UK weather: strong wind warning issued as England and Wales cope with floods

The Met Office has alerted the public about strong winds expected on Sunday while some regions are still dealing with the aftermath of heavy rain and flooding. On Friday morning, flooding caused significant disruptions to train services in England and Wales and resulted in the M5 motorway being shut down in both directions in Gloucestershire.

The Environment Agency warned motorists that their vehicles might be carried away in just 30 centimeters (12 inches) of water, as over 60 flood alerts were announced across England following a night of heavy rain, with more rain expected.

According to the Environment Agency, approximately 385 properties experienced flooding in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Kent, and the surrounding counties.

An amber rain warning that had been in effect for certain areas in the Midlands and southern regions of the UK, along with a yellow rain warning that covered much of England and Wales, were both lifted on Friday. However, the Met Office has now released a yellow warning for strong winds, which could lead to disturbances in the south-west of England and Wales this Sunday.

Winds could reach speeds of 55 mph (90 km/h) in some locations, while the most exposed regions may experience gusts over 60 mph.

On Friday, travelers in certain areas of England experienced interruptions to both road and rail services. Social media photos revealed train tracks at a station in Shropshire entirely covered in water, while deserted vehicles were seen stranded on a vacant highway in Gloucestershire.

On Friday afternoon, Emma Hardy, the floods minister, held a meeting with Philip Duffy, the chief executive of the Environment Agency, to talk about how to address the recent flooding situation.

She stated, “Every flooding situation is tragic for those impacted. As we address this incident, it's important that we quickly gain insights from it to enhance the safety of homes and businesses in the future.”

We should commend the emergency responders and volunteers from all over the country for their hard work. However, with additional rain anticipated in the upcoming weeks, I encourage everyone to register for information on flood preparedness.

Duffy stated, “I’m thinking of those impacted this week, and we will keep doing everything we can to assist with their recovery from the flooding. I’d like to express my gratitude to the teams from the Environment Agency and our partners for their dedicated work this week.”

"We are increasing our commitment to fixing and maintaining our flood protection systems and collaborating with communities nationwide to get ready for more rainy weather this fall."

Caroline Douglass, the executive director at the Environment Agency for flood and coastal erosion, warned drivers to avoid driving through areas of the road that are flooded.

During an appearance on BBC Radio 4's Today show, she advised: "Avoid the temptation to drive through flooded areas, as just 30cm of water can cause your car to float. That's roughly half the height of your tyres."

Douglass noted that drivers often misjudge the danger: “People believe a car is a large, heavy item that’s difficult to shift. However, 30 centimeters isn’t a lot of water. Additionally, many of these bodies of water flow much more quickly than most people understand.”

Douglass mentioned that the agency is especially worried about flooding in the Midlands. “Recently, we’ve experienced intense thunderstorms and heavy rain, which have soaked certain regions. As we head into the weekend and next week, we can expect more typical winter rain that will affect a larger area. Sadly, this will fall on ground that is already saturated."

The Met Office has issued a warning stating that rainy weather may create challenging driving situations and result in road closures. There is a high chance that both homes and businesses will experience flooding, and some neighborhoods might become isolated due to rising water levels.

"Localized flooding will persist. Many of these regions have experienced rainfall over the recent weeks, leading to saturated ground conditions," said meteorologist Greg Dewhurst in an interview with the PA news agency.

The National Pest Technicians Association, an organization dedicated to pest control, warned that flooding might result in more rodent activity. They recommended that individuals store food and garbage properly and examine their homes for any openings, such as gaps, cracks, or holes, that mice looking for food could use to get inside.

According to Grahame Turner, the technical manager at NPTA, rodents like rats and mice typically make their homes in underground burrows. Additionally, rats can often be found in drains and sewers. However, when floods occur, these areas can become saturated with water, forcing the rodents to leave their usual shelters.

"They will look for shelter in higher, dryer locations like residences, workplaces, and commercial buildings, especially those that deal with food. As a result, there's a greater chance of rodent infestations in areas that usually don't have such issues."

The Avon fire and rescue service announced that they are collaborating with National Highways: South-West to help individuals trapped on the M5 in Gloucestershire due to severe flooding caused by heavy rain.

According to National Highways, the M5 is currently shut down for northbound traffic between junctions 16 and 14, while the southbound lane is closed between junctions 14 and 15. This closure is in place as emergency services respond to and manage the flooding in the area.

Authorities and emergency services in Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire announced several road closures and assured residents that they were dedicated to ensuring everyone's safety throughout the night.

The Tewkesbury borough council in Gloucestershire has been distributing sandbags to residents to safeguard their properties from flooding. Train services connecting Shrewsbury in Shropshire to Wolverhampton in the West Midlands were halted due to significant flooding at Wellington station, along with a fallen tree obstructing the tracks. Additionally, trains running from Peterborough in the East Midlands to London King’s Cross faced delays caused by the flooding.

The Marston Vale line in Bedfordshire, which runs trains between Bedford and Bletchley, has been closed until Monday due to water accumulating on the tracks.