ITV Good Morning Britain’s Susanna Reid opens show with devastating news

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Good Morning Britain star Susanna Reid opened Wednesday’s (January 28) show with devastating news.

The latest edition of the hit ITV programme was hosted by Susanna and Ed Balls, with the pair updating viewers on the latest news from across the UK and around the world.

They were joined in the studio by Laura Tobin, who delivered regular weather forecasts, while Ranvir Singh handled the rest of the day’s news.

At the start of the show, Susanna and Ed shared heartbreaking news after Storm Chandra brought heavy rain, flooding and travel disruption to the UK.

Susanna began: “Chaos after Storm Chandra as a major incident is declared. More flooding overnight in the south west sees river levels rise, trains services disrupted, and 101 flood warnings in place.

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Susanna Reid shared devastating news on Wednesday morning(Image: ITV)

“Reports of roads remaining impassable, and the advice – avoid travelling if you can.”

The star continued: “Some rivers have already reached record levels, and cold health alerts are already in place in the north east and the north west.

“Transport has been affected, roads are submerged in some parts of the country, several train lines closed, in one case because of a giant sinkhole.”

Ed added: “In Somerset, a major incident has been declared, with specialist environmental agency teams working through the night to prevent severe flooding.”

Senior correspondent Jonathan Swain reported live from Langport in Somerset, where there was a woman who remained trapped in a farmhouse.

“Jonathan, you’re seeing in your own experience how difficult it is to get about, but also you’ve got a major incident unfolding just behind you with somebody trapped in a farmhouse,” Ed said.

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Storm Chandra has brought heavy rain and flooding to the UK(Image: ITV)

Jonathan replied: “Yeah, they’re used to flooding in Somerset, but not quite like this because this is a major A road behind me this morning. It shouldn’t be flooded because the environment agency have a pumping station nearby.

“The idea is they pump water away from the major roads so people can get through.

“But in the home behind me there’s a farmhouse… There is an elderly lady stuck in the house surrounded by flood water. They didn’t expect the water to rise quite as fast as this.”

Nelly Gillard, the woman’s son, then revealed: “She’s okay. We’re just trying to make plans around if the water does rise anymore and come close to the house, then obviously we’ll have to try and find somewhere else for her to go.”

The Somerset Rivers Authority have said: “Our pumping stations are operating whenever possible, however, pumps can only operate when there is space in the rivers to receive the water. Please avoid visiting pumping stations to allow our operational staff to focus on getting their jobs done.

“Some of our staff have been subjected to verbal abuse and threats at site whilst they work to get the pumps online.

“Whilst we understand the situation creates anxiety and uncertainty, but this is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”