A major incident has been declared in Wales after Storm Claudia caused severe flooding, with dozens of people rescued or evacuated in Monmouth when the River Monnow burst its banks. The Met Office has warned that a cold snap could bring snow and temperatures as low as -7C in the coming days.
Rainfall of 119.6mm was recorded at Tafalog in Gwent over 12 hours to 6am on Saturday, while 80.6mm fell at Suckley in Worcestershire. Winds reached 68mph at Warcop Range in Cumbria and 63mph at Aberdaron in Gwynedd.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident in Monmouth early on Saturday, with crews working alongside police, ambulance, mountain rescue, and coastguard teams. Area manager Matt Jones described conditions as challenging due to fast-moving water and blocked roads, urging the public to avoid the area.
The Environment Agency reported 20 properties flooded in England, including in Cumbria. The UK Health Security Agency issued a cold weather warning for parts of the Midlands and northern England from Monday, with disruption expected until Saturday. National Rail advised travellers to check before travelling.
In Northern Ireland, a yellow rain warning is in place for counties Armagh and Down until noon Saturday, with a risk of flooding. In the Republic of Ireland, an orange warning covered Dublin, Wexford, and Wicklow until 8am, with yellow warnings in 10 other counties.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: “As Storm Claudia retreats, high pressure to the north-west will drive a cold northerly flow from the Arctic, bringing much colder conditions and a risk of snow and ice.” In Portugal, an 85-year-old British woman died after an extreme wind storm at a campsite in Albufeira, with 23 others injured.
