Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Storm Conall live: Danger to life warning issued as hundreds of flood alerts in place

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River Nene causing chaos after Storm Bert

A danger to life warning is among the hundreds of flood alerts that have been issued as Storm Conall sweeps across the UK.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Environment Agency (EA) had in place one severe flood warning for Billing Aquadrome holiday park and the surrounding parks next to the River Nene in Northampton, meaning there is danger to life risk there.

A further 84 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, and 159 flood alerts, warning of possible flooding, have been issued by the EA.

The Met Office earlier had in place a yellow weather warning for rain, although this has now been lifted.

Spokesman Stephen Dixon said the highest rainfall was recorded on the Isle of Wight at 43.3mm from 10pm to 10am on Wednesday morning, with conditions expected to gradually get drier throughout the day and Thursday.

The forecaster warned at least some travel disruption and flooding of homes and businesses would be likely, with trains cancelled in parts of southern England after heavy rainfall flooded railway lines.

The third storm of the season comes just days after Storm Bert left hundreds of homes flooded, turned roads into rivers and saw winds of more than 80mph.

MPs in communities hit by flooding will receive ‘whatever they need’, PM vows

MPs in communities affected by flooding after last weekend’s Storm Bert will receive “whatever they need”, the Prime Minister has vowed.

Sir Keir Starmer said a £25 million fund to maintain safety at disused coal tips in Wales “is very important” and added: “What I would say on flooding, we’ve now had two questions on this, if other members of the House do have individual issues they’re not able to raise here, if they get in touch with myself or my office, I’ll make sure that they get whatever they need in support of their constituents.”

Nick Smith, the Labour MP for Blaenau Gwent, had asked the Prime Minister whether he would “prioritise coal tips” and told the Commons: “Last weekend in Cwmtillery, torrential rain caused a landslip. Slurry, even boulders poured down streets. People were afraid.”

Dame Harriett Baldwin, the Conservative MP for West Worcestershire, earlier said: “Tenbury Wells was flooded again with Storm Bert last weekend, the second time the town has been flooded this year, and it’s a town where it’s only a case of when – not if – it will flood again. And the situation is made even more devastating for residents because there is a fully developed flood defence plan that is partly funded for the town, and the Budget carried forward £2.4 billion for flood defences.”

Sir Keir described the floods in Tenbury Wells as “an awful situation for her constituents” and added: “We all know how devastating flooding is. The initial damage that it caused, but then the ongoing damage including problems then of insurance etcetera that then prevail for many, many years. We are committed to tackling this.”

MPs in communities affected by flooding after last weekend’s Storm Bert will receive ‘whatever they need’, the Prime Minister has vowed
MPs in communities affected by flooding after last weekend’s Storm Bert will receive ‘whatever they need’, the Prime Minister has vowed (Parliament TV)

Tara Cobham27 November 2024 13:30

Met Office lifts weather warning as forecast update issued

The Met Office’s weather warning has now been lifted.

The yellow warning for rain was in place until midday today.

In a forecast update, the weather service said: “After a damp start in the east, rain will gradually clear eastwards this afternoon.

“Brighter further north, with a few showers running down North Sea coasts.

“Cold with a few fog patches lingering.”

Tara Cobham27 November 2024 13:00

Highest rainfall so far recorded on Isle of Wight at 43.3mm

The highest rainfall so far recorded was on the Isle of Wight at 43.3mm from 10pm to 10am on Wednesday morning, according to Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon.

He said conditions are expected to gradually get drier throughout the day and Thursday.

The storm is expected to strengthen as it passes the UK towards the Netherlands, he added.

Tara Cobham27 November 2024 12:30

Storm Conall is currently battering south of UK, Met Office says

Storm Conall is currently battering the south of the UK, the Met Office has said.

The forecaster added that it is bringing more rain, before the weather clears eastwards.

Tara Cobham27 November 2024 12:00

‘Significant’ flooding likely in parts of UK, Environment Agency warns

“Significant” flooding is likely in parts of the UK, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency (EA) has warned.

Chris Wilding, of the Environment Agency, said “significant flooding impacts” are probable in parts of Northamptonshire, with “minor” flooding on the River Severn.

Conditions are not expected to worsen in Yorkshire and the West Midlands over the next few days.

Additional minor river and surface water flooding is also “probable” in parts of the south and east of England from late on Tuesday and through Wednesday, Mr Wilding said.

Cwmtillery in Wales was among the areas affected by flooding when Storm Bert lashed the UK over the weekend
Cwmtillery in Wales was among the areas affected by flooding when Storm Bert lashed the UK over the weekend (PA Wire)

Tara Cobham27 November 2024 11:30

Why is the latest storm called Conall

The latest storm, called Conall, is the third of the season.

It was named by the Dutch Weather Service, which along with the Met Office and Met Eireann in Ireland name storms so communication about severe weather is easier.

Storm Conall comes after Storm Bert swept across the UK over the weekend.

Tara Cobham27 November 2024 11:00

Trains cancelled in parts of southern England after heavy rainfall flooded railway lines

Trains have been cancelled in parts of southern England after heavy rainfall flooded railway lines during Storm Conall.

No trains are running between Tonbridge and Redhill, Ascot and Aldershot, and Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road on the Isle of Wight, with National Rail also warning of disruption to services in parts of Wales and London.

It also warned there is disruption to services across other parts of England in the aftermath of Storm Bert over the weekend.

Tara Cobham27 November 2024 10:30

Why is the latest storm called Conall

The latest storm, called Conall, is the third of the season.

It was named by the Dutch Weather Service, which along with the Met Office and Met Eireann in Ireland name storms so communication about severe weather is easier.

Tara Cobham27 November 2024 10:00

Danger to life flooding warning issued

A danger to life warning has been issued by the Environment Agency (EA).

The severe flood warning, meaning there is danger to life, is still in place for Billing Aquadrome holiday park and the surrounding parks next to the River Nene in Northampton today.

People walk through floodwater near the Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire
People walk through floodwater near the Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire (PA Wire)

Tara Cobham27 November 2024 09:58

More flooding ‘likely’ after Storm Bert brought torrential rain, environment secretary warns

More flooding is “likely” this week after Storm Bert brought torrential rain over the weekend, the environment secretary has warned.

Steve Reed said its impacts “should be less severe” than they were on Sunday and Monday morning.

Mr Reed told the Commons on Monday evening that an estimated 107 properties have flooded across England.

He added: “Further flooding is sadly likely over the next few days as water levels rise in slower-flowing rivers such as the Severn and the Ouse.

“The Environment Agency anticipates that any impacts should be less severe than we have seen in recent days.”

Flooded caravans seen at Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park in Northampton on Tuesday
Flooded caravans seen at Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park in Northampton on Tuesday (EPA)

Tara Cobham27 November 2024 09:34

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