Homes put on flood alert as heavy rain lashes UK sparking a yellow weather warning with fears of travel chaos
BRITS have been issued multiple flood alerts as torrential rain threatens to cause chaos and travel disruption today.
Heavy rain and storms are expected to swamp some homes and businesses amid 11 flood alerts and Met Office yellow weather warnings.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings covering parts of western Scotland and Northern Ireland this morning.
It is expected up to 40mm of rain could fall in just two hours in western Scotland as a band of heavy rain moves eastwards throughout the day accompanied by strong gales.
In Northern Ireland rain is due to move across the northern regions where 40mm of rain is also expected to fall across a few hours.
Flood alerts have been issued in Dorset, the North Sea coast at Withernsea, Easington and Kilnsea, as well as the South Cornwall Coast from Lands End to Lizard Point and extending to Gribbin Head.
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The South Devon and Essex coasts will also be battered by storms.
Tidal Thames riverside from Putney Bridge to Teddington Weir, West Bay Harbour and the Wye Estuary in Gloucestershire have also been issued flood alerts.
The Met Office warns bus and train services are likely to be affected with journey times taking longer.
Travelling by car may also take longer as heavy rain will result in flooding and road spray.
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People in these areas have been advised to stay indoors as much as possible, and to keep away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences as, if these structures fall, they will collapse on this side.
Care should also be taken when driving on exposed routes such as bridges, or high open roads.
Stay safe in a storm
The Met Office advises people to:
- Secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown into windows and other glazing and break them
- Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house, and especially large doors such as those on garages
- Park vehicles in a garage, if available; otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences
- Close and secure loft trapdoors with bolts, particularly if roof pitch is less than 30°
- If the house is fitted with storm shutters over the windows then ensure that these are closed and fastened
- If chimney stacks are tall and in poor condition, move beds away from areas directly below them
- Be careful not to touch any electrical/telephone cables that have been blown down or are still hanging
- Do not walk too close to walls, buildings and trees as they could have been weakened
- Make sure that any vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe and help them make arrangements for any repairs
For northeast Scotland and southeast England the forecast is mostly dry.
This comes after Britain reached unseasonal temperature highs of 21C yesterday afternoon.
Forecasters predicted an Indian Summer – where a period of unusual warmth lasts late into the year following a brief cold snap.
And, despite the heavy rain predicted, temperatures are set to stay mild throughout with estimates in the high teens and low 20s into next week.
At the beginning of the week Stephen Dixon, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said: “Above average temperatures will continue through the week, although there will be a continued unsettled theme with periods of showers and high winds at times.
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“Looking at temperatures in isolation, they will continue to rise through the week and into the weekend, possibly reaching above 20C in the southeast on Saturday and Sunday.
“Temperatures of this nature aren’t unheard of in October, but they’re certainly unusual, especially later in the month.”