Met Office issues new weather warning map showing where rain and ice will hammer country amid flood chaos fear
- UK faces flood chaos on Thursday with up to three inches of rain in south west
The Met Office has issued a new weather warning map showing where rain and ice will hammer the county tomorrow, after a train line was cut off this morning from a landslide caused by heavy rain.
Parts of Scotland, including Edinburgh, have today been issued with a yellow weather warning for ice, to be followed by heavy rainfall tomorrow.
Flooding has hit the southwest and midlands regions, with over 100 elderly people rescued overnight from a waterlogged caravan park in Somerset.
Heavy rain caused a landslip over the Crewkerne Tunnel, also in Somerset. As a result, trains between southwest England and London[2] have been cancelled until Monday while the line undergoes essential repairs.
Over one and a half inches (40mm) of rain could hit the southern Peak District tomorrow between 12pm to 8pm, with 10-20mm likely across much of the midlands.
The Met Office[3] has issued a yellow rain warning across swathes of England, Scotland, Wales throughout tomorrow, saying people should expect travel disruption.
Swans made the most of flooding in Worcester town centre this morning after the River Severn burst its banks
The landslip above Crewkerne Tunnel in Somerset has put a stop to all trains between Exeter and London until next Monday as the line undergoes repairs
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across swathes of England, Scotland, Wales tomorrow, saying that people should expect travel disruption
A yellow weather warning for ice covers a large part of Scotland and north east England today, while Northern ireland is blighted by rainfall
Over one and a half inches (40mm) of rain could hit the southern Peak District tomorrow between 12pm to 8pm, with 10-20mm likely across much of the midlands.
A 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. There are dozens of flood warnings in place across England
A hardy walker enjoys the foggy conditions in Richmond Park, southwest London, this morning
Cyclists braved the brisk temperatures as they passed through Richmond Park this morning
Flooding along the River Severn in Worcester this morning at Browns at the Quay, along South Parade and Severn Way
The flooding in Worcester saw a bevy of swans make their first trip along the street this morning
Roads and car parks in York city centre were submerged after the river Ouse burst its banks
Flooding in York this morning, where the River Ouse has broken its banks – rising to 3.01m
A cyclist rides by the river Avon during a bright and frosty morning in St Nicholas’ Park in Warwick
Temperatures hit minus 6 degrees at Great Longstone, Derbyshire, with the fields cloaked in frost
A deer crosses over a road in rural Derbyshire, where temperatures fell as low as -6C
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
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.
The forecaster also issued warnings for Northern Ireland[4] today 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[5] and north east Scotland.
Flooding has been reported in the midlands today, with a bevy of swans spotted swimming along the submerged high street in Worcester after the River Severn burst its banks.
Elsewhere this morning, severe rain caused a landslip on a rail line above Crewkerne Tunnel in Somerset and major road closures which will see motorists and trains delayed until next week.
There are no trains in and out of Devon and Cornwall due to flooded train tracks.
Though many roads are now open and most services have returned to normal, the landslip above Crewkerne Tunnel in Somerset means Network Rail engineers must undergo repairs.
Motorists have also been informed a major Somerset road will be affected for days by problems caused by flash flooding.
National Highways set up a road closure on the A303 between the A3088 (Cartgate) and A359 (Sparkford).
Network Rail and South Western Rail (SWR) are urging customers not to attempt to travel between Salisbury and Exeter until Monday, December 11.
Matt Pocock, Network Rail Wessex route director, said: ‘I would like to say how sorry we are for the disruption passengers are experiencing following a landslip at Crewkerne tunnel.
‘We’ve experienced over 90mm of sustained heavy rain over the past 48 hours and this has resulted in movement in the earth on the cutting above the tunnel entrance which, if action isn’t taken, could spill over onto the tracks and risk the safety of passenger services.’
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.
Heavy rain caused a landslip above the Crewkerne Tunnel in Somerset, meaning Network Rail engineers must undergo repairs
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 the 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.
The Environment Agency has 49 flood warnings – where flooding is expected – in place across England, mainly in Dorset, Somerset and across the Midlands.
There were a further 174 flood alerts, where flooding is considered possible.
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.’
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)
- ^ London (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Met Office (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Northern Ireland (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh (www.dailymail.co.uk)