Somerset floods: Major clean up operation underway
Emergency rest centres have been opened and some roads, schools and shops have been shut due to the flooding. Ian Withers, from the Environment Agency, said there was "a huge amount of water" in the rivers and the systems saying it is impossible to predict where the intense showers will fall. He said: "So the message for us, our partners and communities is to think we could be the victims of this type of rain, and with climate change, that is more likely to happen, so we need to make our homes, businesses or travel plans more resilient."
The Met Office said that over the month of January, the south of the UK had been wetter than the north, which is not normally the case.It said conditions were improving with "a quieter spell of weather" due from Thursday.
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Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Thunderstorms to batter the UK with flash flooding, hail, lightning and half a month's worth of rain today (but there'll still be a hosepipe ban)
Most of Britain was on thunderstorm watch today as up to half a month's rain could fall with forecasters warning summer storms are set to bring flash flooding. England and Scotland could see up to 40mm (1.6in) of rain in just two hours, while Northern Ireland will be worst hit where 75mm (3in) may accumulate in 18 hours. It comes as the third major hosepipe ban of summer began today, with Southern Water activating restrictions for households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This follows a ban from South East Water in Kent and Sussex since last Friday, and in the Yorkshire Water area since July 11. A fourth ban from Thames Water begins tomorrow in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and parts of Berkshire. Despite three consecutive days of heavy rain, forecasters say this will do little to replenish groundwater reserves because it is running off very dry surfaces too fast to penetrate – and therefore the downpours are not enough to lift hosepipe bans. Yorkshire Water confirmed its restrictions will only be lifted when 'reservoir and groundwater levels return to where we need them to be', adding that the region would require 'a few months of wet weather rather than intermittent rainfall'. Parts of the UK will experience heavy, thundery downpours today, with an amber weather warning for rain in place until 8am for the east of Northern Ireland. Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge, said: 'It looks like Northern Ireland is the place where we could see the most rainfall and certainly the most impactful rainfall. 'They could see 50 to 75mm of rain within 12 to 18 hours.' The country records an average of 89mm of rain in July, meaning more than half a month's rainfall could hit Northern Ireland in less than a day. Forecasters have warned of a risk of flash flooding in County Antrim, Armagh and Down as the heavy showers are set to batter the country. Meanwhile, parts of England and Scotland could see 20mm to 40mm of rain in just two hours today. From 3am until 9pm today, the South and East of England are covered by a yellow thunderstorm warning. By 11am the same warning will be in place for the Midlands, northern England and Scotland. More than 11 flood alerts remain active in England and 15 in Scotland. Where there is flooding or lightning, the Met Office has warned of a chance of delays and some cancellations to trains and buses. There is also a small chance of power cuts and of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life. 'We could see some locally heavy downpours, 20 to 40mm of rain is possible in a couple of hours,' Mr Partridge said. 'That is potentially up to around half a month's worth of rain in a couple of hours in some places. 'You will see quite a lot of water on the roads and difficult driving conditions. 'Hopefully nothing more significant than that, it certainly won't be an issue for any of the rivers because they are quite low.' Low pressure and humid, moist air across the country will cause the heavy, thundery showers, but even within the warning areas some places will stay dry, the Met Office said. 'There is a good chance of seeing some lightning and some hail, with some gusty winds as well,' Mr Partridge said. The rest of the week is set to be changeable, with showers likely tomorrow and thundery downpours possible in the South East of England on Wednesday. Temperatures this week will be around average for the time of year. The wet weather comes after a dry and hot spring and three heatwaves so far this summer which left four regions of England in drought. England recorded its driest March to June period since 1893, according to the Environment Agency, and dry ground can make flooding more likely as it is unable absorb as much water. Today, Southern Water became the latest company to activate a hosepipe ban, to protect rare chalk stream habitat in response to the driest start to the year since 1976 for England. The company said restrictions were being imposed on hosepipes for activities such as watering gardens, filling paddling pools or washing cars. The move aims to protect the Test and Itchen chalk streams, which supply most of the area's water, but are at 'critically low levels', down 24% on normal flows for the time of year, Southern Water said. Rainfall across England was 20 per cent less than the long-term average for June, which was also the hottest on record for the country, with two heatwaves driving unusually high demand for water, the Environment Agency has said. Drought was declared in East and West Midlands last Tuesday, with the region joining swathes of northern England in drought status. Southern Water's water managing director Tim McMahon said: 'We're sorry we're taking this step, but as other water companies have already done, we have to respond to the widespread and prolonged dry weather affecting our region. 'In our case, this means a hosepipe ban for our customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to protect the health of our amazing chalk streams, which as one of the rarest habitats on earth has been compared to the Amazon Rainforest. 'We must act now to support the wildlife that live there, including Atlantic salmon and southern damselfly.' He said the company has been working '24/7' to find and fix leaks, and ensuring the network is working as efficiently as possible, but it is 'not enough', and he urged customers to help to reduce use by adhering to the ban.
