Sunday, January 26, 2014

More rain hits already flooded areas

UK weather: More rain hits already flooded areas

Flooding in East Lyng, Somerset Parts of the village of East Lyng in Somerset were flooded on Sunday

Heavy rain has swept across western parts of the UK, bringing a further risk of flooding to some areas left struggling after recent storms.

The rain has now moved to eastern parts of the country, which will see heavy rain through the afternoon.

Forecasters also issued an amber warning of rain for the Somerset Levels, warning of further flooding.

The heaviest rain has fallen in Wales, where some 22mm (0.9in) fell in the past 12 hours.

BBC forecasters said persistent rain had now cleared but there were bands of showery rain following behind the main rain area.

'Lightning and tornadoes'

It comes after storms hit the Midlands on Saturday evening, with buildings struck by lightning and property damaged.

There were also reports of "mini-tornadoes" in parts of Surrey and Warwickshire, with one so strong it brought down trees and even lifted cats into the air.

The Met Office had earlier issued a yellow warning for rain in south-west England until 14:00 GMT.

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has 11 flood warnings for southern England - the majority in western parts - indicating flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

Forecasters said between 10 and 20mm (0.5-1in) of rain was expected to fall on the Somerset Levels on Sunday.

It comes after a "major incident" was declared there on Friday, with the council asking the armed forces to consider helping villagers who had been cut off. A water-pumping operation is also continuing.

Farmer Graham Walker said his village had been cut off for some time.

"We've been on an island now for just over three weeks, he said.

"We've got a boat provided by the council, run by the fire brigade which is an absolute godsend and that gets people out... schoolchildren can get to school, people to work but it's getting a bit tedious now."

Meanwhile, more than 140 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - have also been issued, with more than half of them in the South East of England.

Somerset levels A major pumping operation is continuing in Somerset, which is expected to see further flooding
Weather conditions made driving difficult on many routes including here on the A9 south of Aviemore Conditions made driving difficult on some routes, including on the A9 south of Aviemore in the Highlands
Groundsmen tend to the pitch at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground ahead of their FA cup tie with Fulham Groundsmen tend to the pitch at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground ahead of their FA cup tie with Fulham
Lightning bolts also struck houses in Wollescote, Stirchley and Northfield. Lightning struck several buildings in the Midlands on Saturday
Damaged properties in Warwickshire Five properties were damaged in Warwickshire as a "mini tornado" ripped through part of the area
Procession cancelled

In other developments:

The poor weather is affecting travel in some parts:

Travel news: Choose an area

The Met Office also has yellow warnings - the lowest of its three alert levels - in place for rain, with southern parts, including London, seeing heavy downfalls.

Much of Scotland and Northern Ireland are being hit by strong winds, while Scotland and northern England are seeing snow.

Some of the weather warnings continue into Monday.

Are you in the areas where there are weather warnings? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.


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