WASHOUT! As Storm Brendan retreats, Britain is drenched by fresh downpours...
FOR those looking for some respite after Storm Brendan thrashed the country, dream on.
Flooding added to the country’s woes yesterday, even forcing model Jodie Kidd to brave the elements as she collected a food delivery.
And if further evidence of the ferocity of the winter storms was needed, pictures emerged of diners at Oliver’s on the Beach in Southend- on- Sea, Essex, under bombardment from 10ft waves crashing against its windows.
Local Gary Lowen said: ‘I have lived in Southend all my life and I’ve never seen the effects of the sea like that. It was almost like being on the north coast of Scotland.’
Heavy rain brought floods across the country, including in West Sussex, where Miss Kidd, 41, lives and runs a pub.
The former model needed a bright red waterproof jacket to wade through the muddy water surrounding her home, sharing videos of the floods on social media. The South Coast saw tides so high that car parks were flooded, and the river Avon burst its banks near Chippenham, Wiltshire.
As much as 1.2in (30mm) of rain was recorded in Hampshire, around a third of the expected rainfall for the whole month.
The floods added to the cleanup operation following Storm Brendan, which rattled the country with winds of up to 80mph earlier this week.
The Environment Agency yesterday issued more than 160 flood alerts, which mean flooding is possible, and 12 flood warnings, which mean flooding is expected, across England. While the majority of the alerts were due to have expired by today, the Met Office said further wind and rain was expected – but that it should have cleared by the weekend.
Forecaster Luke Miall said rain would be heaviest in the West of the country at first, moving across to the East by early evening. He added that coastal areas and the West could see winds of 60mph.
But Mr Miall said tomorrow would be better, with some sunshine and showers before cold but clear weather moves in over the weekend.