Severe Flooding Hits England and Wales
England faced a challenging start to the week with over 100 flood alerts and warnings issued on Monday morning, following extensive hours of relentless rainfall that swept across the nation. The weather, which had wreaked havoc through the weekend, is expected to give way to sunshine interspersed with scattered showers throughout the day.
As of 9 AM on Monday, four flood warnings and 14 flood alerts were active in Wales. The Met Office had previously issued an amber weather warning for heavy rain and potentially deep floodwater, which could pose a serious risk to life. This warning was in effect for regions across south and mid-Wales, spanning from Newport to Carmarthen and extending north to Brecon, covering the period from 3 PM on Sunday until 6 AM on Monday.
In England, 14 flood warnings and a staggering 97 flood alerts were recorded as of Monday morning. Additionally, in Wales, there were four flood alerts and 14 flood warnings still in place (Photo: Environment Agency). Yellow weather warnings for rain had been triggered for south-west England and large portions of south and mid-Wales, effective from midday on Sunday until 8 AM on Monday.
As of 6 AM, Natural Resources Wales reported seven flood warnings along with 30 flood alerts in effect. Met Office forecaster Craig Snell noted that the rain would gradually shift eastward across the UK, indicating that Monday would primarily be characterized by “sunshine and scattered showers.” He added, “By lunchtime on Monday, the rain band should have cleared most areas of the UK.” The forecaster anticipated a brighter day with reduced winds, particularly in the south, allowing temperatures to rise slightly. For instance, the south-east could see temperatures reach around 13 to 14 degrees Celsius.
Looking ahead, Snell indicated that Tuesday would also feature generally sunny spells accompanied by scattered showers. The Met Office anticipates that the prevailing westerly weather pattern will persist throughout the week, with the possibility of additional showers and longer periods of rain, along with windy conditions at times.
Essential Flood Preparedness Tips
It’s crucial to take swift action to prepare for potential flooding. Here are six simple steps to help safeguard your home or business:
- Check local flood advisories to stay informed about when and where flooding may occur.
- Ensure that mobile devices are fully charged.
- Park vehicles outside of flood-prone areas.
- Prepare a flood kit containing essential items to assist you in case of flooding.
- Store valuables in elevated locations, including electrical devices, important documents, and furniture.
- Turn off gas, water, and electricity supplies to prevent any hazards.
If you find yourself trapped in a building due to floodwaters, follow these crucial safety instructions:
- Move to the highest level of the building you are in.
- Avoid going into attic spaces to prevent being trapped by rising water.
- Only go to the roof if absolutely necessary.
- Call emergency services and wait for assistance.
The weather service had cautioned on Sunday about the dangers posed by fast-flowing or deep floodwater, highlighting the potential for delays and cancellations in train and bus services. The Environment Agency urged the public not to attempt driving through floodwaters, explaining that just 30 cm of flowing water is sufficient to float most vehicles, and encouraged individuals to sign up for free flood warnings.
Andrew Morgan, the leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council, remarked that Sunday had been a “close call” as thousands of sandbags were distributed to vulnerable areas. He reported that hundreds of homes and businesses had previously suffered flooding during Storm Bert in November.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges faced, Morgan expressed gratitude for the efforts of local crews and contractors on standby throughout the day. He noted, “While there have been isolated incidents related to culverts, the majority of calls have pertained to surface water flooding and issues on highways. Today has been a close call concerning potential river flooding in some regions. I plan to discuss this with Natural Resources Wales in the days to come.”
Sarah Cook, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, emphasized that the heavy and persistent rains had created a risk of significant inland flooding in parts of south and mid-Wales. She warned that localized flooding could also occur in south-west England and Cumbria on Monday morning. Cook advised the public to plan their journeys carefully and to avoid driving through floodwaters, as they can often be deeper than they appear.
Additional reporting by PA Media
