Weather presenter Laura Tobin has delivered an urgent and stark warning to viewers of ITV's Good Morning Britain, highlighting a severe and escalating threat from Storm Chandra. Broadcasting live on Tuesday, January 27, Tobin emphasised that the situation is "set to get worse" as the storm system batters the United Kingdom.
Severe Flood Warning Signals 'Danger to Life'
Addressing hosts Ed Balls and Susanna Reid, Laura Tobin revealed that authorities have issued a severe flood warning, a designation which carries the gravest of implications. "When you have a severe flood warning that means danger to life and it means act now," she stated unequivocally. This critical alert was activated just minutes before her broadcast, specifically for the River Otter.
Record-Breaking River Levels
Tobin reported that the River Otter has reached a peak level of 2.82 metres, a measurement that surpasses all previous records. "It is one centimetre above their record... and that part of the world is enough to stop the flood properties," she explained, underscoring the unprecedented nature of the current conditions. The relentless rainfall is directly contributing to these dangerously high water levels.
Widespread Disruption Across the UK
Storm Chandra is bringing a potent mix of severe weather conditions to much of the country, including:
- Strong and potentially damaging winds
- Heavy and persistent rainfall
- Significant snowfall in some regions
This follows a series of other storms that have already caused considerable disruption and damage nationwide, leaving the ground thoroughly saturated.
Amber Warning Zone and Continued Risk
The presenter focused particular concern on the south-west of England, where an amber weather warning remains in force. "The ground is saturated from all the wet weather we've had so far this year and the rain has nowhere to go other than to be bursting banks of rivers and flooding properties and businesses," Tobin warned. She confirmed that the heavy rain is "not going to stop for the rest of the day" in this region, indicating a prolonged period of risk.
Why Storm Chandra Was Named
In a notable departure from standard procedure, Tobin clarified the reasoning behind naming this particular weather system. "Normally we name the storm because of the strong powerful winds," she said. "This time we are naming it because of how heavy the rain is set to be and how relentless it is as well." This highlights the primary threat from Chandra being extreme precipitation rather than wind alone.
The situation remains dynamic and hazardous. Laura Tobin's urgent communication on Good Morning Britain serves as a critical public alert for residents in affected areas to take immediate precautions as Storm Chandra continues to unfold.
