Storm Claudia has drenched parts of Britain with a month's worth of rain in 24 hours, leading to flooding, travel disruption, and the cancellation of Christmas events. Amber rain warnings came into effect at noon on Friday, covering central England and Wales, with up to 150mm (6in) expected in some areas. The warnings remain until midnight.
More than 130 flood alerts are in place across England and Wales, with the Environment Agency reporting at least 17 flooded properties in northern England. The British Red Cross has placed emergency response teams on standby. Wind gusts of up to 70mph are forecast, with yellow wind warnings for parts of North West Wales and North West England.
Rail services have been severely affected. A West Midlands Railway train struck a fallen tree at Blakedown in Worcestershire, blocking the line. At least seven train operators are running reduced services, including Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, and CrossCountry. Flooding between Exeter and Barnstaple in Devon will affect trains until Sunday, and emergency speed restrictions are in place in Scotland.
Road travel is also hazardous, with the AA advising against driving in the conditions. A dog named Bonnie was swept away after jumping into a raging river at Arrow Country Park in Redditch, Worcestershire. Her owner, AJ Abrar, was rescued but had to let go of the dog to save himself. A search for Bonnie, who has 3,500 TikTok followers, is expected to continue into the weekend.
Christmas light switch-ons in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, Bulkington in Warwickshire, and Stocksbridge in Sheffield have been cancelled due to the storm. The Met Office warns of persistent heavy rain, with 80mm possible in parts of England and up to 150mm on higher ground in Wales. The storm, which originated in Spain, is expected to continue affecting the UK through the weekend.
