The Met Office has escalated its warnings as a deluge of heavy rain is set to sweep across the United Kingdom, prompting serious concerns for widespread flooding and major travel disruptions.
A severe yellow weather warning is now in force for a significant portion of Wales and North-West England, including areas around Manchester and Liverpool. The alert, active from midday today until the same time on Thursday, forecasts persistent and at times torrential downpours.
Impacts and Expected Disruption
Meteorologists are warning the public to prepare for significant impacts. The anticipated disruption includes:
- Dangerous driving conditions: Spray and flooding on roads will likely lead to longer journey times for bus and car travel.
- Public transport delays: Train services are also expected to be affected, with potential cancellations.
- Power cuts: There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to homes and businesses.
- Community isolation: In the worst-affected areas, there is a chance that some communities could become cut off by flooded roads.
Official Advice and Safety Precautions
The Met Office and emergency services are urging residents in the warning area to take immediate precautions. The public is advised to:
- Check road conditions and weather updates before travelling.
- Allow extra time for journeys if travel is absolutely necessary.
- Never drive through floodwater; just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move a car.
- Secure property and move valuable items to a higher level if they are in a flood-risk area.
This weather system is the result of a deep area of low pressure moving in from the Atlantic, a pattern that can bring particularly volatile conditions to western parts of the UK. The Environment Agency has also issued several flood alerts, urging people to monitor local water levels closely.
