Barely a week after Storm Goretti, the UK is again set to face a bombardment of awful weather as Met Office officials slap warnings on large swathes of the country
Storm-bashed Britain is bracing for mass floods, barely a week after the nation was hammered by killer Storm Goretti. Met Office officials have slapped rain and flood warnings on 23 areas of the nation – which are now also facing blackouts as monsoon-style rain is set to strike.
More than half of a standard January’s rainfall was expected to have battered parts of the UK by the end of yesterday.
An initial yellow warning from the weather watchers covered London and southern England until 10pm last night.
But experts have now warned heavy rain falling on already-soaked ground is set to unleash a floody nightmare on the nation.
Warnings now also include the Midlands, south west and eastern England.
The Met Office said: “An area of low pressure will migrate north-eastwards across England on Thursday.
“Whilst the exact track is uncertain, rain will become persistent and heavy through the day, before clearing to the north through the evening and night.
“Accumulations of 20-30mm are expected fairly widely, in some places falling in just a few hours, with the potential for 40-50mm in a few isolated spots. “Given the saturated ground, this may lead to some surface water flooding.”
Residents are being advised to prepare a flood plan and emergency kit if their homes are classed at risk from water.
They say mobile phone battery packs are among the essentials needed if floods strike, and there are also warnings to avoid travelling around a flood hotspot.
In Surrey, the Rivery Wey at Elstead and Eashing has been deemed especially at risk of flooding.
The government said the River Wey level at Tilford had reached 1.79m (5ft 10in) by yesterday. (THURS) Property flooding becomes possible once levels rise above 1.74m (5ft 8.5in).
Amber and yellow warnings are in place for parts of Scotland, while the Met Office has issued further yellow warnings for Northern Ireland and parts of south Wales and south west England. A yellow warning for rain is in force for most of the north east of Scotland until 11.59pm tonight. (FRI) The Met Office says homes and businesses are likely to face flooding in the more affected areas, with delays or cancellations to public transport, while some communities may be cut off. ScotRail has imposed speed restrictions for its Perth to Inverness route until 9.30am on Saturday, and its Aberdeen to Inverness routes until 12pm on Friday. Ferry operator CalMac yesterday (THURS) axed all Oban-Coll-Tiree services and said other services may be subject to cancellations or delays at short notice. Police Scotland have advised drivers to take care when travelling while the weather warnings are in place.