Severe Weather Conditions Persist in England and Wales

Severe weather conditions continue to impact England and Wales, with heavy rain and strong winds disrupting transport services across the region. The Met Office has issued a weather warning for strong winds expected on Sunday, adding to previous warnings for rain which led to significant flooding in parts of the country.

According to reports, the flood warnings remain in place for over 60 areas in England, following intense overnight rain that has caused widespread disruption. The Environment Agency (EA) reported that approximately 385 properties were affected by flooding across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Kent, and the home counties.

An amber rain warning had been in effect for parts of the Midlands and southern England, while a yellow warning covered larger areas of England and Wales. Although these warnings ended on Friday, the Met Office has now issued a yellow wind warning for southwest England and Wales, predicting gusts of 55mph with speeds potentially exceeding 60mph in exposed areas.

Transport networks have been severely affected, with rail services in disruption and parts of the M5 motorway in Gloucestershire closed. Social media images have shown railway tracks submerged in Shropshire and abandoned vehicles along the motorway. Emma Hardy, the Floods Minister, and Philip Duffy, the Environment Agency’s Chief Executive, met to discuss the ongoing response to the flooding.

Hardy stated, “Any flooding event is devastating for the people it affects, and while we respond to this incident, we must learn quickly from it so we can better protect homes and businesses.” She praised the efforts of emergency responders and volunteers, urging the public to prepare for future rainfall.

Caroline Douglass, the EA’s executive director for flood and coastal erosion, warned motorists against driving through floodwaters. Speaking on BBC Radio 4, she highlighted the risk of vehicles being swept away in just 30cm of water, emphasizing that many drivers underestimate the danger.

The weather conditions have heightened concerns over potential rodent infestations, with the National Pest Technicians Association advising the public to secure food and waste to prevent rodents displaced by flooding from entering properties.

In response to the severe weather, local councils and emergency services, including the Avon fire and rescue service, are assisting with evacuations and providing resources such as sandbags to mitigate flood damage. Train services remain suspended in several areas due to ongoing flooding and obstructions on tracks.

Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst warned of continued localised flooding, indicating that conditions would remain challenging in central and southern parts of England. He advised travelers to account for potential delays, noting that affected rivers might take time to settle.