‘Life-threatening’ floods on way with month’s rain in day

‘DANGER to life’ flood warnings have been issued as parts of Britain batten down the hatches amid the prospect of gales and up to a month’s rain in a day.

Storm Callum, the third named storm of the season, is set to deluge western areas throughout today and tomorrow.

The heaviest rain is due to fall in South Wales, where an amber warning has been issued by the Meteorological Office – from 6am today until 6pm tomorrow.

Other areas likely to experience heavy rain include the rest of Wales, south-west England, the North West and Pennines. The deluge is set to be accompanied by winds gusting up to 60mph on western coasts of Wales and the South West.

In contrast, the South East is set to be dry and cloudy today, while the region will bask in the return of Indian summer temperatures of 22-25C (72-75F) tomorrow.

The amber alert for South Wales warns of ‘fast-flowing and deep floodwater causing danger to life’. Forecasters predict flooding and power cuts. Large waves are expected on the coast, combined with rainfall of up to 3in across South Wales, rising to 6.3in on high ground. The October monthly average rainfall for Wales is 6.7in.

Up to 4in of rain is expected in central and northern Wales, the South West, Lancashire, Cumbria, the Pennines and south- west Scotland today.

That is the average monthly rain- fall for northern England in October. There will be further downpours – also extending into Northumbria – on Sunday.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said the centre of Storm Callum would pass west of Ireland, with the strongest winds in the Atlantic. ‘The worst of the rain is due to clear by Sunday,’ he said.

‘Into next week, the weather is due to become more changeable, with bands of rain and a more autumnal feel.’