Forecaster issues with amber and yellow warnings, saying torrential rain could cause ‘fast-flowing or deep floodwater’. A period of torrential rain will cause danger to life from fast-flowing or deep floodwater in parts of the UK, forecasters say. The Met Office has issued an amber rain warning for south and mid-Wales from Newport to Carmarthen and north to Brecon between 3pm on Sunday and 6am on Monday.
A prolonged downpour, caused by large area of low pressure moving in from the Atlantic, is “likely to cause some flooding and disruption later today and overnight into Monday”, the warning said. It said that up to 100mm (4in) of rain in some places would lead to “fast-flowing or deep floodwater … causing danger to life” and possible delays and cancellations to train and bus services.
The Met Office said there was a good chance some communities would be cut off by flooded roads and that “homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings”. The Environment Agency told motorists not to try to drive through floodwater and urged people to sign up with the agency for free flood warnings.
Its flood duty manager, Sarah Cook, said: “Heavy and persistent rain brings a risk of significant inland flooding in parts of south and mid-Wales. “Localised flooding is also possible in the south-west of England and in Cumbria today and tomorrow morning.
“Impacts could include river flooding and surface water flooding from urban watercourses, drains and channels. Please plan journeys carefully and do not drive through floodwater. It is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”.
The Met Office has also issued a series of less severe yellow warnings for wind and rain covering much of the UK including Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, northern England, south-west England and the West Midlands. Sign up to First Edition. Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters.
after newsletter promotion. Gusts of up 60mph (100kmph) are expected widely and in some places could reach 70mph. The severe weather is expected to ease during Sunday night, with conditions to improve in the following days. Zoe Hutin, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said there was “quite severe weather coming in from the west” with very strong winds and that Sunday looked to be the worst of the next few days.
