The Met Office has issued fresh yellow weather warnings for rain in southwest England, less than a week after Storm Chandra caused widespread flooding. The warnings cover Cornwall and Devon from midday on Monday until Tuesday morning, with forecasters warning of possible flooding and danger to life from deep floodwater.
Chief forecaster Rebekah Hicks said that while rainfall totals are not expected to match Storm Chandra, around 25mm per day in warning areas could lead to difficult travel conditions and further flooding. A separate yellow rain alert is in place for the same region until Saturday morning, stretching from Land’s End to Exeter.
The RNLI has urged vigilance near the coast in Devon and Cornwall, warning of 10 to 15-foot waves with a long swell period of up to 17 seconds. This could cause sudden surges of water up to 300 metres inland, potentially sweeping people off their feet. High tide on Friday is expected to heighten the risk.
In Somerset, an estimated 50 properties have been affected by flooding across Ilminster, West Coker, Taunton, Mudford and West Camel. The Flooding on the Levels Action Group is calling for upgrades to the Northmoor pumping station to improve drainage.
Yellow rainfall warnings are also in place for seven counties in the Republic of Ireland and all counties in Northern Ireland, with risks of further flooding and travel disruption. The unsettled weather is expected to continue into next week, with heavy rain and strong winds affecting many areas.
