Sunday, December 22, 2024

Flooding sparks travel chaos as Met Office issues another warning

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BRITS are gearing up for 60mph winds and heavy rain after the Met Office issued another yellow weather warning as flooding continues to spark travel chaos across the country.

Brits are facing further delays to their train journeys this evening as forecasters predict more rain ahead.

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Flooding in the village of Down Ampney in the Cotswolds, GloucestershireCredit: ANDREW LLOYD
Severe flooding has caused major travel disruptions across the UK

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Severe flooding has caused major travel disruptions across the UKCredit: EPA
Tanker trucks are hard at work removing floodwater covering the A421 dual carriageway in Marston Moretaine

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Tanker trucks are hard at work removing floodwater covering the A421 dual carriageway in Marston MoretaineCredit: EPA
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for much of the southwest of England and Wales for Sunday

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The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for much of the southwest of England and Wales for SundayCredit: MET Office

The railway line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway is blocked, forcing passengers travelling between London, Bristol, and Wales to take diverted routes, according to National Rail.

This is causing delays of up to 30 minutes for passengers.

While today is expected to bring generally drier weather across much of the UK, the Met Office has issued another yellow weather warning for Sunday.

Those in the southwest of England can expect more strong winds and heavy rain throughout the day.

Forecasters have also revealed that much of southwest England and Wales will experience winds reaching up to 60mph tomorrow.

The yellow weather warning is in effect from 9am on Sunday until 11.59pm.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley said: “A Yellow warning for wind has been issued for much of Sunday across portions of southwest England and south and west Wales, where gusts could reach or even exceed 60 mph on exposed coasts, and 50-55 mph more widely.

“This system will gradually track eastwards through Sunday and into Monday and will bring another spell of wet weather fairly widely across the UK.”

Unrelenting downpours have wreaked havoc across the UK, as the Met Office reported that a month’s worth of rain fell within a few hours, causing major travel disruption.

Warwickshire County Council shared a stark warning to motorists planning to drive this weekend.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they wrote: “Heavy rain is causing travel issues across the county.

“If you’re out and about today, please don’t drive through flooded roads, as the water could be deeper than you think.”

It comes as an amber rain warning issued by the Met Office for areas of the Midlands and the south of the country, and a separate yellow rain warning for large parts of England and Wales, both ended yesterday.

Areas affected by the amber warning, including Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands, were hit by flash floods as the weather agency said the regions could have 30-40mm of rainfall within three hours.

Earlier this week, people were snapped clinging to upended umbrellas as they desperately tried to keep from getting soaked.

A £200,000 Lamborghini Urus was seen crushed by a fallen tree in Central London.

There have also been reports of major flooding which resulted in road closures causing more disruption for commuters.

Councils and emergency services in Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire confirmed several road closures.

Tewkesbury Borough Council, in Gloucestershire, has been handing out sandbags to residents to help protect their homes against flooding.

The Environment Agency had 63 flood warnings in place across England, meaning further flooding is expected, and 120 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.

Recent flooding in areas including Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire has brought widespread travel disruption and damage to properties.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said northern and central parts of England and Wales had been hit the hardest.

He said: “There will continue to be localised flooding. A lot of these areas have been hit by rain in the past few weeks which means the ground is already saturated.”

Fallen tree crashes to ground hitting brand-new £200k sportscar

 A falling tree crashes to the ground hitting a brand-new £200,000 Lamborghini Urus on its way down.

A clip shared to social media yesterday captured the dramatic moment unfolding in Goodge Street, central London.

The sports SUV was parked at the side of the road when a passing lorry caught the tree, which has reportedly been a hazard for some time.

The tree was then pulled down and onto the road, hitting the front of the car, a Lamborghini Urus Performante, which is worth a whopping £202,000.

The tree can just be seen sharply dropping behind the lorry as it drives along, landing with an alarming crash which is met by gasps from bystanders.

A gaping hole can be seen in the top of the lorry, potentially caused by the impact with the tree.

As it pulls away, the driver seemingly unaware of the carnage behind, the Lamborghini’s hazard lights begin to flash.

The person filming left in disbelief at the damage caused syas: “Yo, the Lambo (sic). Oh my gosh.”

He walks over to the car to inspect the damage done to the vehicle by the tree as the street begins to fill with bystanders who have flocked to see what has happened.

The tree trunk and one man standing in the way block the view of the front of the car, so it is unclear what the extent of the damage is.

The video was shared to social media yesterday (THUR) with the caption: “The s**t I witness is crazy.

“2024 Lamborghini Urus Performante crushed by a tree behind Oxford Street.”

It has since received over 2,700 likes and more than 370 comments from social media users sharing their reactions.

One said: “That tree [is] next to my work. Too many times [a] truck hit that tree that was about to fall. Nobody informed the council or fire crews. Bad luck for Lambo (sic).”

A second wrote: “Actually lucky that never killed anyone.”

Another commented: “It’s a Lamborghini. Granted some hassle but there’s money to deal with it.”

A fourth said: “Why are there trees there though? There’s plenty of forests and gardens for trees, they don’t need to be planted on the pavement overhanging the road.”

Another quipped: “Act of God, will insurance pay out?”

WEEKEND COLD SNAP

Things are expected to then get colder into the weekend as the rain clears.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist David Oliver said on Thursday: “The rain will clear south during Friday allowing Arctic air to cross the country.

“This gives a much colder but quieter interlude in the south on Saturday, although a few showers will spread across northern areas.

“An area of low pressure then moves in from the southwest later in the weekend and crosses the UK during Sunday and Monday.

“Although there is still some uncertainty about the exact behaviour of this system and therefore where may see any impacts, it will bring the potential for some wet and windy weather late on Sunday and into the start of next week.

“Stay up to date with the latest forecast for your area.”

UK 5 day weather forecast

Today

A bright day for many, with sunny spells. A scattering of showers across northern and western parts of the UK, perhaps some longer spells of rain across northwest Scotland. Feeling chilly, with temperatures a little below average for late September.

Tonight

Showers will continue this evening and overnight across the northwest of the UK. Staying dry elsewhere, with clear spells.

Cloud thickening across the southwest towards the end of the night.

Sunday

Low pressure will bring wet and windy weather to western parts through the day.

Northern and eastern areas staying largely dry with increasing cloud. Temperatures remaining a little below average.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday

Staying unsettled on Monday, with heavy rain and brisk winds and temperature on the cool side.

Slowly brightening up from the west as we head through Tuesday and into Wednesday.

Warwickshire County Council urged motorists to be wary while driving

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Warwickshire County Council urged motorists to be wary while drivingCredit: x/@Warwickshire_CC
A falling tree crashes to the ground hitting a brand-new £200,000 Lamborghini Urus in Goodge Street, central London

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A falling tree crashes to the ground hitting a brand-new £200,000 Lamborghini Urus in Goodge Street, central London
Heavy rain caused roads to flood in Bedfordshire

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Heavy rain caused roads to flood in BedfordshireCredit: Stephen Huntley/HVC
An Aer Lingus plane had a bumpy landing in the strong winds at Leeds Bradford Airport

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An Aer Lingus plane had a bumpy landing in the strong winds at Leeds Bradford Airport
Wet and windy weather in London on the Friday commute to school and work after days of heavy rain

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Wet and windy weather in London on the Friday commute to school and work after days of heavy rain
Commuters brave the heavy rain and flooding on the A3 in New Malden

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Commuters brave the heavy rain and flooding on the A3 in New Malden

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