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Flood warnings as wind and rain batter UK Flood warnings as wind and rain batter UK
(12 months later)
Rain and wind continued to wreak havoc across the UK this weekend, with south-west England and Wales battered by gusts of up to 71mph.Rain and wind continued to wreak havoc across the UK this weekend, with south-west England and Wales battered by gusts of up to 71mph.
About 10,000 homes were left without power in south Wales and the west Midlands, as well as 2,000 in the south-west, Western Power said.About 10,000 homes were left without power in south Wales and the west Midlands, as well as 2,000 in the south-west, Western Power said.
The outages were caused by weather-related problems, such as trees bringing lines down, trees leaning on lines, or debris hitting power lines, a spokeswoman said.The outages were caused by weather-related problems, such as trees bringing lines down, trees leaning on lines, or debris hitting power lines, a spokeswoman said.
Cardiff council received reports of 50 to 60 trees brought down by the weather across the city and set up an emergency response centre to co-ordinate their operation, a spokeswoman said.Cardiff council received reports of 50 to 60 trees brought down by the weather across the city and set up an emergency response centre to co-ordinate their operation, a spokeswoman said.
The Severn bridge was also closed in both directions to high-sided vehicles on Sunday because of strong winds.The Severn bridge was also closed in both directions to high-sided vehicles on Sunday because of strong winds.
Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service was busy throughout the night across both counties with numerous calls reporting trees and electrical cables either down in the road or affecting people's properties.Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service was busy throughout the night across both counties with numerous calls reporting trees and electrical cables either down in the road or affecting people's properties.
High winds across Devon resulted in treacherous driving conditions with surface water and other debris, including a large road sign blown on to the carriageway of the A38 at Chudleigh Knighton.High winds across Devon resulted in treacherous driving conditions with surface water and other debris, including a large road sign blown on to the carriageway of the A38 at Chudleigh Knighton.
Over 24 hours, police in Gloucestershire received more than 60 reports of trees down and localised flooding, and officers were called to help with a large tree which came down on the A417 near Cirencester.Over 24 hours, police in Gloucestershire received more than 60 reports of trees down and localised flooding, and officers were called to help with a large tree which came down on the A417 near Cirencester.
In Dorset, high winds and lashing rain affected not only people, but animals too, with Dartmoor Zoo closing on Sunday "for the reasons of safety and animal welfare".In Dorset, high winds and lashing rain affected not only people, but animals too, with Dartmoor Zoo closing on Sunday "for the reasons of safety and animal welfare".
And Essex Police said a section of the A12 near Chelmsford was closed amid concerns that two crashes on Sunday morning were due to flooding.And Essex Police said a section of the A12 near Chelmsford was closed amid concerns that two crashes on Sunday morning were due to flooding.
The latest downpours come at the end of a particularly wet week for England and Wales, in which 42mm (1.7in) of rain fell in the south-east and 55mm in the south-west, which has now had 166% of the average rainfall for April.The latest downpours come at the end of a particularly wet week for England and Wales, in which 42mm (1.7in) of rain fell in the south-east and 55mm in the south-west, which has now had 166% of the average rainfall for April.
Properties were flooded in St Helen Auckland, Co Durham, on Thursday, while there were localised floods in Devon and Cornwall earlier in the week.Properties were flooded in St Helen Auckland, Co Durham, on Thursday, while there were localised floods in Devon and Cornwall earlier in the week.
Matt Dobson, senior forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said the southern half of the UK had seen the worst weather, with a gust of 71mph recorded in Mumbles in the Gower peninsula, south Wales, as well of 45 to 55mph winds further inland.Matt Dobson, senior forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said the southern half of the UK had seen the worst weather, with a gust of 71mph recorded in Mumbles in the Gower peninsula, south Wales, as well of 45 to 55mph winds further inland.
The Environment Agency warned of localised flooding on Monday across parts of southern and eastern England, the Midlands and Wales, with a total of 17 flood warnings in place on its website.The Environment Agency warned of localised flooding on Monday across parts of southern and eastern England, the Midlands and Wales, with a total of 17 flood warnings in place on its website.
A spokeswoman said: "It's not unusual to experience heavy downpours and some flooding – mainly of farmland – at this time of year, but we're continuing to closely monitor the forecast and rainfall particularly in areas along the Rivers Severn, Teme and Avon, including Worcestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.A spokeswoman said: "It's not unusual to experience heavy downpours and some flooding – mainly of farmland – at this time of year, but we're continuing to closely monitor the forecast and rainfall particularly in areas along the Rivers Severn, Teme and Avon, including Worcestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.
"Environment Agency teams are out on the ground continuing a close watch on river levels as well as checking defences and clearing any potential blockages to reduce the risk of flooding.""Environment Agency teams are out on the ground continuing a close watch on river levels as well as checking defences and clearing any potential blockages to reduce the risk of flooding."
Many areas at risk of floods are currently in a state of drought. But soil affected by prolonged dry weather is increasing the risk of flash floods as heavy rain quickly runs off hard, compacted ground. And while some parts of Britain can hope for a reprieve tomorrow, the south-west shows no sign of drying up with the wet weather set to continue.Many areas at risk of floods are currently in a state of drought. But soil affected by prolonged dry weather is increasing the risk of flash floods as heavy rain quickly runs off hard, compacted ground. And while some parts of Britain can hope for a reprieve tomorrow, the south-west shows no sign of drying up with the wet weather set to continue.
Dobson said heavy rain had cleared away from the south-east and would clear northwards overnight.Dobson said heavy rain had cleared away from the south-east and would clear northwards overnight.
"But in Wales and south-west England, it's going to continue to rain through this evening and there'll be lots of showers overnight. It's a wet night down there and remaining windy," he said."But in Wales and south-west England, it's going to continue to rain through this evening and there'll be lots of showers overnight. It's a wet night down there and remaining windy," he said.
He said there would be a "massive improvement" in weather across central and eastern England on Monday, with temperatures in many areas all higher than today.He said there would be a "massive improvement" in weather across central and eastern England on Monday, with temperatures in many areas all higher than today.
London is expected to reach 18C, while parts of the north will get to 16C to 17C instead of the 6C to 8C they had on Sunday.London is expected to reach 18C, while parts of the north will get to 16C to 17C instead of the 6C to 8C they had on Sunday.
But Dobson said the south-west will continue to suffer tomorrow, adding: "The south-west will remain pretty wet and windy all day.But Dobson said the south-west will continue to suffer tomorrow, adding: "The south-west will remain pretty wet and windy all day.
"Devon and Cornwall, Somerset, Bristol, and the whole of Wales will be fairly cloudy with showers and spells of rain.""Devon and Cornwall, Somerset, Bristol, and the whole of Wales will be fairly cloudy with showers and spells of rain."
He said another band of rain would move in on Monday night, spreading from the south-east across London up through the M4 corridor into south Wales, with 10mm to 22mm of rain expected to fall in those areas.He said another band of rain would move in on Monday night, spreading from the south-east across London up through the M4 corridor into south Wales, with 10mm to 22mm of rain expected to fall in those areas.
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