Nearly 150 flood alerts remain in force across England as communities continue to deal with the aftermath of Storm Chandra. The Met Office has issued yellow rain warnings for parts of south-west England, with 66 flood warnings – indicating expected flooding – and 149 flood alerts – warning that flooding is possible – still in place.
A yellow rain alert is in effect from noon to midnight on Thursday for areas including Bournemouth, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Plymouth, Somerset, Torbay and Wiltshire. A further warning runs from 6am Friday to 9am Saturday for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. The Met Office warned of possible power cuts, travel disruption and further flooding.
The Environment Agency reported that 147 properties were flooded in Somerset and Dorset due to the storm. A major incident has been declared in Somerset, with council leader Bill Revans stating that teams worked through the night and responded to impassable roads, prioritising support for vulnerable residents.
A third yellow rain warning covers most of Northern Ireland from midnight to 6pm on Friday. Meanwhile, a severe 'danger to life' flood warning for the Lower Stour at Iford Bridge Home Park in Bournemouth has been lifted, though water levels remain high. The RNLI has urged vigilance near the coast in Devon and Cornwall, where waves up to 15ft (4.6 metres) could hit exposed beaches.
