Met Office Issues Yellow Warning for Flood-Hit South West England
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain in the South West of England, set to take effect from midday on Monday until 9am on Tuesday. This alert comes as parts of the region are already saturated following weeks of severe downpours and stormy conditions that have caused significant flooding and disruption.
Recent Flooding and Storm Damage
Earlier this week, a major incident was declared in Somerset after approximately 50 properties were flooded due to Storm Chandra, according to the county council. This follows stormy weather at the beginning of January that left tens of thousands of people without power in Cornwall. As of Saturday evening, there were already 57 government flood warnings and 117 flood alerts in place across the South of England, indicating ongoing risks despite the new warning not coming into force until Monday.
Floodwater in Burrowbridge, Somerset, earlier this week highlighted the severity of the situation, with homes and cars submerged in some areas. The Met Office has warned that accumulations of 10-20mm of rainfall are possible fairly widely in the South West, with potentially 30-50mm over Dartmoor in Devon.
Risks and Disruptions
The yellow warning notes a small chance of homes and businesses flooding, and fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life. Given the saturated ground from recent rain, there is a risk this may lead to further flooding and disruption. The Met Office stated, "Outbreaks of rain may become persistent on Monday, especially later in the day and overnight, before gradually easing and clearing into Tuesday."
Government flood advice for the next few days indicates that ongoing groundwater flooding is probable in parts of the South of England, and river flooding in the Somerset Levels wetland is possible over the next five days. Coastal flooding is also a concern, particularly on the coasts of the South West of England on Wednesday.
Wider Weather Context
January has been a very wet month for large parts of the UK, with official rainfall statistics set to be released on Monday. Sky News meteorologist Kirsty McCabe noted that parts of the South West, as well as Northern Ireland and eastern Scotland, have seen close to twice their typical January rainfall.
Looking further ahead, there is a possibility of a sudden stratospheric warming event in early February, which could trigger a cold spell. While such events do not always result in cold snaps, they greatly increase the risk of wintry weather and have been responsible for past events like the Beast from the East in 2018.
Impact in Ireland
Meanwhile, in Ireland, clean-up operations are underway after homes and roads were impacted by flooding. Parts of Co Wexford were among the worst-hit areas, with people advised to avoid Our Lady's Island following a landslide caused by the heavy rain.
This ongoing weather situation underscores the need for vigilance and preparedness in affected regions, as communities continue to deal with the aftermath of recent storms while bracing for more potential rainfall.
