Storm Claudio wreaks havoc as Met Office issues yellow weather warnings for wind and flooding

Wet and gusty conditions are expected to linger as much of the nation continues to feel the effects of Storm Claudio.

The French storm brought plenty of wind and rain for the UK on Tuesday, with the Met Office warning much of the same is forecast for Wednesday.

A yellow warning for rain is in place for southern Scotland from 10am until 6pm and Northern Ireland from 8am until 3pm.

Those affected are urged to be aware of potential travel disruption and flooding as a result of the forecast downpours.

Chief meteorologist Neil Armstrong said: ’30 to 40mm of rain is expected to fall in some areas, and where it falls over ground already wet from recent rainfall as well as fallen leaves there may be spray and flooding on the roads as well as travel delays.’

Meanwhile, a yellow warning for wind will be active from 7am until 10pm, with the conditions expected to affect Irish Sea coastal areas early before spreading to parts of northern England.

The Met Office warns delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely while short-term loss of power is also a possibility.

Mr Armstrong added: ‘Much of the UK can expect a spell of strong southerly winds on Wednesday, but the warning area highlights where gusts of up to 65mph will be and therefore where there are likely to be some travel delays.’

The aftermath of Storm Claudio is set to bring more windy and wet weather to parts of the UK, with the Met Office issuing yellow weather warnings

Flash flooding also hit the south coast with a driver wading through high waters near Branksome Beach, Poole, Dorset today

Heavy rain and strong gusts are set to barrage Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern parts of Wales and England 

Commuters battled winds and rain as they headed to work yesterday in Westminster, central London

There are yellow weather warnings in place in Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern parts of England and Wales

Yesterday, a couple had to be rescued when their £150,000 yacht moored off Sandbanks capsized in gale force winds, as Storm Claudio brought winds in excess of 80mph across the south coast, toppling trees, battering buildings and leaving hundreds of homes without power.

The man and woman, aged in their 40s, were sleeping onboard the sailing yacht in Poole Harbour, Dorset, when its anchor broke loose at around 11.55pm on Monday, just as Storm Claudico hit the south coast.

An 80mph south westerly winds started to blow the 50ft long vessel, called ‘Juno Lucina’, towards the multi-million pound harbourside homes.

At one stage it was feared the yacht might crash into the private jetties of the mansions before its keel ran aground on a small sandbar, tipping it onto its side.

Earlier that evening, eight people had to be airlifted to safety from a sailing boat off the Cornish coast on Mondayin the ‘extremely rough and unpredictable’ weather.

The £150,000 luxury yacht’s (pictured) keel ran aground on a small sandbar in Poole, Dorset, tipping it onto its side due to the 80mph winds brought by Storm Claudico

The luxury yacht (circled) was stranded off Sandbanks in Poole Harbour this morning due to gusts of 80mph brought by Storm Claudico

The waves at Chesil beach, Dorset, were high this morning as Storm Claudio swept through the south of England in the early hours of Tuesday, bringing with it strong gusts and torrential rain

A section of Brighton’s iconic West Pier was destroyed during the storm. The pier, which now stands as a ruin after being closed to the public in 1975, has partially collapsed into the sea. 

A pre-school in Devon was evacuated on Tuesday afternoon after a suspected lightning strike. Fire services were called out to Willand Pre-school at 2.20pm on Tuesday after a small fire was found in an office there.

A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We were called to Willand Pre-School at 2.20pm due to a loud bang, possible lightning strike and a smell of burning. Two crews attended and investigated the building.

‘There was a small fire in a first-floor office, out on our arrival, believed to have been caused by a lightning strike on an external telephone cable. The building was evacuated, no reports of injuries.’

The windy weather also caused two giant baubles to bounce down London ‘s Tottenham Court Road  in the early hours of Tuesday morning .

The enormous baubles caused chaos amongst traffic with one appearing to blow into a moving car as the Met Office announced the arrival of Storm Claudio, which brought gales of up to 70mph in parts of the country.

They are reportedly part of an art installation by artist Tom Shannon which was due to remain on display in St Giles’ Square until Friday. 

Two massive baubles were seen rolling down the street in Tottenham Court Road, in the centre of London 

The baubles were seen causing chaos for traffic in the footage – and one appeared to bounce in to a car

The bizarre incident was filmed and shared on social media as high winds hit

The art installation by Tom Shannon which was meant to be on display from Monday 31 October until Friday 4 November in St Giles Square, Tottenham Court Road