The Met Office is warning of potential flooding to hit parts of Britain in a matter of hours. It has issued a yellow weather warning for rain in two large regions which comes into place from 6am tomorrow. The Environment Agency has also earmarked 28 areas, mostly close to rivers, which may burst their banks as torrential downpours smash against the country. There are also 79 flood alerts active across England, which are less severe but urge residents to be on-guard and prepare to reach safety if the downpours unexpectedly get worse.
A large part of western England, and Wales is due to be hit the hardest. The Met Office has highlighted Derbyshire, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Halton, Lancashire, Merseyside, Warrington and North and West Yorkshire as areas of concern in the north.
It says: “Outbreaks of rain will spread across England and Wales during Tuesday. This will be heaviest and most persistent across parts of Wales, particularly over higher ground. Rainfall totals of 80-100 mm could accumulate over high ground.”
In Wales the warning covers Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham.
While flooding may be more likely in some areas than others, the forecaster says drivers ought to be cautious on the roads due to spray and surface water, with passengers possibly held up by delays on public transport. Power outages are also likely.
