Flood Warnings in Place as UK Braces for Heavy Rain

(CTN News) – Parts of the UK are facing an imminent threat of heavy rain and flooding as they brace for the arrival of Storm Ciarán later this week. Flood warnings have been issued in various regions of England, Scotland, and Wales, and yellow rain warnings are in place in Northern Ireland.

Storm Ciarán’s Arrival and Impact

Storm Ciarán is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern England and Wales when it makes landfall on Thursday. The persistent wet weather in recent days has left the ground saturated, increasing the risk of flooding.

Safety Precautions Advised

The Environment Agency is urging the public to exercise caution when navigating coastal paths and promenades. Additionally, they strongly advise against attempting to drive through floodwater, as just 30cm (11.8 inches) of flowing water can be enough to move a car.

BBC Weather and Met Office Warnings

BBC Weather’s lead presenter, Simon King, has warned that Storm Ciarán poses a significant risk of further flooding, especially in already saturated areas.

Initially, stormy conditions are expected in southern England and the Channel Isles, with wind gusts of up to 80mph and potentially even 90mph in exposed regions. Heavy rain is predicted to spread north and east throughout the day.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Almond has also issued a warning, noting that inland areas could experience wind gusts of up to 50 or 60 mph. This deep, low-pressure system is expected to bring heavy rain, with the heaviest rainfall anticipated in southern and western regions.

Unsettled Weather Forecast

Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna mentioned that various warnings are already in place across the UK, and more are expected to be issued in the coming days. He described Storm Ciarán as “probably quite a nasty storm.” Tuesday is expected to be unsettled but quieter, with heavy winds and prolonged spells of rain developing on Wednesday night into Thursday.

Recent Flooding Incidents

Over the weekend, severe flooding occurred in County Durham, leading to the evacuation of homes and damage to shops. In Hastings, East Sussex, a shopping center had to be evacuated as floodwaters breached one of its entrances.

Furthermore, a caravan park in Bognor Regis was submerged underwater, and residents in the town experienced heavy winds that caused damage, likened to a “tornado.”