A handful of schools remain closed across the UK in the wake of Storm Chandra, which has brought widespread flooding and disruption to travel. Two schools in Dorset and one in Somerset are shut, while over 350 schools in Northern Ireland have reopened after two days of closures. The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for parts of south-east and south-west England from Thursday noon until early Friday.
On Thursday morning, 76 flood warnings—where flooding is expected—and 180 flood alerts were in place across England. A severe flood warning, indicating danger to life, remains for the Lower Stour at Iford Bridge Home Park, where residents have been urged to evacuate. In Somerset, the council warned that flood risk on the Somerset Levels and Moors remains high as rainwater moves through the system.
National Rail has warned of disruption until Friday, with trains cancelled across Devon and speed restrictions in place in Scotland. The Met Office’s Matthew Lehnert said that heavy rain of 10-15mm, and up to 25mm in some southern areas, will fall on already saturated ground, compounding the impacts of Storm Chandra. He advised the public to stay updated with forecasts and follow local authority guidance.
The band of rain is expected to move north-east across the South West before clearing early Friday. Further unsettled weather is forecast over the weekend and into next week, with showers or longer spells of rain and brisk winds, adding to the ongoing disruption across the UK.
