Britain endured a month’s worth of rain in one morning today as roads were shut, train lines blocked and schools closed amid ‘significant’ flooding and travel chaos.
Commuters faced chaotic journeys into work after more than 60mm (2.4in) of rain fell in areas around London and the Home Counties between midnight and 8am.
Four London Underground lines were part-suspended due to flooding this morning – the Bakerloo, District, Metropolitan and Piccadilly – in addition to the Overground.
And some parents were scrambling to find childcare after schools were shut due to flooding in parts of Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Warwickshire and Hertfordshire.
Stokenchurch in Buckinghamshire had 64mm (2.5in) of rain in the first eight hours of today; while 56mm (2.2in) fell at Croydon in South London; 54mm (2.1in) in Thame, Oxfordshire; 50mm (2.0in) in Sevenoaks, Kent; and 49mm (1.9in) in Stevenage.
The Met Office activated an amber warning for parts of central and South West England until 9pm amid concerns flooded roads could cut off some communities.
A wider yellow warning is running for all of today, covering parts of Wales, much of the south of England, the Midlands and into North West England and Yorkshire.
Some affected areas could see up to 120mm (4.7in) of rain throughout today and forecasters warned there may be more weather warnings imposed later this week.
The Environment Agency issued 76 alerts for ‘possible’ flooding and 13 warnings for ‘expected’ flooding – with three in London at South Ruislip, Beckenham and Merton.
And Newcastle United’s League Cup match against Wimbledon tomorrow night was postponed due to major flooding around the football ground in South West London.
It comes after thunder, lightning and hail marked the official end to summer over the weekend, with yesterday’s autumn equinox signalling the start of the new season.
Cows stranded in a flooded field on the River Anker near Nuneaton this morning
The open boot of a car is visible above the water where the vehicle is submerged in flood water on the A421 in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, today
Firefighters pumping water out of homes along the River Purwell in Hitchin this morning
Tim Maher looks out of the window of his flooded house in Grendon, Northamptonshire, today
Speed limits are reduced on the M4 at Datchet in Berkshire today due to surface water
A sinkhole on the pitch (centre left) and flooded walkways (right) at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, home of AFC Wimbledon in London – whose game against Newcastle tomorrow is off
Neighbours clear flood water from Jon Sayles’s home in Grendon, Northamptonshire, today
Firefighters pumping water out of homes along the River Purwell in Hitchin this morning
A cyclist makes their way through floodwater in West London this morning after heavy rain
Flooding around the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire this morning after heavy rainfall
People cross London Bridge in the heavy rain this morning as commuters endure bad weather
A cars is driven through surface water in the village of Willersey in Gloucestershire today
A vehicle stranded in floodwater overnight on Manor Road in Wallington, South London
Heavy rain overnight has caused some roads to flood in Essex this morning, as pictured above
A woman attempts to hold onto her umbrella as she crosses London Bridge in the rain today
A vehicle is driven through floodwater in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, this morning after heavy rain
Heavy rain hits Liverpool this morning as Labour delegates arrive for the party conference
Flooding near Burnham station in Buckinghamshire this morning following heavy rain
People cross London Bridge in the heavy rain this morning as commuters endure bad weather
Sedgley Road East is closed in Sandwell in the West Midlands due to major flooding today
Newcastle United’s League Cup match against Wimbledon tomorrow night was postponed due to major flooding around the Cherry Red Records Stadium in South West London (pictured)
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for all of today, and an amber warning until 9pm
AMBER WARNING: The amber warnings runs in the Midlands and South West until 9pm tonight
YELLOW WARNING: The yellow warning runs for the whole day and covers most of England
One homeowner from Northamptonshire has described the moment he saw a ‘wave of water’ heading towards him during flooding last night.
Amber and yellow Met Office rain warnings
Here is the detail from the two Met Office warnings in place for today:
AMBER WARNING
Today, 5am to 9pm
- Heavy rain is expected to produce some flooding and travel disruption.
- Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Homes and businesses may be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
- Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely
- A possibility that some communities will be cut off by flooded roads
- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely
An area of heavy rain is expected to develop across central and southern England during the early of hours of Monday, edging north and west and then becoming slow-moving somewhere across the warning area for several hours. It will then weaken and move away eastwards later Monday evening and overnight.
Not all counties within the warning area will be equally affected, but it seems likely that some areas will see 60-80 mm and a few places may receive 100-120mm or more. This is likely to result in travel disruption and some flooding.
Lightning may be an additional hazard in places.
YELLOW WARNING
Today, 0am to 11.59pm
- Some communities may be cut off by flooded roads
- Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
- Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
- Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible
Areas of of heavy rain are expected to affect many parts of England and Wales during Monday. There is still some uncertainty regarding which areas will be affected by the heaviest rain, but at this stage parts of the Midlands, northeast England and east Wales look most likely to see the greatest accumulations. However, anywhere within the warning area could have impactful rainfall through the course of Monday.
There is potential that 30-50 mm could develop in any part of the warning area, much of which could fall in six hours or less. Some locations could see 80-100 mm over the course of 12 to 24 hours.
Tim Maher and his partner Carol Findon, from Grendon, saw their two-storey property partially submerged overnight with more than a foot of water.
Mr Maher said: ‘We’ve had an awful lot of rain in recent days and some forecasters were warning we could see a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.
‘I have an app on my phone which tracks river levels and at around 8.45pm it rocketed up.
‘I decided to drive down to the bridge and saw the water breaking the banks and coming down the road towards me.
‘I quickly turned around, drove home and put up a flood barrier we’ve got up against the door. It kept out a lot of the water but we’ve had about an inch overnight.
‘We’ve had some damage to the carpets, settees and other furniture. The most difficult bit will be drying out the structure.
‘We haven’t had much sleep and at least eight houses on our road have been impacted. It would be nice to get a permanent solution to this problem.’
A hairdresser was cleaning up mud from R&R Hair Services in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, this morning after floodwater reached knee height on High Street South.
Kirsty Brewer said it was the fourth time the business had flooded in the last six or seven years and the first time it caused thousands of pounds of damage, but now they have moved all the electricals higher, so they just have to clean up the mud.
The 31-year-old, who rents a chair in the business, said: ‘It started yesterday afternoon when the whole of Dunstable was flooded. It was up to your knee deep, the road comes down so we’re sitting in a bit of a well.
‘We don’t open on Sundays or Mondays, so it’s not affected business in that way, it’s just a big clean-up. It was full of mud when we got here at 9am.
‘This is the fourth time that it has happened in the last six or seven years, so we’ve got all the electricals up, we’re prepared. We know how to handle it. Because we are a listed building we’re not allowed a flood gate.
‘The first time that it happened it was thousands of pounds worth of damage. It happened last year, it’s like a once-a-year thing.’
The Saracen’s Head pub in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, was closed on Monday morning with thick mud covering parts of the floor after it was flooded.
A worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said there was ‘a lot of damage’ and that the water had come up to his knees.
Jon Sayles, from Grendon, in Northamptonshire, said his home has been hit with ‘two feet’ of water after heavy rainfall overnight.
He said: ‘At about 9pm last night water came in through the back of the house.
‘I’ve had about two feet of water. I’ve got electrical problems, the sockets don’t work, the fridge isn’t working and there’s damage to the carpet and settees.
‘I was in bed as I’d decided to have an early night. A neighbour called me to tell me what was happening so I went to have a look and saw the water. It was unbelievable.
‘I’m still clearing up and had no sleep last night.’
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said: ‘First thing on Monday morning then, we see an amber weather warning come into force.
‘It stretches between Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and up towards the Wash and the Humber.
‘This area in particular, during Monday, we could see over a month’s worth of rain falling, and with the rain we’ve already seen over the last couple of days this certainly has the potential to bring some disruption and flooding in locations and here it is very important we do take care over the course of the day.
