SUBMERGED BRITAIN
UK weather: Pubs flooded, cars underwater & SEWAGE runs in streets as torrential rain hits – with more chaos to come
BRITS have been battered by torrential rain today with pubs flooded, cars submerged underwater and sewage running in the streets.
Homes have been left without power and vehicles stranded as flood chaos overwhelmed parts of England and Wales.
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It comes as the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for "persistent heavy rain" in parts of Wales and Southwest England.
The weather service said some areas of higher ground may receive 70-90mm or more of rain, and downpours could flood properties and cause power cuts.
There are currently 159 active flood alerts in England with 59 flood warnings issued.
Two pubs were among several buildings flooded in the centre of York when a nearby river burst its banks.
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While stunned residents reported sewage running down roads because of the heavy rain.
New warnings were today issued for the River Exe near Tiverton and the River Avon from Malmesbury to Chippenham.
Relentless rain has caused delays and cancellations on public transport for commuters.
While spray and flooding could lead to treacherous driving conditions and road closures, the forecaster added.
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45 flood alerts are in place in Wales with people being urged only to drive if "absolutely necessary" due to hazardous driving conditions.
Several roads have been closed as a result of flooding this morning, while train services also seeing major delays.
It's seen large parts of towns flooded with cars sitting submerged near Cardiff.
And people are being urged to stay away from storm-lashed and rapidly crumbling Birnbeck pier in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
Sections of the 1,150ft long pier, which has fallen into disuse and in in a deteriorating state, have been crashing into the sea as the atrocious weather continues.
A Birnbeck Regeneration Trust spokesman warned: "Part of the bridge decking has succumbed to the elements.
"We can't emphasise enough that the bridge is not safe either to attempt to cross or pass underneath.
"Stay safe, don't take risks as this endangers your own and the lives of other people."
Heavy rain and gusts have battered the country this week with widespread reports of power cuts.
Thousands of homes were blacked out in the bad weather including almost 200 near Worcester, almost 130 in Exeter, Devon, and over 150 at Morecambe, Lancashire.
Aerial photos taken yesterday showed Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire almost completely cut off by flood water.
The Environment Agency was monitoring flood levels and "operating flood gates and barriers at locations across the country", with work also under way to prevent blockages in waterways.
And tomorrow will not be any better with yellow warnings for strong winds in England and Northern Ireland.
Looking forward to next week, bitterly cold conditions await with snow a possibility according to some forecasters.
Temperatures across the UK are expected to plummet with another big chill in store north of the border between Monday and Thursday.
The Met Office said: "There is a lot of uncertainty as we move into next week but there are signs of a brief colder spell which could see further snow showers."
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It is understood snow could fall on the Scottish mountains before heading south if temperatures drop.
Weather specialists WXCharts forecast that snow will blanket the country on Monday, January 16.
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