Storm Chandra map: Where heavy rain and flooding hit UK after ‘danger to life’ warning issued
Storm Chandra caused weather chaos across much of the UK, with strong winds, heavy rain and snow; Its influence continued to cause major problems in some parts of the country.
A “major flood event” was declared in Somerset on Tuesday night by the local council, which said it was working with the Environment Agency and emergency services to support communities affected by heavy rain and extensive flooding overnight.
Storm Chandra set several new daily rainfall records in January, and dozens of flights were canceled in Scotland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday due to strong winds. Meanwhile, “terrible” floods have stranded vehicles and caused travel disruptions and school closures. A woman was taken to hospital after a tree fell on a car in the Snowhill Road area of Lisbellaw on Tuesday morning.
Following the storm, the Met Office issued clear weather warnings for ice covering England, Wales, Northern Ireland and southern and central Scotland on Wednesday morning.
The agency said: “Clearing skies Tuesday night will allow temperatures to drop below freezing just after midnight and into Wednesday morning. Following recent wet weather, icy patches are likely to form on some untreated surfaces.”
More rain on Thursday is forecast to cause further flooding and transport disruption in south-west England.
The Met Office has warned that fast-flowing or deep floodwaters are unlikely to pose a danger to life.
The Met Office said: “A band of rain will reach the south-west of England on Thursday afternoon and spread rapidly north-east across the remainder of the warning area in the evening. “The rain is only expected to last for a few hours anywhere but will be heavy at times.
“Another 10 to 20mm is probably quite wide and in wet spots, particularly on the moors, a further 20 to 40mm is possible and will fall on already saturated ground.”
