Flood chaos sees schools shut, football matches cancelled & towns underwater as 17 warnings issued after ‘tornado’ hit

FLOOD chaos has forced schools to shut, scrapped football matches and submerged towns - as 17 warnings have been issued.

Shocking footage revealed how heavy rain and tornados have wreaked havoc across Britain, affecting major UK airports, roads and services.

The storm has battered the UK today bringing a month's rain in 48 hours and sparking flooding so severe schools were forced to close.

A house in Stoke-on-Trent "exploded" after lightning struck over the weekend in a storm that marked the start of days of chaos.

Much of England and Wales is under a Met Office amber danger warning today until 9pm.

It warned: "Homes and businesses may be flooded, causing damage to some buildings."

And there's "a possibility that some communities will be cut off by flooded roads".

A car was pictured totally submerged in floodwater on the A421 in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, this morning - with only its open boot showing above the water.

The floodwater is under a bridge and about 150 metres either side.

A local man, who did not want to be named, said he has lived in the area for 45 years and he has "never seen anything like it".

He said the flooded road is usually "very busy" with traffic but the "pumps just can't take" the water.

In Longton, Stoke, a grandmother told how a lightning bolt that blew off her roof was like “a bomb” going off.

Footage showed the incredible moment the electricity struck Susan Hobson’s three-bed semi - then sparked a gas explosion.

Incredibly the pensioner and son Darren, 51, who was staying with her were unhurt - despite being on the first-floor and left looking up through the wrecked roof.

They then had to run through flames hurtling through the £200,000 home as a torn gas main raged like a “giant Bunsen burner”.

Elsewhere, holidaymakers travelling to Luton Airport this morning were "jammed for miles" after roads became completely waterlogged over night.

Footage outside the airport showed the "total chaos" as backlogged traffic tried to navigate the flooded areas.

AFC Wimbledon and Newcastle’s Carabao Cup third-round meeting on Tuesday has been called off due to "extensive overnight flooding" at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

The Dons' stadium in London is now closed as a result with a rescheduled date for the tie yet to be confirmed.

A statement on Wimbledon’s official website read: “We regret to inform supporters that due to extensive overnight flooding of the River Wandle and surrounding areas, including at our Cherry Red Records Stadium, Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round fixture against Newcastle United has been postponed.

“More information will follow in due course regarding fixture rearrangement.

“The stadium is closed until further notice.”

The Overground and some Tube lines in London have also been partly suspended due to flooding.

The District Line is not running between Turnham Green and Richmond, while the Piccadilly and Metropolitan lines are suspended between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge.

And, there is no Overground service between South Acton and Richmond, while severe delays on the Bakerloo Line, and Metropolitan line between Rayners Lane and Harrow-on-the-Hill is affecting users.

Meanwhile, London Fire Brigade reported its 999 control officers have taken around 350 calls on flooding across the capital.

Firefighters have attended incidents in areas such as Ruislip, Uxbridge, Wimbledon and Carshalton.

The service said these included rescuing people trapped in cars, assisting people from their homes and responding to flooding in underground stations, roadways, residences and commercial properties.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “As firefighters continue to work with partners to keep Londoners safe, it’s important to make sure you know what to do if you experience flooding.

“Firefighters carried out multiple rescues involving people trapped in cars throughout the night. If possible, please avoid driving into flooded water or a flooded area as vehicles can quickly become unstable in moving water.

“If you’re driving and your car becomes caught in flood waters, ensure you and your passengers unbuckle your seat belts and where possible climb out to safety.

“If you become trapped in your vehicle, turn on all the lights, including your hazard warning lights. Shout and sound your horn for help, and if you are able to reach your mobile, call 999.”

And, in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, flooding has seen raw sewage pour into the entrance to the village.

On Sunday, Bedfordshire Police warned the town's High Street was closed because of "substantial flooding".

Footage posted online shows cars floating in floodwater in Dunstable after heavy rain overnight.

Some areas could see 120mm (4.7ins) of rain today — well over the typical 60-90mm September total — before a cold spell with frosts kicks in.

Sandbags were handed out in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, to protect homes, while the town's Morrisons was closed because of water pouring through the roof.

As of 7.40am, 13 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – were issued for England by the Environment Agency.

Schools shuttered across the country as water poured into buildings.

Chosen Hill School in Churchdown, The Milestone School in Gloucester and Tewkesbury CofE Primary are closed while damage is assessed.

Areas affected by the flood warnings include Atherstone in Warwickshire, Leighton Buzzard and Luton in Bedfordshire and parts of London including Wimbledon and South Ruislip.

