TO HAIL & BACK
48 hours of heavy rain will batter Britain
Britain was last night braced for the arrival of thunderstorms, lightning, torrential rain and large hail – posing a potential “risk to life”.
Thankfully, there is some respite in store as warm sunshine will return for most of us over the weekend.
The Met Office yesterday issued an amber rain warning for London and the South East, the South West, Wales and the West Midlands.
Thunderstorms, expected until 6am today, were set to merge – leading to torrential rain and up to two inches falling in one hour.
The Met Office warned: “Flooding of homes and businesses is likely and could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.
“Delays and some cancellations to train, bus and air services are likely.”
Forecasters warned of “spray and sudden flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures and some communities likely to become cut off if roads flood”.
Yellow rain warnings were issued elsewhere with heavy downpours set to move into the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland this morning.
Forecasters predict Scotland will still be affected on Saturday but much of the rest of the UK is expected to enjoy warm weather and sunshine over the weekend. Yellow warnings are issued when weather is likely to cause low-level impact, such as travel disruption. Amber warnings indicate an increased likelihood of impact from severe weather, including travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and “the potential risk to life and property”. Last night rail passengers were told to expect disruption. Great Western Railway urged customers to travel as early as possible today, to check before they travel and consider changing
But summer is returning over the weekend
their plans. Ticket restrictions were lifted to allow those with off-peak tickets to use peak-time services and to let those who did not travel yesterday get a train today.
The move came after a speed restriction was introduced across many parts of the GWR network due to the weather warning.
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency also urged people to check their flood risk. Kate Marks, its flood duty manager, said: “The main risk is for the western counties of England, with urban areas most likely to see the impact of any flash flooding. “With heavy rain forecast during rush hour, drivers should stay up to date with the latest weather forecast and travel information before making their journey. “We remind people not to drive through floodwater as just a little over an inch can move your car.” Yesterday visitors to the Royal Bath and West Show were forced to seek shelter from heavy rain. Downpours also caused tricky driving conditions in parts of Southern England, while beaches were quiet.
It follows a week of thunderstorms and flash floods that have blighted the half-term holiday.
On Sunday parts of Birmingham were hit by more than a month’s rainfall in an hour.
A man in his 80s died after his van was submerged by floodwater in nearby Walsall, West Mids.
And Edward George, 31, of Daventry, Northants, said hailstorms on Sunday caused £5,500 worth of damage to his two Audis.
The engineer explained: “It was torrential rainfall – then all of a sudden it went to heavy hail.
“They were the biggest hailstones I have seen.”