UK weather: More heavy rain and thunderstorms could trigger flash flooding
Written by News on 18/06/2020
More torrential downpours and thunderstorms have been forecast as some parts of the country have been hit by flooding.
The Met Office issued two yellow warnings for much of southern and central England and Wales on Thursday.
Forecasters predict heavy rain and thunderstorms which may cause more flooding and travel disruption.
Slow-moving, isolated showers could result in 30-40mm (1-1.5in) of rainfall in some places over a few hours.
Nicola Maxey of the Met Office said such “torrential downpours” could trigger flash flooding.
The first yellow warning was in place until midday, stretching across Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and parts of London and the South East.
It warned that heavy rain could bring some “localised disruption” with a likely chance of some homes and businesses flooding, as well as traffic disruption.
A second weather warning covering southern England, East Anglia and South Wales is in place until 9pm tonight.
Ms Maxey said downpours could bring 20-25mm of rain within one hour in some areas and possibly 30-40mm in two to three hours in a few spots.
She said: “These are the heavier showers, not everywhere within the warning will see these heavier showers. These are isolated ones.
“These are the ones that have the potential to cause issues such as flash flooding.”
The Met Office also warned there is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, as well as damage to some buildings from floodwater.
Lightning, hail and strong winds can also be expected.
There is also “a small chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life and some communities becoming cut off by flooded roads,” according to its website.
Five flood alerts were in place for England on Thursday morning in areas around Birmingham, Solihull, Tamworth, Loughborough and south of Wolverhampton.
The alerts advise people to “be prepared” as flooding is possible.
On Wednesday evening, Natural Resources Wales tweeted that it had sent officers to the village of Pentre in the Rhondda valley after thunderstorms caused surface water flooding in many areas.
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Almost 200 properties were flooded overnight in parts of South Wales, with Pentre being the worst affected, just four months after it was hit twice by flooding during Storm Dennis.
Videos shared on social media revealed the extent of flooding in some areas on Wednesday night.
A clip posted by the Environment Agency showed cars driving through a flooded street in Birmingham on Wednesday.
(c) Sky News 2020: UK weather: More heavy rain and thunderstorms could trigger flash flooding
