The Met Office has issued new weather warnings for rain across 15 regions of the UK, urging residents to prepare emergency kits. The warnings, which cover parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England, come as the country continues to grapple with snow and ice.
A yellow rain warning for Northern Ireland is in effect from 9pm Sunday until 9pm Monday, affecting counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone. The Met Office warns of potential flooding and power cuts, with 30mm of rain expected widely and up to 60mm over higher ground. Melting snow could exacerbate flooding impacts.
In southern Scotland, a rain warning covers Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, and South Lanarkshire from 2am Monday until midnight. Up to 90mm of rain could fall over higher ground, with a small chance of communities being cut off by flooding. A third warning for northern Scotland, including Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Highland, Argyll and Bute, and West Dunbartonshire, runs from 2am Monday to 10am Tuesday, with up to 110mm of rain over parts of Skye, Lochaber, Argyll, and the Trossachs.
Residents in affected areas are advised to prepare a flood plan and emergency flood kit, including torches, batteries, and a mobile phone power pack. The Met Office also recommends checking road conditions and amending travel plans if necessary.
David Morgan, SEPA Flood Duty Manager, said: "As temperatures rise following recent cold conditions, thaw of lying snow from Sunday onwards will increase the risk of flooding. Possible impacts could include flooding of low lying land, roads and individual properties."
