‘Danger to life’ warning for elements of UK as Met Office points new amber alerts
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy rain in parts of Wales, with several yellow warnings also in place across the UK due to flooding and transport disruption
An amber rain warning posing “danger to life” has been issued in parts of Wales, alongside several yellow warnings across the UK. The Met Office has forecast heavy rainfall in south and south-west Wales, with widespread predictions of 50mm to 80mm and nearly 100mm in some areas.
The amber warning, which began at 3am and continues until 9pm on Monday (December 15), suggests that homes and businesses are likely to be flooded and some communities could be isolated.
Yellow rain warnings have been issued for regions of north-east, north-west and south-west England, the East Midlands, the West Midlands and Wales.
The Environment Agency (EA) has issued seven warnings indicating expected flooding, including in parts of the Lake District. Additionally, there are 79 active EA alerts suggesting possible flooding.
In its amber warning, the Met Office stated: “Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses (is) likely. Fast-flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life.”
It further noted: “Given the recent wet weather and saturated ground, the likelihood of impacts is higher.”
A yellow rain warning remains in effect for the East Midlands, the West Midlands, north-east and north-west England and parts of Wales until 11.59pm on Monday.
The Met Office warned that fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a risk to life in these areas. Forecasters have warned that heavy rain may disrupt travel, isolate communities and result in power cuts.
The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for the South West, encompassing Devon and Plymouth, in effect until 11.59pm on Monday.
Another warning is active from 6am on Monday to 3am on Tuesday for north-east England and Yorkshire. Parts of north-west Wales are also under a yellow warning until 3pm on Monday.
In its amber warning, the Met Office advised: “Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions.
“If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously.”
Areas affected by amber warning
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
Areas affected by yellow warning
- Derbyshire
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Cheshire East
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Greater Manchester
- Halton
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- Warrington
- Flintshire
- Wrexham
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
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