Storm Chandra Sparks Major Flood Incident and Hundreds of Warnings Nationwide
Storm Chandra has unleashed heavy rainfall across the United Kingdom, prompting the declaration of a major incident in Somerset and triggering hundreds of flood warnings and alerts. The severe weather conditions have led to widespread disruption, including road closures and travel delays, as emergency services work to manage the ongoing situation.
Flood Warnings and Alerts in Place Across the UK
Following the deluge brought by Storm Chandra, a significant number of flood warnings and alerts have been issued across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In England alone, there were 99 flood warnings, indicating that flooding is expected, and 260 flood alerts, where flooding is possible. Wales reported three flood warnings and 16 alerts, while Scotland had eight warnings and eight alerts. Notably, Katesbridge in Northern Ireland recorded 103mm of rain on Tuesday, according to the Met Office.
Major Incident Declared in Somerset Due to High Flood Risk
Somerset Council has declared a major incident in response to the high risk of flooding in the levels and moors. Council leader Bill Revans emphasised the importance of this proactive measure, stating that it positions authorities to effectively respond to the ongoing challenges. He highlighted that Storm Chandra delivered over 50mm of rain to parts of Somerset overnight, exacerbating already saturated land and causing extensive disruption. Residents are urged to avoid travel and never attempt to drive through floodwater.
Emergency Response and Rescue Operations Underway
Search and rescue teams have been actively combing through vehicles on flooded roads in areas such as Northern Ireland, Kent, and County Durham. In Devon and Somerset, firefighters successfully rescued individuals from 25 vehicles trapped in floodwater on Tuesday morning, with no casualties reported, according to a spokesman for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Widespread Travel Disruption and Road Closures
The impact of Storm Chandra has resulted in multiple road closures across the UK, particularly in south-west England. Key routes affected include:
- The A30 in Devon between the B3174/B3180 junctions near Ottery St Mary and the B3184 for Exeter Airport.
- The M5 southbound between Cullompton and Exeter, closed due to flooding.
- The A303 in Somerset between the A3088 and A37.
- The A1 south of Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland.
- In Scotland, the A82 north of Spean Bridge was closed southbound because of fallen trees, and the Bridge of Orchy on the A82 was restricted for high-sided vehicles.
Disruption has also been reported in other regions, including the south coast, north of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Transport Services Affected by Severe Weather
Storm Chandra has caused significant delays and cancellations across various transport networks. Domestic flights were cancelled on routes serving airports such as Birmingham, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heathrow, Leeds Bradford, London City, Manchester, and Southampton on Tuesday. Great Western Railway advised passengers against travel between Exeter St Davids and both Okehampton and Barnstaple, with services in Somerset and Cornwall cancelled on Wednesday. ScotRail implemented speed restrictions on services between Edinburgh, Inverness, and Glasgow Queen Street until 10am on Wednesday, while National Rail warned of disruptions potentially lasting until Friday.
Weather Warnings Issued for Ice and Further Rain
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for ice on Wednesday morning, covering much of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and southern and central Scotland. Additionally, a yellow warning for rain is in place for south-west England on Thursday, with forecasts indicating that further rainfall could exacerbate flooding and cause additional transport disruption.
Background on Storm Naming and Ongoing Monitoring
Storm Chandra is the latest storm to be named by the western Europe storm naming group, a collaborative list shared between the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging the public to stay informed and take necessary precautions as the weather conditions evolve.
