The UK is braced for significant flooding as amber and yellow thunderstorm warnings have been issued across Britain. The Environment Agency has also placed 30 orange flood alerts across England, meaning “flooding is possible so you should prepare now”. Torrential rain could lead to surface water flooding which can impact homes and businesses, according to the Met Office, while fast-flowing or deep water can cause a danger to life.
The amber warning has been issued for London and the South East and East of England until 11am on Saturday. Brits have been warned that some communities may be cut off if roads flood, with disruption to public transport expected and power cuts likely. Yellow thunderstorm warnings, which includes heavy rain, have been issued for the majority of the UK until 9pm on Saturday. The flooding of homes and businesses may happen quickly, with delays or cancellations to train and buses more than likely.
A yellow rain warning has also been issued by the Met Office from 4pm today until noon tomorrow, which means heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms may cause flooding.
The same warning has been put in place from noon tomorrow until 3am on Monday, with a small chance of power cuts and localised flooding.
Accumulations of 20-40 mm are possible in just one hour, the weather forecaster says, and where heavy downpours persist then as much as 70-100 mm could accumulate in just a few hours.
The Met Office is urging Brits to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous conditions, and to call 999 if you are affected by fast flowing or deep-water.
Full list:
Amber thunderstorm warning until 11am
- London, and the South East
- East of England
Yellow thunderstorm warning until 9pm
- London and South East England
- East of England
- North East England
- North West England
- South West England
- East Midlands
- West Midlands
- Yorkshire and Humber
Yellow rain warning from 4pm today (19 July) until noon tomorrow
- Central, Tayside and Fife
- Grampian
- Highlands & Eilean Siar
- South West Scotland, Lothian Borders
- Strathclyde
- North East England
- North West England
Yellow rain warning from noon tomorrow until 3am Monday