The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for rain, citing a potential danger to life across parts of northern England and southwest Scotland this weekend. Fast-flowing or deep floodwater is anticipated due to relentless heavy rains, with homes and businesses facing a high likelihood of flooding.
The alert, issued on Saturday, targets southwestern Scotland, including Dumfries and Galloway, the Lothian borders, and Strathclyde, where some areas could see between 110mm and 130mm of rainfall. The warning begins at midnight on Sunday and lasts until 23.59pm. An additional amber alert for rain has been issued for Cumbria, starting at 6am on Sunday and lasting until 6pm on Monday, with more than 200mm of rain possible in western parts.
The Met Office advised residents to avoid floodwater, stating it is not safe to drive, walk, or swim through it. Those affected by fast-flowing or deep floodwater should call 999 and wait for help. People are also urged to prepare for travel disruptions, as road conditions are expected to become potentially dangerous due to flooding.
The washout may lead to power cuts and some communities could be cut off by flooded roads. The Met Office recommends preparing a flood kit containing insurance documents, a torch, spare batteries, a first-aid kit, prescription medicines, supplies for family members or pets, warm and waterproof clothes, blankets, and food and water.
Several yellow alerts for rain are also in place from Saturday into Monday across parts of Scotland, northern England (including Derbyshire, Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Yorkshire), parts of Wales, and Northern Ireland.
