UK flood updates — Met Office releases multiple yellow weather warnings as West Sussex flooding leaves one in hospital
Flood warning for River Severn at Severn Ham, Tewkesbury
A flood warning has been issued for the River Severn at Severn Ham in Tewkesbury. The government said in a statement on their flooding service page: “River levels are continuing to rise at the Mythe Bridge river gauge as a result of heavy rainfall. “Consequently, flooding of property, roads and farmland is possible.
“We expect flooding to affect properties and roads in and around Severn Ham, Tewkesbury.”
What is a yellow weather warning?
To help prepare people for potentially dangerous or disruptive weather, the Met Office provides colour-coded warnings[1] to try and keep the public informed. They issue warnings ahead of severe or hazardous weather which has the potential to cause “damage, widespread disruption and/or danger to life[2].” The warnings are given a colour to reflect the seriousness, ranging from yellow, amber and red.
Yellow is the least dangerous out of the weather warnings – it means “be aware”. Severe weather is possible over the next few days and could affect you. This potentially means cancelling plans, having to deal with travel delays, road and rail closures, interruption to power and the potential risk to life and property.
In pictures: Floods hit Hampshire
Floods hit Langstone Highstreet in Havant, Hampshire this morning amid heavy rain and winds across the UK.
Credit: Paul Jacobs
Credit: Paul Jacobs
Credit: Paul Jacobs
Is your area affected?
The following areas have a yellow weather warning for rain until 6pm this evening:
- Angus
- Clackmannanshire
- Dundee
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Dumfries and Galloway
- East Lothian
- Edinburgh
- Midlothian Council
- Scottish Borders
- West Lothian
- East Ayrshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- East Renfrewshire
- Glasgow
- North Ayrshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Renfrewshire
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- West Dunbartonshire
Residents told to stay inside
Residents have been told to stay in their properties and “get as high as possible within their homes”.
Julie Everitt, 67, was “petrified” as flood water rushed into her front garden up to her door, while two toilet bowls floated down her road. The OAP said: “I was petrified because I was out in the front garden just to see how far it was coming up. “All of a sudden, there was a surge.
My garden was flooded and I was about two inches deep, treading in it – the smell as well. “There was lots of debris everywhere where it all floated in and there’s loads of dead worms. “There’s a yard over the road and there are two toilet cisterns sitting there.”
Make sure to charge battery packs
Power cuts can be a common effect amid storm conditions, especially in remote areas.
Battery packs should be put on standby in advance and fully-charged, to keep available useful products such as mobile phones and USB torches.
Advice on what to do during power cuts was shared as Britain faced possible “blackouts” last winter.
References
- ^ Met Office provides colour-coded warnings (www.thesun.ie)
- ^ danger to life (www.thesun.ie)