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Commuters hit by heavy rain and high winds in UK Commuters hit by heavy rain and high winds in UK
(about 1 hour later)
Commuters have been hit by flooding on railways and roads after heavy rain and high winds struck parts of the UK. Torrential rain and 70mph winds have been causing flooding and transport chaos across parts of the UK.
An average September's worth of rain was forecast to fall for most of the country inside just 24 hours. The south-west and Wales have seen some of the worst weather and forecasters are predicting a month's worth of rain inside 24 hours for many areas.
South-west and central England and north Wales have already been affected, with the bad weather moving north. Firefighters in Avon said they have attended some 200 flood-related incidents, rescuing nine people.
Three schools in Shropshire were closed and a Somerset village was cut off by flooding.
North Wales Police urged motorists not to make unnecessary journeys due to high levels of surface water on the roads.
And in Flintshire, an animal rescue centre was flooded.
The rail network has been badly hit by heavy rain, with delays or suspensions to trains in Devon and Cornwall and the West Coast Main Line.
There are 23 flood warnings and 130 alerts in England and Wales, and flood alerts in nine areas of Scotland. Northern Ireland is also set to be hit.There are 23 flood warnings and 130 alerts in England and Wales, and flood alerts in nine areas of Scotland. Northern Ireland is also set to be hit.
The Met Office said up to 100mm (4in) of rain could fall over parts of northern and central England, north and east Wales over 24 hours.The Met Office said up to 100mm (4in) of rain could fall over parts of northern and central England, north and east Wales over 24 hours.
It has amber severe weather warnings in: central Scotland, Tayside and Fife; East Midlands; Grampian; London; south-east England; north-east England; north-west England; Northern Ireland; south-west Scotland; Lothian and Borders; south-west England; Wales; West Midlands; and Yorkshire and Humber.It has amber severe weather warnings in: central Scotland, Tayside and Fife; East Midlands; Grampian; London; south-east England; north-east England; north-west England; Northern Ireland; south-west Scotland; Lothian and Borders; south-west England; Wales; West Midlands; and Yorkshire and Humber.
These warnings advise people to be prepared for severe weather.These warnings advise people to be prepared for severe weather.
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Less severe yellow warnings - indicating that people should be aware - are in place for much of the rest of the UK.Less severe yellow warnings - indicating that people should be aware - are in place for much of the rest of the UK.
Alison Baptiste, national flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: "There's been some fairly heavy weather from yesterday and continuing tomorrow and into Tuesday, particularly down in the south west.Alison Baptiste, national flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: "There's been some fairly heavy weather from yesterday and continuing tomorrow and into Tuesday, particularly down in the south west.
"We are asking people across the Midlands and up into the north to be aware of the risk of flooding because we're seeing this weather pattern move up across the Midlands and up into the north today and tomorrow."We are asking people across the Midlands and up into the north to be aware of the risk of flooding because we're seeing this weather pattern move up across the Midlands and up into the north today and tomorrow.
"We know it has been causing quite significant disruption, particularly to roads and rail across the south west, and that's why we do urge people to be aware, to check on our website, to follow us on social media as to what the latest situation is.""We know it has been causing quite significant disruption, particularly to roads and rail across the south west, and that's why we do urge people to be aware, to check on our website, to follow us on social media as to what the latest situation is."
Denis McCann, of Avon Fire and Rescue Service, said there had been widespread flooding of properties and roads throughout the area.Denis McCann, of Avon Fire and Rescue Service, said there had been widespread flooding of properties and roads throughout the area.
He said there had been about 200 flood-related incidents since the early hours of the morning, and six people had to be rescued.
North Wales Police have urged motorists not to make unnecessary journeys, due to the high levels of surface water on the roads.
Cheshire Police said areas of Warrington and the outskirts of Chester were affected by traffic disruption.
In other developments:In other developments:
The weather system over the UK is described by the BBC Weather Centre as a deep area of low pressure.The weather system over the UK is described by the BBC Weather Centre as a deep area of low pressure.
BBC weather forecaster Matt Taylor said: "The weather has already had an impact on some parts of the country. It is only the start of the story, I'm afraid to say.BBC weather forecaster Matt Taylor said: "The weather has already had an impact on some parts of the country. It is only the start of the story, I'm afraid to say.
"While the rain has eased a bit across southern areas where we've seen the worst of the conditions so far, the bulk of the rain is going to remain in the northern half of the UK, in the Midlands, north Wales and southern Scotland."While the rain has eased a bit across southern areas where we've seen the worst of the conditions so far, the bulk of the rain is going to remain in the northern half of the UK, in the Midlands, north Wales and southern Scotland.
"There will be a disruption to travel and increasing risk of flooding as well.""There will be a disruption to travel and increasing risk of flooding as well."
Police said a 30-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree branch on Sunday at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, south-west London, during rain and gusts of wind close to 30mph.Police said a 30-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree branch on Sunday at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, south-west London, during rain and gusts of wind close to 30mph.
The New Zealand Herald quoted the country's foreign affairs ministry confirming the woman was a New Zealander living in London.The New Zealand Herald quoted the country's foreign affairs ministry confirming the woman was a New Zealander living in London.
A statement issued by Kew Gardens, which is closed to the public as a precaution, said their "deepest sympathy is with family and friends".A statement issued by Kew Gardens, which is closed to the public as a precaution, said their "deepest sympathy is with family and friends".
The Met Office said there was going to be a big change in the weather compared to what the country experienced during the first part of September.The Met Office said there was going to be a big change in the weather compared to what the country experienced during the first part of September.
Parts of Britain have seen temperatures in the mid-20s during September, a welcome break from the rain and wind which dogged much of July and August.Parts of Britain have seen temperatures in the mid-20s during September, a welcome break from the rain and wind which dogged much of July and August.
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Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy

Map Key

  • Land
  • Cloud
  • Lakes, Rivers & Sea

Fog

Light Heavy

Frost

Light Heavy

Pressure Fronts

Cold Warm Occluded

Rain

Light Heavy Extreme

Snow

Light Heavy
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Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
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