Bonfire Night weather washout fears with 200 flood alerts and warnings in place

04 November 2023 , 19:45

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Somerset Levels on Saturday (Image: Graham Hunt/BNPS)

Plans for

are going up in smoke across the nation as waterlogged ground makes many events a washout.

Nearly 200 flood alerts and warnings remained in place last night – but brighter weather is on the way. Bonfire revellers can hope to stay dry with no Met Office rain warnings for the first time in days. But downpours from Storm Ciaran have stopped many events due to ground conditions.

Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said: “Generally speaking Sunday will be a brighter day for all across the country. Monday and Tuesday will also see more of a focus on sunny spells and showers.” But he warned that after last week’s Storm Ciaran, the ground is still saturated in many places, meaning even a small amount of rain could cause flooding.

People sheltering at London's Piccadilly Circus (PA)

Up to 40mm of rain was forecast in the South from Dorset to Kent on Saturday. And saturated ground means even a little rain could cause flooding. The Environment Agency said: “When catchments are full of water it will rise quickly. You think you’re having a bit of rain then suddenly it’s coming in your door.”

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

Storm Ciaran moved from the UK into the North Sea and its southern edge caused devastation in parts of Italy, where a state of emergency was declared in Tuscany. Officials said six people died and two were missing after rivers in Tuscany burst their banks following torrential rain.

In total, reports suggest Storm Ciaran claimed at least 16 lives in Western Europe. And more weather chaos was forecast on the continent yesterday, with Storm Domingos set to hit northern Spain and western France, bringing heavy rain and gusts of more than 60mph.

Nicola Small