New Year flood misery with over 200 warnings and alerts

31 December 2023 , 13:26

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A car drives through a flooded road in Wiltshire as heavy rain and winds batter the UK with more weather warnings issued (Image: Tom Wren SWNS)

More than 200 flood warnings and alerts are in place across the country as wild weather threatens the UK's New Year party. Yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for parts of the country, bringing high winds and lashings of rain.

Local flooding is expected on Sunday across many parts of the country as rivers and brooks reach bursting point and surface water builds. It won't end there with more widespread river flooding expected across England on Monday and Tuesday.

There are currently 176 flood alerts in force and 42 flood warnings. These have been issued by the Environment Agency which warns roads, land and some properties could flood. Many people are already experiencing travel misery on the trains and should expect more of the same over the coming 48 hours.

The Environment Agency says: "Local flooding is probable from surface water in parts of the North of England on Sunday and into Monday morning and is also probable for parts of the River Severn in the West Midlands today until Thursday.

Eurostar Delays day 2 as trains start to run after a day without service due to flooding (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

"Local flooding from rivers and surface water is also possible across parts of the North of England, the Midlands and South West England today, and more widely across England on Monday and Tuesday, with some river flooding impacts possibly continuing into Wednesday.

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"Local groundwater flooding is possible in parts of the South of England, Yorkshire and the Humber throughout the next five days. Land, roads and some properties could flood and there could be travel disruption."

The 42 flood warnings cover areas including Devon, Somerset, York and the Midlands. A flood warning means flooding is expected and you should take precautions like moving vehicles to higher ground if necessary.

The Met Office have issued two flood warnings in York, after Yorkshire was hit by strong winds and heavy rain from Storm Gerrit (Yorkshire Post / SWNS)

The 176 flood alerts cover much of the rest of England. A flood alert means you need to prepare as flooding is possible.

The Met Office has already issued new weather warnings for a New Year's Eve washout. You can check where the high winds will hit here.

Overnight there were reports of strong winds causing damage and felling trees in Devon. In the South East Eurostar services have resumed after thousands of people were left stranded due to chaos caused by a flooded tunnel.

Northern Trains has issued a do not travel notice for today on links from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge, Morecambe and Heysham to Lancaster, Oxenholme to Windermere, Preston to Colne and Clitheroe to Bolton. Thameslink services are also hit due to staff shortages.

Severe weather is also impacting some Transport for Wales services. That is expected to continue into New Year's Day.

Paul Greaves