UK (Parliament Politic Magazine) – Portions of the UK are on the brink of experiencing heavy rainfall and potential flooding in the coming days as Storm Ciarán approaches. Flood alerts have been activated in various regions of England, Scotland, and Wales, with Northern Ireland also under an amber rain warning.
Upon its arrival on Thursday, Storm Ciarán is expected to unleash strong winds and substantial rainfall upon southern England and Wales. This follows a weekend where several UK areas grappled with flooding. Meteorologists have cautioned that the already saturated ground, resulting from persistent rainy conditions, heightens the likelihood of flooding.
Met Office Issues Warnings
The Met Office’s amber rain warnings for Northern Ireland, signifying a notable risk of flooding and disruptions, encompass sections of Antrim, Down, and Armagh beginning at 21:00 GMT on Monday.
The Environment Agency has encouraged caution along coastal pathways and promenades, emphasizing the dangers of driving through floodwater, stating that as little as 30cm (12 inches) of flowing water can move a vehicle.
Met Office has issued a warning that Storm Ciarán could escalate the flood risk in specific regions. Stormy conditions are initially expected to impact southern England and the Channel Isles early on Thursday, with potentially damaging wind gusts reaching up to 80mph, and even up to 90mph in the most exposed areas.
Subsequently, heavy rainfall will move north and east throughout the day. According to Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Chris Almond, wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph could also be observed further inland.
Almond noted that a deep low-pressure system will usher in heavy rain across much of the UK. However, the most intense rainfall is anticipated in southern and western regions, where precipitation may reach 20 to 25mm across the area and possibly up to 40 to 60mm in elevated areas
Extended Period Of Rain Expected In Parts Of UK
Tuesday is anticipated to be unsettled but relatively calmer before a surge of heavy winds and extended periods of rain takes hold on Wednesday night, extending into Thursday. Over the weekend, a village in County Durham experienced severe flooding, leading to the evacuation of homes and damage to shops due to the inundation of “several feet of water.”
In Hastings, East Sussex, a shopping center had to be evacuated when floodwater breached one of its entrances.
On Sunday, a caravan park in Bognor Regis was submerged in floodwaters, and the town’s Tesco supermarket car park was flooded. Additionally, heavy winds tore the roof off a house, described by residents as resembling a “tornado.”
Around 80 homes in the Lincolnshire village of Fiskerton have been cautioned that they may face an ongoing flood threat due to damage discovered along a 30-meter (98.4-foot) section of the River Witham following the passage of Storm Babet.
Tom Bradshaw, the Deputy President of the National Farmers Union, noted that the heavy rainfall brought by Storm Babet rendered hundreds of acres of farmland inaccessible. The Midlands and northern England are grappling with a “devastatingly” wet harvest, resulting in the submersion of many crops for next year.
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Amber Rain Warning Issued In Certain Parts Of The Country
An amber rain warning has been issued for certain areas of counties Antrim, Down, and Armagh for Monday night. This is the second-highest level of warning available, signifying an elevated risk of flooding and disruptions.
The Met Office is predicting rainfall ranging from 25mm to 50mm in various locations, with the potential for up to 100mm over elevated terrain, carrying the risk of potential flooding.
Homes and businesses may be impacted, and travel disruptions are likely. The amber warning will remain in effect from 21:00 GMT on Monday until 09:00 on Tuesday.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has cautioned drivers about the potential hazards of navigating through floodwater, stating, “Even a relatively shallow amount of fast-flowing water could displace your vehicle, and even driving through shallow water could harm your engine.”
In Dromantine, located in County Down, a situation has arisen where over 30 sheep found themselves marooned in a waterlogged field. The fire service has been mobilized to the scene, and local farmers have successfully saved 70 sheep from the water in the last few hours.