That band of rain will push North and West today with severe downpours due between 5am and 9pm from Gloucester up to Hull.

Video taken in Luton, Bedfordshire, also appeared to show a 'mini-tornado' launching debris into the air.

Meanwhile security camera footage captured the terrifying moment lightning appeared to strike a home which triggered an explosion on Saturday.

Firefighters and police were called to Bambury Street in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, before a cordon went up and homes were evacuated.

In the 10-second clip lightning lights the skies as a loud exploding noise echoes around the neighbourhood.

A bright yellow flash comes from the roof in what looks like flames.

Lightning also saw punters in a Wetherspoons evacuated last night.

The Avion, in Aldridge in the West Midlands was hit around 7pm, and prompted calls from the fire brigade.

West Midlands Fire Service confirmed two fire engines and around 15 firefighters were sent to the scene.

A sportsperson for Aldridge Police wrote on X: "Aldridge went off with a bang this evening when lightening struck the Avion. Emergency services were called and pleased to confirm all customers evacuated, safe and well."

Elsewhere, a man from Northamptonshire described the moment he saw a “wave of water” heading towards him during flooding on Sunday night.

Tim Maher and his partner Carol Findon, from Grendon, saw their two-storey home partially submerged overnight with more than a foot of water.

Mr Maher told the PA news agency: “We’ve had an awful lot of rain in recent days and some forecasters were warning we could see a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.

“I have an app on my phone which tracks river levels and at around 8.45pm it rocketed up.

“I decided to drive down to the bridge and saw the water breaking the banks and coming down the road towards me.

“I quickly turned around, drove home and put up a flood barrier we’ve got up against the door. It kept out a lot of the water but we’ve had about an inch overnight.

“We’ve had some damage to the carpets, settees and other furniture. The most difficult bit will be drying out the structure.

“We haven’t had much sleep and at least eight houses on our road have been impacted. It would be nice to get a permanent solution to this problem.”

Jon Sayles, also from Grendon, said his home had been hit with “two feet” of water.

He said: “At about 9pm last night, water came in through the back of the house. I’ve had about two feet of water.

“I’ve got electrical problems, the sockets don’t work, the fridge isn’t working and there’s damage to the carpet and settees.

“I was in bed as I’d decided to have an early night. A neighbour called me to tell me what was happening so I went to have a look and saw the water. It was unbelievable.

“I’m still clearing up and had no sleep last night.”

It comes as a hairdresser in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, was also left cleaning up after flooding last night.

Kirsty Brewer said it was the fourth time the business had flooded in the last six or seven years.

The 31-year-old, who rents a chair in the business, said: “It started yesterday afternoon when the whole of Dunstable was flooded. It was up to your knee deep, the road comes down so we’re sitting in a bit of a well.

“We don’t open on Sundays or Mondays, so it’s not affected business in that way, it’s just a big clean-up. It was full of mud when we got here at 9am.

“This is the fourth time that it has happened in the last six or seven years, so we’ve got all the electricals up, we’re prepared. We know how to handle it. Because we are a listed building we’re not allowed a flood gate.

“The first time that it happened it was thousands of pounds worth of damage. It happened last year, it’s like a once-a-year thing.”

Met Office expert Frank Saunders said: "The new working week begins with rain across a large swathe of England and Wales.

"It's likely some parts will be worse affected than others.

"It all depends on where, and if, the weather system responsible for the heavy rain stalls and pivots.

"However, within this warning period — which encompasses two rush-hours — a few areas could see in excess of 100mm of rain.

"This brings the potential for travel disruption and localised flooding."

Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick added: "The spell of settled warmer weather has gone and we are going to see a downward trend in temperatures.

"There will be a cold spell in some places from Wednesday with grass frost and temperatures could be below average in northern England and Scotland.

"It's safe to say autumn has well and truly arrived."

Environment Agency flood duty manager Sarah Cook said "persistent heavy rain and thunderstorms" could lead to some property flooding and travel disruption.

She said: "Persistent heavy rain and thunderstorms could lead to significant surface water flooding on Monday across parts of England.

"The impacts could include localised flooding in urban areas and fast-responding catchments, including some property flooding as well as travel disruption. The risk from river flooding remains low.

"Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and ready to support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.

"We urge people to plan their journeys carefully, follow the advice of local emergency services on the roads and not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

"People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation as well as following @EnvAgency on X, formerly Twitter, for the latest flood updates."

A Luton Airport spokesperson said: "Due to adverse weather, localised flooding is possible.

"Please allow extra time for your journey to and from the airport.
"Public transport could also be affected. For the latest status of your flight, please contact your airline."