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Flash floods close roads in parts of the Midlands Floods close the M5 in Midlands – but Britain still set for sunny bank holiday
(about 4 hours later)
Flash floods have caused mayhem on roads in parts of the Midlands when storms and torrential rain broke out after a weekend of humid weather. Parts of Britain could enjoy the hottest day of the year so far on Monday as the humid weather that sparked thunderstorms, flash floods and traffic chaos in the Midlands on Sunday looked set to continue.
The equivalent of a month’s rain fell in one hour in parts of the region, leaving a submerged stretch of the M5 and other roads closed. Vehicles were left swamped in flood water up to 5ft deep. The equivalent of a month’s rain fell in one hour in parts of the Midlands, leaving a submerged stretch of the M5 and other roads closed. Vehicles were left swamped in flood water up to 1.5m (5ft) deep.
The Met Office said 2.3in fell in 60 minutes in Edgbaston and issued a yellow weather warning, meaning there could be “danger to life”. The Met Office said 58.6mm (2.3in fell in 60 minutes in Edgbaston and 81mm in a 12-hour period. The Met issued a yellow weather warning for the region, meaning there could be “danger to life”.
Multiple flood warnings across the area, covering parts of the Rea and Cole rivers, were announced by the Environment Agency. The monthly average for the West Midlands in May is 55mm, meteorologist Craig Snell said. But he said the torrential rain had been “very localised”.
Highways England was forced to close part of the M5 between Halesowen and Oldbury, and parts of the M42 and M6 were subject to lane and exit closures. The heavy downpours could continue for some on Monday, with a yellow weather warning for rain in place as thunderstorms roll south through Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire overnight.
A yellow weather warning for rain was also in place from Monday afternoon for large areas of East Anglia, the south-East including London, the south-west and Wales.
However, any rain appeared set to be preceded by temperatures up to 28C or 29C in the south-east, potentially surpassing the 2018 record of 29.1C on 19 April in central London.
“It all depends how much cloud develops,” Snell said. “There’s a chance we could see the warmest day of the year. It will be quite widely into the 20s across many parts of the UK. For a bank holiday Monday, it’s not looking too bad.
“Further thundery downpours might appear in the late afternoon – not everyone will see them but if you do see one they could be quite nasty.
Scotland would see the most prolonged sunshine, he said, but most areas would start dry and cloud cover quickly burn off.
On Sunday, Highways England was forced to close part of the M5 between Halesowen and Oldbury, and parts of the M42 and M6 were subject to lane and exit closures.
West Midlands police advised people to avoid driving in Birmingham: “Please try to avoid the following areas due to floods and road closures. Pershore Road at Oakfield Road, Selly Oak – reports of water 5ft deep. Road being closed and bus passengers being evacuated.”West Midlands police advised people to avoid driving in Birmingham: “Please try to avoid the following areas due to floods and road closures. Pershore Road at Oakfield Road, Selly Oak – reports of water 5ft deep. Road being closed and bus passengers being evacuated.”
Lots of flash flooding around the midlands this evening.If a road is flooded don’t drive down it, don’t let your stupidity or ignorance of the road conditions be a reason our colleagues @WestMidsFire @OFFICIALWMAS and @WMPolice have to come and rescue you! #DriveToArriveLots of flash flooding around the midlands this evening.If a road is flooded don’t drive down it, don’t let your stupidity or ignorance of the road conditions be a reason our colleagues @WestMidsFire @OFFICIALWMAS and @WMPolice have to come and rescue you! #DriveToArrive
Some train services operated by CrossCountry were disrupted when severe weather caused signalling problems near Birmingham New Street.Some train services operated by CrossCountry were disrupted when severe weather caused signalling problems near Birmingham New Street.
The University of Birmingham had to close its main sports and fitness centre due to flooding and several houses were reportedly deluged by water.The University of Birmingham had to close its main sports and fitness centre due to flooding and several houses were reportedly deluged by water.
Images on social media showed people wading through water to push stranded cars and there were reports of wheelie bins floating down roads.Images on social media showed people wading through water to push stranded cars and there were reports of wheelie bins floating down roads.
A total of 47 flood alerts were issued for other areas across the UK. Thunderstorms were expected to continue affecting parts of Wales, southern and central England into Monday morning. The Met Office was warning of potential power cuts and damage to buildings. A total of 47 flood alerts were issued for other areas across the UK.
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