Gathering storm threatens to hit large swathes of the country
BRITAIN has been warned to brace itself for widespread flooding as a 500-mile wide storm threatens to swamp large parts of the country with torrential rain.
Hurricane-force winds are expected to batter the nation as forecasters warn householders to prepare for stormy conditions.
As much as two weeks’ worth of rain will fall in just two days in Scotland and north-west parts of England, forecasters said.
The Environment Agency has issued 34 flood alerts.
A spokesman said: “Wet and windy weather is forecast to spread across England over the weekend with further persistent rainfall expected on Sunday and Monday.
“This could lead to some localised surface flooding, and potentially some localised minor river flooding, in parts of western and northern England with potential disruption to roads and travel in these areas.”
The Met Office have yet to name the storm, which could be the first to be officially named by the public, after it announced a project to give names to severe weather events.
Names to make the shortlist for autumn storms included Barney, Clodagh, Desmond, Eva and Frank.
With the first name on the list widely expected to be “Storm Abigail”, Met Office forecaster Helen Chivers said: “We are monitoring the situation and will let everyone know when any storm is officially named.”
Waves of up to 22ft are forecast for forecast tomorrow off northern and western coasts, with 16ft waves predicted on south western coasts.
Heavy rain fell throughout Britain yesterday. Ten-mile-long traffic queues built up on the M4 in Berkshire after a Porsche Carrera skidded on a wet stretch of road and flattened the metal barrier on the central reservation.
The driver stepped unhurt from the wreckage after the accident, which blocked the London-bound carriageway near Reading.
Meanwhile, the search was continuing for an angler who fell from lock gates into a river early yesterday morning, amid gale force winds and heavy rain.
A member of the public called the emergency services from Swansea marina shortly after midnight yesterday reporting that the man had fallen into the River Tawe.