Cold Arctic air has swept across the UK, bringing freezing temperatures as emergency services continue to deal with severe flooding caused by Storm Claudia. On Saturday, a major incident was declared in Monmouth, south-east Wales, where people were rescued or evacuated from flooded homes. The incident was rescinded on Sunday afternoon, the fire service said.
Four severe flood warnings imposed by Natural Resources Wales, which warned of a danger to life, remained in place on Sunday morning. By Sunday evening, these had been cancelled, but seven flood alerts remained, indicating that flooding is possible. River levels on the Monnow reached record levels, exceeding those recorded during Storm Dennis in 2020 and Storm Bert last year.
Homes, businesses, transport and energy infrastructure suffered from “significant flooding” in parts of Wales, according to the Welsh government. In England, there were 41 flood warnings in place on Sunday morning, dropping to 26 by the evening. The Environment Agency reported that 57 properties in England had flooded, including some in Cumbria.
Sarah Cook, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said river levels were “slowly falling” but warned that “minor flooding impacts may continue on the Severn, Trent, Ouse and Don, with wider impacts possible across England and on the Norfolk Broads early next week”.
The storm’s retreat is ushering in a cold snap, with temperatures plummeting to freezing and possible snow and ice. Saturday night was the coldest since 20 March, with temperatures falling to -7C in Tulloch Bridge, Scotland. The Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, Dan Holley, said: “As Storm Claudia retreats to the south, high pressure to the north-west will drive a cold northerly flow from the Arctic across the UK.”
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold weather warning for parts of the Midlands and northern England from Monday until Friday. Snow is possible on higher ground in the northern half of the UK by Tuesday. The Fire Brigades Union said it was under “immense pressure” due to severe flooding, with years of cuts leaving firefighters under “increasing strain” during major weather events.
