Storm Claudia has caused widespread travel disruption across Britain today, bringing a month's worth of rain in 24 hours, 70mph wind gusts, and over 120 flood alerts. The storm, named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency, has already affected Spain and Portugal before moving into the UK.
Two 12-hour amber 'danger to life' warnings for rain, with up to 6 inches (150mm) expected, are in place for parts of central England and South Wales from noon until midnight. A wider yellow rain warning covers Wales, central and southern England, including London, from 6am today until 6am tomorrow, with up to 4 inches (100mm) forecast. Yellow wind warnings for parts of North West Wales and North West England are also active from noon until midnight.
The Environment Agency has issued 96 flood alerts and three flood warnings across England, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has one warning and seven alerts, and Natural Resources Wales has 21 alerts. National Rail has warned of disruption, with flooding between Exeter and Barnstaple in Devon affecting trains until Sunday and emergency speed restrictions in Scotland. At least seven train operators, including Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, and CrossCountry, are running reduced services.
The AA has advised motorists against travelling in the 'hazardous weather', warning that conditions could change quickly. Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: 'Much of this will fall on saturated ground, increasing the chances of flooding.' He added that within amber warning areas, some could see over 150mm of rain, with 60-80mm widely expected, and gusts of 60-70mph possible in exposed places.