‘There is a broader yellow rain warning that encompasses much other areas of England and Wales as well.’
Flooding around the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire this morning after heavy rainfall
Tim Maher in his flooded house in Grendon, Northamptonshire, this morning
The open boot of a car is visible above the water where the vehicle is submerged in flood water on the A421 in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, today
The top of The Shard is obscured this morning as people cross London Bridge in the heavy rain
Carol Maher dips a mop into water today outside her house in Grendon, Northamptonshire
Vehicles splash through floodwater on a country road in Eton, Berkshire, this morning
Flooding around the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire this morning after heavy rainfall
Neighbours clear flood water from Jon Sayles’s home in Grendon, Northamptonshire, today
Flooding near Burnham station in Buckinghamshire this morning following heavy rain
Speed limits are reduced on the M4 at Datchet in Berkshire today due to surface water
Firefighters pumping water out of homes along the River Purwell in Hitchin this morning
Part of the pitch at Plough Lane has been damaged due to the intense rainfall in Wimbledon
Neighbours clear flood water from Jon Sayles’s home in Grendon, Northamptonshire, today
Cars attempt to navigate through flooding in London this morning as water splashes up
Flooding around the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire this morning after heavy rainfall
Flooding under a railway bridge on Cambridge Road in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, this morning
A car driving through floodwater in Grendon, Northamptonshire, this morning
Heavy rain hits Liverpool this morning as Labour delegates arrive for the party conference
People looking at flood water in Grendon, Northamptonshire, this morning
Cars are driven through surface water after heavy rain in West London this morning
A man walks his dog on a flooded road in the Gloucestershire village of Willersley today
Neighbours clear flood water from Jon Sayles’s home in Grendon, Northamptonshire, today
Even before the warnings came into effect, Bedfordshire Police said: ‘We are aware of the multiple issues the weather is causing across the county tonight. Please only call us if there is an immediate threat to life or crime in progress.
‘All emergency services and council teams are working as quickly as possible to help those affected but our priority will be the vulnerable. Please stay clear of flooded roads and affected areas.’
Mr Vautrey also warned that temperatures are set to drop to below-average levels for the time of year across the country.
He said: ‘During the forthcoming week, though, we see northerly winds starting to push their way in, so the cooling trend is going to continue for all of us.
‘Parts of Scotland will certainly see that by already Monday and into Tuesday, with temperatures slipping down into the low teens in places, but that cool and cold air will eventually reach many areas of the UK by the time we head throughout the rest of the week.
‘So all of us will start to see temperatures dropping below average for the time of year as we head towards the end of the week.’
A van driving in flood water on Hardwater Road near Wellingborough this morning
Flooding around the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire this morning after heavy rainfall
Heavy rain in the London Bridge area this morning as parts of the capital face flooding today
Vehicles splash through floodwater on a country road in Eton, Berkshire, this morning
The open boot of a car is visible above the water where the vehicle is submerged in flood water on the A421 in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, today
A tractor pulling a vehicle which is stuck in floodwater in Grendon, Northamptonshire, today
Carol Maher dips a mop into water today outside her house in Grendon, Northamptonshire
A cyclist makes their way through floodwater in West London this morning after heavy rain
People looking at a car in floodwater in Grendon, Northamptonshire, this morning
Cars attempt to navigate through flooding in London this morning as water splashes up
Firefighters pumping water out of homes along the River Purwell in Hitchin this morning
Flooding around the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire this morning after heavy rainfall
A cars is driven through a flooded road this morning in Bermondsey, South East London
Flooding alongside the River Thames in West London this morning following heavy rain
Tomorrow is expected to bring longer spells of rain to northern areas and parts of Scotland whereas much of the south, Wales and the Midlands should see a largely dry day.
The best of any brightness today is expected in London and South East England, with highs of 21C (70F).
