Storm Chandra map: Where heavy rain and flooding hit UK as Met Office issues two more weather warnings
Storm Chandra has caused weather chaos this week as high winds, heavy rain and snow lashed much of the UK, with the Met Office issuing yellow warnings until Friday.
Fears are intensifying that heavy rains could lead to the worst flooding in more than a decade as forecasters predict further flooding on Thursday and Friday.
While dozens of flood warnings remain in place across the UK, a major incident has also been declared in Somerset as a result of disruption caused by rainfall earlier in the week.
Lesley and John Parker, a retired couple based in the Somerset Levels, said conditions were the worst they had seen since their home was devastated by flooding in 2014, when 3ft of water inside the house forced them to evacuate.
More rain on Thursday is forecast to lead to further flooding and transport disruptions; Storm Chandra has already broken several new daily rainfall records for January.
Longer journey times and cancellations are expected to affect road, rail, air and ferry services, as well as lead to the closure of some roads and bridges.
The Met Office said: “A band of rain will arrive in Cornwall on Thursday afternoon, then move north-east across the warning area throughout the evening, clearing in the early hours of Friday.
“The rain is only likely to last for a few hours anywhere but will be heavy at times. A further 10-15mm of rain is expected fairly widely, but some places in the south of the region are likely to see 20-25mm. The likelihood of these rainfall amounts being impacted is higher than normal due to saturated ground and ongoing flooding following Storm Chandra.”
The yellow weather warning for Thursday applies to London and South East England, as well as South West England.
Earlier this week, a lorry driver died after crashing into a river in the New Forest on Tuesday following Storm Chandra.
A “major flood event” was declared in Somerset on Tuesday by Somerset Council, the Environment Agency and emergency services, who are working closely to support communities affected by heavy rain and overnight flooding.
There are two yellow weather warnings for rain across Northern Ireland, London and parts of South East England and South West England on Friday.
There is a small chance that homes and businesses in Ireland will be flooded and some communities will be cut off by flooded roads. The Met Office also warned that power outages and other services being disrupted were unlikely.
The forecast service said: “Heavy rain will impact Northern Ireland on Thursday night and Friday. While the wettest conditions are likely in Antrim and Down, there is the potential for 10-25mm of rainfall in many areas and 40-60mm in some hills. The rain will be accompanied by strong south-easterly winds, particularly on Thursday night and early Friday.”
Here is the Met Office’s four-day forecast for the UK:
Thursday:
It is quite cloudy and windy, with light rain and snowfall continuing in the northeast, giving way to showers towards the southwest. Some bright breaks developing elsewhere.
Outlook from Friday to Sunday:
Friday looks unsettled due to strong winds. A very cloudy sky brings the beginning of rain for many. It gets brighter and less breezy for most over the weekend, although intermittent showers remain.
