Ruth Comerford, Zahra Fatima, and BBC Weather
Monmouth town centre in Wales flooded after Storm Claudia
A major incident has been declared in Monmouth following severe and widespread flooding caused by Storm Claudia.
Emergency services have been carrying out rescues, evacuations, and welfare checks since the incident was declared in the town at 01:30GMT on Saturday, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said.
A Met Office yellow rain warning remains in place until midday on Saturday with 60 flood warnings issued for England and nine flood warnings across Wales.
Wet conditions are expected to continue for many on Saturday morning as the UK heads towards a cold snap next week.
A number of businesses and homes in Monmouth town centre are underwater after the River Monnow burst its banks. Some locals have been evacuated to the local library amid ‘danger to life’ warnings.
“I haven’t seen it this bad in Monmouth for 20 to 30 years,” said local county councillor Martin Newell, who has a business in the town, adding that he was “absolutely heartbroken” for those affected.
One family described the moment they were left “holding on to a tree” after their car was submerged by floodwater as they travelled from Hereford train station to Abergavenny.
Monmouthshire County Council has urged motorists to avoid travelling in the local area.
Streets and gardens have been flooded in Monmouth after the river burst its banks
Rescue crews have been using dinghies to help people get about in flood-affected areas
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said some areas were expected to see up to a month’s worth of rain between Friday and Saturday.
Flood defences have been implemented in Bewdley, West Midlands, with emergency services in Shrewsbury set to follow suit on Saturday.
The British Red Cross said it had placed its emergency response teams on standby to help communities most at risk.
Beyond the weekend, sub-zero temperatures and potentially snow are expected for some, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing a cold weather alert from 08:00 GMT on Monday until the following Friday which covers the north of England and Midlands.
Friday’s downpours have caused some travel disruption, with National Rail warning of delays and cancellations over the weekend.
- Service disruption is expected throughout Saturday for Avanti West Coast, as-well as Transport for Wales, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services, while various Northern services are expecting disruption until 14:00 GMT
- CrossCountry services: All services between Stockport and Macclesfield will be cancelled or diverted due to damage to overhead wires between these stations. Multiple services running from Manchester Piccadilly are likely to be affected – with disruption expected until 13:30
- No trains will be running between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport until the end of Saturday due to a fallen tree on the track
- Great Western Railway: Lines between Exeter St. Davids and Barnstaple are expected to be closed until Sunday evening due to flooding – with rail replacement buses in place. Services between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, as-well as Chippenham and Bath Spa may be disrupted until 12:00 due to flooding, as services begin to resume. Meanwhile passengers are advised all services between Liskeard and Looe will be cancelled due to heavy flooding, with disruption expected to last until the end of the day.
The AA has advised against travelling in the “hazardous weather”, saying: “Safety comes first. Conditions may change quickly, so stay updated and make sure you’re prepared before you travel.”
Network Rail
Routes between London Paddington and Bristol and Swansea are closed due to flooding on the tracks, including here at Corsham near Bath
Some events have already been disrupted by the weather, including a Christmas event – Lapland UK – in Macclesfield being forced to shut because of falling trees.
Organisers have said they will examine the track at Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, on Saturday morning ahead of the scheduled seven-race Paddy Power Gold Cup card to decide whether racing was proceed.
PA Media
Racegoers brave the rainy conditions during Countryside Day at Cheltenham Racecourse
Storm Claudia – named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) – has already brought heavy rain and strong winds to Spain and Portugal.
The storm comes as the Environment Agency warned that England will experience widespread drought next year without a wet winter.
The country has received only 83% of the average rainfall for January to October, and suffered the driest spring for 132 years and the hottest summer on record.
Despite recent rainfall, the situation remains “precarious”, it said.
Reuters
Storm Claudia reached Northern Ireland on Friday.
