Floods have placed the UK on alert, with several hundred warnings currently active across the country. Heavy rain has descended in the wake of last week’s snow, forcing the Met Office and Environment Agency to respond.
Officials from the two organisations have warned that people should expect rising water levels to invade homes and make travel difficult through this morning (Tuesday, December 5). The Met Office has issued two yellow alerts, one for ice and another for heavy rain.
The agency has warned that heavy rain will tip out between 20mm and 40mm (0.7 to 1.1 inches) of rain widely, with some totals reaching 50mm to 70mm (two to 2.7 inches). The rainfall could cause flooding “of a few homes and businesses” and delay bus, train and car journeys.
The Environment Agency has expanded on the warnings with a few dozen of its own. The organisation has issued 70 warnings for England this morning, indicating flooding is expected, and an additional 182 alerts stating it is “possible”.
The 252 total notices are scattered across the country, and flood maps show swelling rivers spilling out into UK communities. People have been advised to create a flood plan and prepare for the worst as the rain appears set to continue for the rest of this week.
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