Storm Chandra Unleashes Severe Flooding and Widespread Disruption Across the UK
Two severe flood warnings, indicating a genuine danger to life, have been activated as Storm Chandra sweeps across the United Kingdom, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds. The storm has already caused significant disruption, including flooding to numerous properties, widespread school closures, and major travel chaos on roads and railways.
Record River Levels and Critical Warnings
The first severe warning was issued early on Tuesday morning for Ottery St Mary in Devon. The Environment Agency confirmed that floodwater in the area was expected to be deep and fast flowing. Alarmingly, data showed the River Otter at Fenny Bridges reached a record level of 2.83 metres, surpassing the previous high of 2.81 metres set in December 2000.
A second severe warning was later issued for the Upper Frome at Dorchester in Dorset. River levels at Stinsford were recorded at 1.22 metres and rising, exceeding the previous highest reading from July 2012. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Environment Agency had issued a total of 112 flood warnings where flooding is expected, and 237 flood alerts where it is possible, across England alone.
On-the-Ground Impact and Emergency Response
The situation on the ground was described as truly horrendous by Richard Foord, the Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton and Sidmouth. He reported approximately 20 flooded properties across Devon and Cornwall, with numbers expected to rise. Firefighters in Devon and Somerset rescued people from 25 vehicles trapped in floodwater on Tuesday morning, though thankfully no casualties were reported.
Local resident Jackie Blackford, who lives in Ottery St Mary, told BBC Radio Devon: I live on a hill overlooking part of the Otter and it's normally quite a nice little river. At the moment, it's a raging torrent. It is horrendous – I've never seen anything like it. She noted significant traffic as people attempted to leave the area.
Major Transport Network Paralysis
The storm's impact on transport has been severe and widespread:
- Roads: Multiple major routes are closed, including the A30 in Devon near Ottery St Mary, the A303 between Devon and Somerset, the A35 near Dorchester, and the A66 over the Pennines due to snow. Police warned motorists in Exeter and East Devon not to travel.
- Rail: Several railway lines are closed due to flooding in Cornwall, Somerset, Hampshire, and Devon. A blocked line in Powys has halted services between Swansea and Shrewsbury.
- Air: Domestic flights were cancelled at multiple airports including Birmingham, Heathrow, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
- Bridges: The Humber Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles, while the M48 Severn Bridge has since reopened.
Nationwide Disruption and Further Warnings
Disruption extended across the UK. In Wales, six flood warnings and 17 alerts were in place. Scotland had two warnings and eight alerts. Over 300 schools were closed in Northern Ireland, with 47 shut in Devon. The storm also forced the postponement of football matches, including Torquay United's home game.
Several weather warnings remain in force. Amber warnings for rain in south-west England and wind on the eastern coast of Northern Ireland were active on Tuesday. Further yellow warnings for ice cover much of England and Northern Ireland on Wednesday, with an additional yellow rain warning for south-west England on Thursday, indicating the potential for more flooding and travel issues.
Storm Chandra is the latest named storm from the western Europe naming group, shared between the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands, underscoring the scale of this severe weather event impacting the British Isles.
