Office has issued an amber alert for rain in parts of Dumfries and Galloway including the Borders and a yellow weather warning for wind for large parts of the UK as storm Dennis passes over the UK. Last week two people were killed as storm Ciara saw parts of the country hit by 93mph winds
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A husky and its owner are rescued by emergency services after flooding in Nantgarw, Wales after Storm Dennis hit the UK. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 16, 2020.
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A firefighter carries a dog to safety as part of ongoing rescue operations due to flooding in Nantgarw, Wales after Storm Dennis hit the UK
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Members of the public start the clean up following yesterdays flooding from storm Dennis on February 16, 2020 in Newcastleton, Scotland. Towns in the Scottish Borders including Jedburgh, Hawick and Newcastleton have experienced heavy flooding since storm Dennis affected most parts of the country.
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An employee cleans a nail salon on Market street in Pontypridd after Storm Dennis hits the UK leading to widespread flooding
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Two men cleaning up the street in Pontypridd after Storm Dennis hits the UK, leading to widespread flooding. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 16, 2020
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Rescue operations continue after flooding in Nantgarw, Wales as Storm Dennis hit the UK
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A digger is used to clear debris, carried by floodwater, from the road outside the Aberdare Hotel in Mountain Ash, Wales as Storm Dennis hit the UK
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A car trapped by debris carried by floodwater, on the road outside the Aberdare Hotel in Mountain Ash, Wales as Storm Dennis hit the UK
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Local residents remain cheerful as walk through receding floodwater in Mountain Ash, Wales as Storm Dennis hit the UK
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Items float in flood water inside a flooded charity shop in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England, on February 16, 2020, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. – A man died after falling into a river on Sunday as Storm Dennis swept across Britain with the army drafted in to help deal with heavy flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England, on February 16, 2020, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. – A man died after falling into a river on Sunday as Storm Dennis swept across Britain with the army drafted in to help deal with heavy flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England, on February 16, 2020, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. – A man died after falling into a river on Sunday as Storm Dennis swept across Britain with the army drafted in to help deal with heavy flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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A man rescues a floating plant pot from flood water, outside of a flood-bound house in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England, on February 16, 2020, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. – A man died after falling into a river on Sunday as Storm Dennis swept across Britain with the army drafted in to help deal with heavy flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England, on February 16, 2020, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. – A man died after falling into a river on Sunday as Storm Dennis swept across Britain with the army drafted in to help deal with heavy flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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An Environmental Agency Officer gives a briefing as the River Ouse in York continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country on February 16, 2020 in York, United Kingdom. Storm Dennis is the second named storm to bring extreme weather in a week and follows in the aftermath of Storm Ciara.
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Employees of York City Council use sand bags to increase flood defences as the River Ouse in York continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country on February 16, 2020 in York, United Kingdom. Storm Dennis is the second named storm to bring extreme weather in a week and follows in the aftermath of Storm Ciara
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A van is driven through standing water on a road in Tenbury Wells in western England, on February 17, 2020, left after the River Teme broke its banks and flooded amid Storm Dennis. – Britain on February 17 began to clear up after Storm Dennis battered the country over the weekend, leading the government’s weather agency to issue a rare “danger to life” warning amid widespread flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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A pictures shows standing water on a road in Tenbury Wells in western England, on February 17, 2020, left after the River Teme broke its banks and flooded amid Storm Dennis. – Britain on February 17 began to clear up after Storm Dennis battered the country over the weekend, leading the government’s weather agency to issue a rare “danger to life” warning amid widespread flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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A man walks through a flooded convenience store in Tenbury Wells in western England, on February 17, 2020, after the River Teme broke its banks and flooded amid Storm Dennis. – Britain on February 17 began to clear up after Storm Dennis battered the country over the weekend, leading the government’s weather agency to issue a rare “danger to life” warning amid widespread flooding and high winds
AFP via Getty Images
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Waves crash over the lighthouse at Porthcawl, South Wales
