Weather forecast tracker live – UK floods to cause major power cuts as heavy rain washes away homes before snow arrives
Brits have been battered by torrential rain with nearly a FOOT of downpours expected in the coming days, as danger-to-life floods grip parts of the country.
On Thursday, around 500 homes were evacuated from the Scottish border town of Hawick, while in Cumbria, the River Cocker burst its banks.
Hours later, two road bridges were “washed away” in Dumfries and Galloway, as heavy rain and floods disrupted travel across southern Scotland and north west England.
A separate yellow warning of rain for south-west England was in place from 3pm on Thursday until 9am - while another warning in Wales lasts until 3pm today.
Read our flood tracker live blog below for the latest alerts...
Pictured: Lake District flooding
Persistent, heavy rain has led to flooding and disruption, and a danger to life warning has been issued as Brits are warned to stay away from fast-flowing or deep floodwater.
Nearly 300mm is expected to fall in amber warning areas across some of the Cumbrian fells.
High water levels on the River Kent in Kendal, Cumbria Credit: PA The A66 near Kesiwick this morning as the river has burst its banks in some areas Credit: Jordan Crosby Holidaymakers in Lake District urged to stay alert
Ben Lukey, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Working with our partners in local resilience forums, Environment Agency teams have been out on the ground clearing waste grilles and screens, and stand ready to operate flood defences if needed.
"They are also ready to support local authorities in their response to surface water flooding.
“We are urging residents and visitors, especially holidaymakers in the Lake District, to stay alert and check their flood risk by signing up for free flood warnings on the Gov.uk website and via @EnvAgency on Twitter, which offer the latest updates."
Met Office Chief Meteorologist gives warning
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen, said “The rain is likely to become more showery and less persistent, albeit still heavy at times, during Thursday night and perhaps Friday morning, with a separate warning still in force at that time.
“These amounts of rainfall present a real threat of flooding and people should keep a close eye on flood warnings from the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and SEPA.
Nine 'immediate action' flood warnings in place in Cumbria
There were nine in place in Cumbria on Thursday morning.
These areas included Keswick campsite, the River Ehen at Low Mill, and the River Cocker at Southwaite Bridge.
‘A serious risk to the railway’
Liam Sumpter, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: "Extreme rainfall can pose a serious risk to the railway, causing landslips or damaging our infrastructure and bridges.
"The safety of our passengers and colleagues is our main priority during periods of poor weather, and slowing services down and running fewer trains will help us manage these conditions for everyone."
Network Rail experiencing delays
Network Rail wrote on Twitter that there were delays to some journeys in Lancashire and Cumbria due to the persistent rain and safety-related speed restrictions are in place from 7pm Wednesday until Friday morning.
Passengers travelling between Glasgow or Edinburgh and Carlisle are being advised to travel only if the journey is "absolutely necessary".
Explained: What does life-threatening flooding mean?
It means persistent, heavy rain leading to flooding and disruption.
People could also expect:
- Homes and businesses flooded and damage to some buildings
- Danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater
- Delays or cancellations to train and bus services
- Spray and flooding leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- Some communities cut off by flooded roads
- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
Hours of heavy rainfall strike Cumbria
Cumbria had already had 12 hours of heavy rainfall on Wednesday, the service said.
Cumbria constabulary advised motorists to take care when driving on wet roads and be mindful that spray can reduce visibility, while Cumbria fire and rescue service said residents should be alert to the dangers of flood water.
“Never enter flood water on foot or in a vehicle. Call 999 if life is at risk – we are here to help,” the service tweeted.
UK flooding in pictures
The Met Office said there could be a "danger to life from fast-flowing or deep floodwater" in areas like Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland.
The amber alerts also warn of potential damage to homes and businesses from flooding, dangerous driving conditions and travel disruption.
Communities could be cut off by flooded roads and face power cuts, according to the service.
Rainfall total much higher than the average
Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: "The rainfall total is much higher than the average rainfall for this time of year, definitely, and in general, for any time of year it's a lot of rainfall in a short period of time."
Windermere ferry halted
Eight flood warnings are in place across Cumbria as more than a foot of rain falls in some parts of county.
The Windermere ferry has been unable to run today because the lake is too full after more than a foot of rain fell over parts of Cumbria in 24 hours.
Operators of the Windermere ferry tweeted: “Due to excessive rainfall overnight the lake levels have risen to an extent whereby we cannot land safely and must suspend services till levels drop”.
‘Life threatening flooding’
The Met Office has warned of life-threatening flooding as it issued amber weather warnings for rain in parts of England and Scotland.
Glasgow - as the city prepares for the COP26 climate summit - has been deluged by heavy rain, leaving cars stranded in roads.
Meanwhile Cumbria is being lashed with "persistent and heavy rain", which is not likely to ease until tonight, the service said.
BRUTAL WEATHER
Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall said: "Autumn is very much with us across the UK through this week, turning a lot more unsettled over the next few days.
"Through Wednesday morning the rain will turn more persistent for parts of Northern Ireland but especially southwest Scotland and Cumbria.
"We have a weather warning in place and we could see a large amount of rain building up through the course of Wednesday and into Thursday with a risk of flooding and some pretty tricky travelling conditions.
"Highs of 18C though, very very mild for this stage of the year.
"This wet weather will gradually trickle a little further southwards into north Wales and perhaps the north west Midlands as we go into Thursday.
"Quite strong winds as well, so we will continue to see some quite disruptive rainfall at times."
SNOW COMING
Snow remains a risk until next Thursday - when heavy rain and high winds move in once again.
WX weather charts show a rise in the likelihood of snow across parts of Scotland on November 3.
WIND AND RAIN
Gale force winds will accompany the deluge causing half-term chaos for families across the UK - though temperatures will remain mild for the time of year.
And the showers and high winds will continue into the weekend, with the wet weather coming to end on Sunday night.
But while early next week may provide some respite, WX weather charts show a rise in the likelihood of snow across parts of Scotland on November 3.
DEEP WATERS
Public transport could be shut down in some areas while the Met Office also warns there is a chance "that some communities will become cut off" entirely by the water levels.
Two flood warnings and 15 flood alerts are in place for England, while Scotland has one and four in place respectively.
Six inches (160mm) will fall in parts today, and up to eight inches (200mm) is expected on Thursday and Friday.
That amounts to as much as a month's worth of rain in under 24 hours.
FLOODING 'EXPECTED'
Flooding is "expected" in the Lake District and south west Scotland with a risk of homes and businesses being flooded and damaged.
Disruption and travel chaos is expected across the region with the warnings in place from today until just before midnight on Friday.
These stretch from south west Scotland and north west England to western Wales and warn of "fast flowing" and "deep" flood water in homes and businesses.