But wet and windy weather is expected from Wednesday and it will be cooler too, with daytime highs of just 14C (57F) in London by Saturday.
Southeastern said that only a ‘very limited service’ would run from Hastings in East Sussex towards London due to ‘heavy rain flooding the railway at Wadhurst’.
There was no service on the Bakerloo Line between Queen’s Park and Harrow & Wealdstone, on the District Line between Turnham Green and Richmond, on the Metropolitan Line and the Piccadilly Line between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge and on the London Overground between South Acton and Richmond and between Euston and Watford Junction.
Other rail services reporting weather-related disruption include Great Northern, Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink.
Police have confirmed a number of road closures across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire following ‘substantial flooding’ overnight.
Heavy rainfall yesterday into today has seen areas such as Dunstable and Hitchin partially submerged.
Bedfordshire Police said it had closed off part of Dunstable High Street due to ‘substantial flooding’, with footage shared on social media showing cars battling high water around the Saracen’s Head pub.
Central Bedfordshire Council said flooding had also hit Flitwick, Cranfield and Marston Moretaine.
North Hertfordshire Police have also advised motorists to avoid some parts of Hitchin, including Walsworth Road near the town centre.
Even before the warnings came into effect, the force had said: ‘We are aware of the multiple issues the weather is causing across the county tonight. Please only call us if there is an immediate threat to life or crime in progress.
‘All emergency services and council teams are working as quickly as possible to help those affected but our priority will be the vulnerable. Please stay clear of flooded roads and affected areas.’
Flooding near Burnham station in Buckinghamshire this morning following heavy rain
Cars are driven through surface water after heavy rain in West London this morning
Heavy rain hits Liverpool this morning as Labour delegates arrive for the party conference
Flooding under a railway bridge on Cambridge Road in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, this morning
A tractor pulling a vehicle which is stuck in floodwater in Grendon, Northamptonshire, today
Firefighters pumping water out of homes along the River Purwell in Hitchin this morning
People cross London Bridge in the heavy rain this morning as commuters endure bad weather
People looking at a car in floodwater in Grendon, Northamptonshire, this morning
Cars are driven through surface water after heavy rain in West London this morning
A man walks his dog on a flooded road in the Gloucestershire village of Willersley today
Flooding around the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire this morning after heavy rainfall
Flooding alongside the River Thames in West London this morning following heavy rain
A van driving in flood water on Hardwater Road near Wellingborough this morning
Heavy rain hits Liverpool this morning as Labour delegates arrive for the party conference
Cars attempt to navigate through flooding in London this morning as water splashes up
Flooding near Burnham station in Buckinghamshire this morning following heavy rain
The open boot of a car is visible above the water where the vehicle is submerged in flood water on the A421 in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, today
Vehicles are driven through floodwater in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, this morning after heavy rain
Heavy rain hits Liverpool this morning as Labour delegates arrive for the party conference
Commuters walk to work in the London Bridge area this morning amid the heavy rain
A vehicle is driven through floodwater in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, this morning after heavy rain
Flooding under a railway bridge on Cambridge Road in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, this morning
The Environment Agency also warned of ‘significant’ flooding today across parts of England.
Areas affected by the flood warnings include Atherstone in Warwickshire, Leighton Buzzard and Luton in Bedfordshire and parts of South London.
Flood duty manager Sarah Cook said ‘persistent heavy rain and thunderstorms’ could lead to some property flooding and travel disruption.
She said: ‘Persistent heavy rain and thunderstorms could lead to significant surface water flooding on Monday across parts of England.
‘The impacts could include localised flooding in urban areas and fast-responding catchments, including some property flooding as well as travel disruption. The risk from river flooding remains low.
‘Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and ready to support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.
‘We urge people to plan their journeys carefully, follow the advice of local emergency services on the roads and not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.
‘People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on X, formerly Twitter, for the latest flood updates.’
Motoring experts and police advised drivers to take extra care on the roads today.
