Flood alerts issued amid Met Office warnings for heavy downpours and wind

22 February 2024 , 12:41

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Flooded road between Whittlesey and Thorney, near Peterborough, yesterday (Image: Paul Marriott)

Heavy downpours and strong gusts could bring flooding and disruption to parts of England and Wales as nearly 300 flood warnings are in place.

A yellow warning for rain has been actioned across the West Midlands, South Wales and south-west England until 2pm with some places forecast to see 20-30mm of rain, according to the Met Office. Flooding is being reported on many roads already and Great Western Railway (GWR) services have been disrupted near Totnes, in Devon, with limited services between Plymouth and Exeter St David's.

The warning states: "A band of heavy rain and squally winds will move east across South Wales and south-west England early on Thursday morning, with further heavy rain at times until early afternoon. Some places will see 10-15mm of rain within 2 hours and a few places could have 20-30mm of rain during the period of the warning."

It came as the 12-hour rainfall totals on Wednesday included 68mm that was recorded at Whitebarrow on Dartmoor and 63mm at Coniston Coppermines, Cumbria. Much of southern, central and eastern England is covered by a rain or wind warning meaning that "after what has been a wet February so far, further rain is on the way on Thursday, accompanied by some gusty winds", according to Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen.

Drivers make their way along water-logged country lanes in Oxfordshire (Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock)

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued 60 flood warnings - when flooding is expected - and 234 flood alerts, where flooding is possible. A band of rain that is expected to move east across England on Thursday, before clearing eastern England by early evening, means some regions should brace for possible flooding and disruption. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain covering the East Midlands, East of England, London and south-east England, and the South West and West Midlands from 5am to 5pm on Thursday.

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

It states: "Rain will be heavy at times and perhaps become more prolonged to give 3-6 hours of rain. Most places within the warning area will see 10-15mm of rainfall but a few places could see 30-40mm with this falling onto already saturated ground. Lightning and gusty winds are likely to be additional hazards, with a small chance of gusts around 50mph in a few places."

A yellow warning for wind is also in place for Thursday from 8am to 6pm, with "gusts of around 50mph in a few places very briefly, as well as some hail and thunder". The East of England, London, the South East and South West are the regions which have been urged to brace for "a small chance of disruption from strong winds". The wind warning also states: "There is a small chance of a broader swathe of very strong winds affecting southern and eastern England with gusts of 60 to 70mph, mostly likely close to English Channel and southern North Sea coasts.

Rachel Hagan