Britain braces for more flood chaos: Met Office map shows where heavy rain will hammer country as rivers burst their banks after deluge
- UK faces flood chaos on Thursday with up to three inches of rain in south west
Published: 09:05, 6 December 2023 | Updated: 09:13, 6 December 2023
The UK is braced for more flood chaos tomorrow with dozens of warnings in place across England – as lashings of heavy rain pose a risk that rivers may burst their banks.
Over three inches (80mm) of rain could hit parts of south west England on Thursday, where a series of flood alerts have already been raised.
The Met Office[2] has issued a yellow rain warning across swathes of Scotland, Wales and south west England covering both the morning and early afternoon, saying people should expect travel disruption.
It said: ‘Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.’
An interactive flood map from the Met Office shows the parts of the country where flood warnings have been issued.
Flooding in York this morning, where the River Ouse has broken its banks – rising to 3.01m
Roads and car parks in York city centre have been submerged after the river Ouse burst its banks
The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning across swathes of Scotland, Wales and south west England covering the morning and early afternoon, saying people should expect travel disruption
An interactive flood map from the Met Office shows the parts of the country where flood warnings have been issued
Commuters brave the freezing fog in Richmond in southwest London this morning
It follows a brisk morning of cold weather today
The road between Derby and Nottingham was only accessible to a few but due to cars going through at the same time
A couple wade through the flood water in Risley, Derbyshire, well prepared in their wellies
The forecaster also issued warnings for Northern Ireland[3] on Wednesday and further yellow alerts in parts of south-west and eastern Scotland and large swathes of Wales on Thursday. Flooding is possible in the worst affected regions and some could face power cuts, it said.
It follows a brisk morning of cold weather today, with temperatures below freezing across much of the UK.
Yellow weather warnings of ice are in place in Edinburgh[4] and north east Scotland.
The Environment Agency had 49 flood warnings – where flooding is expected – in place across England on Tuesday morning, mainly in Dorset, Somerset and across the Midlands.
There were a further 174 flood alerts, where flooding is considered possible.
Meanwhile, temperatures across the country are expected to drop below freezing quite widely overnight and into Wednesday ahead of a milder rest of the week.
Yellow ice warnings have been issued amid snowfall in parts of eastern Scotland, lasting until Wednesday.
Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey, said: ‘The low pressure system that brought yesterday’s rain is pulling away across the near continent and things will turn a little drier today for many with the odd bright spell before the next system arrives from the west tomorrow.
‘Tonight will be another cold night with a widespread frost expected.
‘As we go through the morning heavy rain and strong winds will push across the country from the west, a number of National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued.’
Yesterday saw severe downpours in parts of the country, with reports of flooding in south west England.
In one field, a rescue operation was mounted last night after caravans became flooded – forcing dozens of elderly residents to flee.
Drone pictures showed the aftermath of of the flooding at Primrose Hill Residential Park in Charlton Adam, Somerset.
Drone image this morning of the mass flooding of Primrose Hill Residential Park in Charlton Adam, Somerset
Dozens of elderly residents were forced to flee the caravan park last night after te field became flooded
Aerial images taken this morning after the rescues show water still engulfing around 30 caravans on the site
Bredy Lane at Burton Bradstock in Dorset was flooded this week as heavy persistent rain continues to fall
Trains were disrupted between Bristol Parkway and Taunton and Swindon this morning after parts of the track became flooded (Pictured: a flooded track beneath a rail arch in Somerset)
Cars were seen abandoned on Derby Road, Risley yesterday as motorists became stranded after attempted to travel through flood water
There were concerns for the welfare of around 100 residents with many of the caravans on site waterlogged and others had lost electricity and water supplies.
All the residents were checked over and many had to be extricated to dry land alongside their pets for further care and assistance.
Aerial images taken this morning after the rescues show water still engulfing around 30 caravans on the site.
Among the large number of search teams to be deployed to help in the rescue was Wiltshire Search and Rescue.
It is understood that water rescue specialists were initially alerted to the incident at around 9pm, with the peak of the flooding in the early hours of the morning overnight before levels began to drop.
Regarding the risk of further flooding tomorrow, RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: ‘We expect to see a big jump in breakdowns tomorrow morning as vehicles with older, less reliable batteries fail in the cold weather.
‘If drivers know their vehicle is sluggish to start, we recommend they book one of our mobile mechanics or take their car to a reputable garage as soon as possible.’
References
- ^ Stewart Carr (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Met Office (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Northern Ireland (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh (www.dailymail.co.uk)