Weather: BBC forecasts thunderstorms and flash flooding
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Millions of Britons will have welcomed today’s weather, having gone several months without rain, but the intense showers come with several inherent risks. Experts have warned that baked earth is not prepared to absorb the excess water, which may pool on the surface in several hard-hit areas. The Met Office has warned that flooding today could cause a “danger to life”, and the Environment Agency has placed 16 alerts.
Where are UK flood warnings?
Met Office forecasters have placed the entirety of England and Wales under a single alert today as thunderstorms could cause a “danger to life” via flooding.
The agency has predicted 20mm to 30mm (0.7 to 1.18 inches) of rain per hour across both home nations until 11.59pm today, August 16.
Floods caused by intense rainfall could cause “fast flowing or deep floodwater” and a “danger to life”.
The Environment Agency has placed 16 areas on “flood alert” today, including the following locations:
- Beverley Brook area in Merton, Sutton
- Bottle Brook in Derbyshire
- Loughborough urban watercourses and River Soar tributaries
- Ravensbourne area in Lewisham, Bromley, Greenwich and Croydon
- River Erewash Tributaries in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
- River Hogsmill area from Ewell to Kingston upon Thames
- River Leen, Day Brook and Tottle Brook in Nottinghamshire
- River Maun in Nottinghamshire
- River Rythe from Oxshott to Thames Ditton
- River Trent Tributaries in Nottinghamshire
- River Wandle area in Wandsworth, Merton, Lambeth, Croydon and Sutton
- Shuttle and Cray
- The north Norfolk coast from East Cley to Kelling Hard, including Salthouse
- The north Norfolk coast from Old Hunstanton to and including Cley
- Tributaries in North Derbyshire
- Tributaries in South Derbyshire
What should you do during a flood warning?
Flood alerts state that flooding is “possible” in the warning area and that people should prepare for the worst.
The Environment Agency urges people in any of the above areas to sign up for its flood warning system and keep up to date with the flood risk situation.
Officials have also asked people to gather vital belongings and family members.
Anyone expecting floods should prepare a bag of documents and any necessary medications.
They should also ensure they know how to turn off their gas and electricity, as flood waters may dislodge supplies and cause further damage.
People must also plan where to move ahead of flooding with their family members and pets.
Forecasters expect the disruption in England and Wales today to last into tomorrow.
The Met Office has a second thunderstorm alert in place for the UK from 12am on August 17.
The warning is in place for the East and West Midlands, East of England, London and Southeast England, Southwest England and Wales, and comes with similar risks to today’s.
Floods could cause building damage and a danger to life with up to 60mm (2.3 inches) of rain within three hours.
Hail and lightning will follow, and power cuts are possible in some of the warning areas.
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