Chris Wood, AA Patrol of the Year, said: ‘If you do need to travel be aware driving conditions can quickly deteriorate during very heavy rainfall, with drains becoming swamped or blocked and standing water causing problems such as surface spray, reduced visibility and potentially leading to flooding.
Heavy rain hits Liverpool this morning as Labour delegates arrive for the party conference
Flooding around the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire this morning after heavy rainfall
Cars attempt to navigate through flooding in London this morning as water splashes up
People cross London Bridge in the heavy rain this morning as commuters endure bad weather
A cars is driven through a flooded road this morning in Bermondsey, South East London
Heavy rain hits Liverpool this morning as Labour delegates arrive for the party conference
People cross London Bridge in the heavy rain this morning as commuters endure bad weather
Flooding around the city of St Albans in Hertfordshire this morning after heavy rainfall
A cyclist makes their way through floodwater in West London this morning after heavy rain
Heavy rain hits Liverpool this morning as Labour delegates arrive for the party conference
Heavy rain hits Liverpool this morning as Labour delegates arrive for the party conference
A cyclist travels along a flooded road this morning in Colliers Wood, South West London
Flooding at Lower Sydenham in South East London is impacting Southeastern trains today
A van is driven through a flooded road this morning in Colliers Wood, South West London
A cyclist travels along a flooded road this morning in Colliers Wood, South West London
‘Reduce speed and leave more space between yourself and other vehicles.
‘Check the travel news before you set off and take particular care where roads dip, for example under railway bridges, which are more likely to flood. If the road ahead is flooded, don’t chance it – flood water can be deceptively deep so turn around and find another route.’
Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, editor at large at The Points Guy, told MailOnline: ‘For those people travelling to the airport, my advice would be to allow extra time to get to the terminal in case there are delays to Tube and rail services due to flooding.
‘This morning, the road network around Luton Airport in Bedfordshire was left inaccessible due to the flooding and many passengers were stuck in traffic tailbacks as they were approaching the airport.
‘I would also recommend that travellers keep an eye on emails from their flight providers and on FlightRadar24 to see the latest movements of their inbound aircraft, as flights could very well be delayed due to more inclement weather on the way.
‘It is also important to check the protections you have through travel insurance but especially travel disruption policies provided when you purchase travel on certain credit cards and they may operate to help you financially with any changes or extra costs associated with the disruption.’
And a Thames Valley patrol officer said: ‘The torrential rain is forming small lakes and sending up blinding spray on roads like the M4 yet there are still lunatics tearing along at 80mph.
‘At those speeds, where they can hardly see a few yards ahead, their car can aquaplane and literally take off if they hit a large patch of standing water.
‘Even the top Grand Prix drivers like Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton have to follow a safety car if there is too much rain water on the circuit.
‘These fools could easily lose control and smash into other cars, killing not only themselves but innocent road users too.’
Cumulative rainfall totals for today are shown, with some areas set to see over a month’s worth
A trampoline was sent flying into the air by a ‘mini tornado’ in Luton, Bedfordshire, yesterday
Yesterday, thunder, lightning and hail struck parts of the UK in a dramatic end to the summer season.
Thunderstorms moved across the country on Saturday, starting in Cornwall before striking more central, towards the north-east of London, and then up through Birmingham and towards the East Midlands.
There were road closures in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire as a result of flooding and travel disruption between Penzance and London Paddington, and Penzance and Truro, after flooding on the railway between Redruth and Camborne.
Between 2pm on Saturday and 7am on Sunday, Longcliffe in Derbyshire saw 67.6mm of rain, while Creswell in Staffordshire and Evington in Leicestershire got 65mm and 60.4mm respectively.
There were up to 13,000 lightning strikes over 24 hours to yesterday morning. One is believed to have set fire to a house in Gresford, near Wrexham in North Wales.
Send your pictures or videos of flooding in your area to: tips@dailymail.com