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Members of the 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland erect flood barricades in Ilkley, West Yorkshire
AFP via Getty Images
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Bricks and debris cover damaged cars after part of a building collapsed in Herne Bay
AFP via Getty Images
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An empty coach sits abandoned in flood water after the River Teme burst its banks near Lindridge
AFP via Getty Images
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A footbridge in Pontypridd is blocked by debris after Storm Dennis hits the UK. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 16, 2020
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A firefighter carries a dog to safety as part of ongoing rescue operations due to flooding in Nantgarw
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A rescue boat is lifted from the water by Mountain Rescue crews after a river patrol on the River Ouse in York
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Flood water surrounds grave stones in a graveyard in Tenbury Wells
AFP via Getty Images
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One-year-old Blake is carried by a rescue worker as emergency services continue to take families to safety
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A dog and its owner are rescued by emergency services after flooding in Nantgarw
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A car passes over Teston Bridge near Maidstone in Kent
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An aerial view of the Welsh village of Crickhowell which has been cut off
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Waves crash against the harbour wall on February 15, 2020 in Isle of Whithorn, United Kingdom. The Met Office has issued an amber alert for rain in parts of Dumfries and Galloway including the Borders and a yellow weather warning for wind for large parts of the UK as storm Dennis passes over the UK. Last week two people were killed as storm Ciara saw parts of the country hit by 93mph winds
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A husky and its owner are rescued by emergency services after flooding in Nantgarw, Wales after Storm Dennis hit the UK. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 16, 2020.
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A firefighter carries a dog to safety as part of ongoing rescue operations due to flooding in Nantgarw, Wales after Storm Dennis hit the UK
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Members of the public start the clean up following yesterdays flooding from storm Dennis on February 16, 2020 in Newcastleton, Scotland. Towns in the Scottish Borders including Jedburgh, Hawick and Newcastleton have experienced heavy flooding since storm Dennis affected most parts of the country.
Getty Images
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An employee cleans a nail salon on Market street in Pontypridd after Storm Dennis hits the UK leading to widespread flooding
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Two men cleaning up the street in Pontypridd after Storm Dennis hits the UK, leading to widespread flooding. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 16, 2020
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Rescue operations continue after flooding in Nantgarw, Wales as Storm Dennis hit the UK
PA
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A digger is used to clear debris, carried by floodwater, from the road outside the Aberdare Hotel in Mountain Ash, Wales as Storm Dennis hit the UK
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A car trapped by debris carried by floodwater, on the road outside the Aberdare Hotel in Mountain Ash, Wales as Storm Dennis hit the UK
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Local residents remain cheerful as walk through receding floodwater in Mountain Ash, Wales as Storm Dennis hit the UK
PA
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Items float in flood water inside a flooded charity shop in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England, on February 16, 2020, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. – A man died after falling into a river on Sunday as Storm Dennis swept across Britain with the army drafted in to help deal with heavy flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England, on February 16, 2020, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. – A man died after falling into a river on Sunday as Storm Dennis swept across Britain with the army drafted in to help deal with heavy flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England, on February 16, 2020, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. – A man died after falling into a river on Sunday as Storm Dennis swept across Britain with the army drafted in to help deal with heavy flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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A man rescues a floating plant pot from flood water, outside of a flood-bound house in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England, on February 16, 2020, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. – A man died after falling into a river on Sunday as Storm Dennis swept across Britain with the army drafted in to help deal with heavy flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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Flood water surrounds abandoned cars left in a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, after the River Teme burst its banks in western England, on February 16, 2020, after Storm Dennis caused flooding across large swathes of Britain. – A man died after falling into a river on Sunday as Storm Dennis swept across Britain with the army drafted in to help deal with heavy flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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An Environmental Agency Officer gives a briefing as the River Ouse in York continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country on February 16, 2020 in York, United Kingdom. Storm Dennis is the second named storm to bring extreme weather in a week and follows in the aftermath of Storm Ciara.