The Independent
41 minutes ago
- The Independent
The areas set for half a month's worth of rainfall in less than a day
The Met Office issued amber-level rain warnings for the eastern counties of Northern Ireland, including Antrim, Armagh, and Down, from Sunday evening into Monday morning. Northern Ireland is forecast to receive 50 to 75mm of rain within 12 to 18 hours, which is over half of the region's average July rainfall. The heavy rainfall poses risks of flooding, power cuts, dangerous driving conditions, and the potential for some communities to be cut off by flooded roads. A wider yellow weather warning for rain remains in place across Northern Ireland, with similar thunderstorm warnings affecting parts of Wales, South-West England, Scotland, and other areas of England. Disruption to the Monday morning commute is expected, and residents are advised to check flood risks and take precautions to protect their properties.
The Sun
42 minutes ago
- The Sun
UK weather: Met Office issues fresh danger to life warning as thunder & rain to batter huge swathe of country today
A FRESH danger to life warning has been put out as more thunder and rain is set to batter the UK again today. The Met Office forecasted "heavy showers and thunderstorms" for today, with flooding and power cuts likely. 7 7 7 7 Four weather warnings are in place across the country. Much of the South East of England is covered by a yellow storm warning, covering large towns and cities such as Portsmouth, Brighton and London. Another yellow warning is in place for the Midlands, North and most of Scotland. Half of Northern Ireland is either covered by a yellow warning or a more serious amber alert. This means the stormy weather is a "danger to life". Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, and some communities will be cut off by flooded roads. There may also be delays and some cancellations to train and bus services, along with power cuts. The amber warning is in place from 11pm Sunday to 8am today. The yellow weather warnings covering England and Scotland are in place until 9pm tonight. It reads: "Heavy showers and scattered thunderstorms may cause some localised flooding and transport disruption on Monday. "Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services." 5-Day forecast for the UK Today: A cloudy, damp start, particularly for the southeast and across Northern Ireland where heavy rain is expected during the morning. Brighter elsewhere, though showers soon return; heavy, thundery, and with a risk of hail by the afternoon. Tonight: Further outbreaks of rain across central and northern areas, heaviest and most persistent in the northwest. Drier in the south and east with a few isolated showers. Tuesday: Rain across western Scotland eases through the day. Elsewhere a mixture of sunny spells and scattered, possibly thundery showers, mainly in the east. Feeling warm in any sunny spells. Wednesday to Friday: Sunny spells and scattered showers remain the theme this week as low pressure continues to bring unsettled conditions. Less showers, more sunshine by Thursday, with temperatures around the seasonal average. Power cuts could hit some areas, and buildings could be damaged from floodwater. The Met Office forecast reads: "Scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected on Monday." For the Midlands and the North, "rainfall amounts will vary from place to place but in some locations 20-40 mm is possible within a couple of hours". For the South East, 30-50 mm is expected to drench the area. "Heavy downpours of rain will be the primary hazard, but lightning strikes are also likely along with the potential for hail and gusty winds." Householders are advised to check the weather conditions before travelling and changing their plans if necessary. Trampolines, bins and other garden furniture should be packed away or buckled down. The forecaster added: "If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter(such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground." Chief Meteorologist, Andy Page, said: 'A band of very heavy rain will pivot over Northern Ireland during Sunday night, bringing totals of possibly 50-75 mm in just a short period of time. This high intensity rainfall can lead to flooding, with impacts on properties, transport networks and power outages. 'The heavy rain comes at the start of a new working week so expect disruption to the Monday morning commute and check the flood risk in your area to protect your property.' 7 7 7