Getty Images
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Employees of York City Council use sand bags to increase flood defences as the River Ouse in York continues to rise potentially causing further flooding as Storm Dennis causes disruption across the country on February 16, 2020 in York, United Kingdom. Storm Dennis is the second named storm to bring extreme weather in a week and follows in the aftermath of Storm Ciara
Getty Images
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A van is driven through standing water on a road in Tenbury Wells in western England, on February 17, 2020, left after the River Teme broke its banks and flooded amid Storm Dennis. – Britain on February 17 began to clear up after Storm Dennis battered the country over the weekend, leading the government’s weather agency to issue a rare “danger to life” warning amid widespread flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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A pictures shows standing water on a road in Tenbury Wells in western England, on February 17, 2020, left after the River Teme broke its banks and flooded amid Storm Dennis. – Britain on February 17 began to clear up after Storm Dennis battered the country over the weekend, leading the government’s weather agency to issue a rare “danger to life” warning amid widespread flooding and high winds.
AFP via Getty Images
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A man walks through a flooded convenience store in Tenbury Wells in western England, on February 17, 2020, after the River Teme broke its banks and flooded amid Storm Dennis. – Britain on February 17 began to clear up after Storm Dennis battered the country over the weekend, leading the government’s weather agency to issue a rare “danger to life” warning amid widespread flooding and high winds
AFP via Getty Images
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Waves crash over the lighthouse at Porthcawl, South Wales
REUTERS
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Members of the 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland erect flood barricades in Ilkley, West Yorkshire
AFP via Getty Images
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Bricks and debris cover damaged cars after part of a building collapsed in Herne Bay
AFP via Getty Images
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An empty coach sits abandoned in flood water after the River Teme burst its banks near Lindridge
AFP via Getty Images
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A footbridge in Pontypridd is blocked by debris after Storm Dennis hits the UK. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 16, 2020
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A firefighter carries a dog to safety as part of ongoing rescue operations due to flooding in Nantgarw
PA
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A rescue boat is lifted from the water by Mountain Rescue crews after a river patrol on the River Ouse in York
Getty Images
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Flood water surrounds grave stones in a graveyard in Tenbury Wells
AFP via Getty Images
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One-year-old Blake is carried by a rescue worker as emergency services continue to take families to safety
PA
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A dog and its owner are rescued by emergency services after flooding in Nantgarw
PA
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A car passes over Teston Bridge near Maidstone in Kent
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An aerial view of the Welsh village of Crickhowell which has been cut off
Getty Images
“This kind of last-minute cancellation is particularly difficult for young people without the financial resources to travel across the country whenever we choose,” Sophia said.
“We are now living in an age of climate storms – where the most extreme weather of the last century is becoming the norm in this one,” she added.
“This is an emergency that’s now being felt across the world – from Staffordshire to Sri Lanka .”
Earlier today, Dr Michael Byrne, a lecturer in climate science at the University of St Andrews and research fellow at the University of Oxford , warned that more water in the atmosphere is “an entirely inevitable consequence of climate change.”
“When you warm the planet, the atmosphere holds more water. In many parts of the world, including the UK, rising temperatures go hand in hand with more rain,” he said in the wake of two major storms (Dennis and Ciara ) in recent weeks.
He said it was unclear whether climate change would strengthen or weaken high winds from major storms, but added that there would be more rain associated with such incidents.
“These storms are nothing new, going back 100 years, but, because we are now more than 1C warmer as a whole versus pre-industrial times, every degree means 7 per cent more water in the atmosphere and more rain in these heavy rain events,” Dr Byrne said.
“When they come, they bring more rain, 100 per cent for certain, because of climate change.”
John Curtin, the head of floods and coastal management at the EA, said on Monday that more than 400 properties had been flooded following the storm and added that the number of homes hit was “likely to rise”.
The EA has also warned torrential rain from the storm has swelled rivers to “exceptional” levels in parts of the UK, with more rain forecast to fall later this week.
South Wales, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire are among the worst affected areas from the extreme weather over the weekend.
One woman, who was swept away by floodwater in Worcestershire on Sunday, has been presumed dead by police as search efforts resumed on Monday.
Additional reporting by PA