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Flood-hit UK braced for more rain and wind Flood-hit UK braced for more rain and wind
(about 1 hour later)
Flood-hit areas of the UK are braced for a fresh deluge of heavy rain and gale force winds, expected to hit the country on Saturday. Flood-hit areas of the UK are braced for a fresh deluge of heavy rain and gale force winds on Saturday.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy rain in south-west England and Wales, and is warning the public to be prepared for flooding. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy rain in south-west England and Wales and is warning the public to be prepared for flooding.
Forecasters are not certain which areas will bear the brunt of the storm. The worst of the rain is forecast for western England and parts of Wales on Saturday afternoon.
The Environment Agency has more than 40 flood warnings and more than 150 flood alerts in place in England and Wales.The Environment Agency has more than 40 flood warnings and more than 150 flood alerts in place in England and Wales.
Flood warnings mean people should take action because flooding is expected, and flood alerts indicate to prepare for possible flooding. Defence work
Overnight downpours on Thursday claimed the life of a man in Somerset and flooded about 300 properties. Flood warnings mean people should take action because flooding is expected, while flood alerts indicate people should prepare for possible flooding.
Strong winds The Met Office is forecasting heavy rain and strong winds across all parts of the country over the weekend.
Some train lines are suspended and some roads are closed, with the West Country being worst hit. The Environment Agency said river flooding was likely with the possibility of significant disruption, particularly in Devon, north Somerset, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Wales.
The weather over the weekend is expected to worsen with more rain, and winds of up to 70mph. The Met Office said winds could damage buildings and uproot trees. It said: "Strong winds will also increase the risk of flash flooding as drainage channels are likely to become blocked with wind-blown debris.
"The rain will spread north and east, increasing flood risk in north-east and north-west England on Sunday. The picture remains unsettled for the start of next week."
Environment Agency staff worked overnight into Saturday on flood defence work, including shoring up defences and clearing blockages from watercourses.
Damaging winds
Overnight downpours on Thursday claimed the life of a man in Somerset and flooded nearly 400 properties.
Some train lines were suspended and roads closed, with the West Country being worst hit.
The weather over the weekend is expected to worsen, with more rain and winds of up to 70mph. The Met Office said winds could damage buildings and uproot trees.
BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said: "On Saturday, we're going to see an area of heavy rain developing. We're looking at around 20-40mm of rain falling but there could be some areas that get 50-60mm. We've already got Met Office amber weather warnings out for that.BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said: "On Saturday, we're going to see an area of heavy rain developing. We're looking at around 20-40mm of rain falling but there could be some areas that get 50-60mm. We've already got Met Office amber weather warnings out for that.
"As the rain band pushes northwards we're going to see the winds really pick up in strength as well with gales and severe gales. The strongest gusts probably around 70mph or thereabouts will be towards the coast of Sussex and Kent. We're also going to see very strong gusts, 60mph or so, inland."As the rain band pushes northwards we're going to see the winds really pick up in strength as well with gales and severe gales. The strongest gusts probably around 70mph or thereabouts will be towards the coast of Sussex and Kent. We're also going to see very strong gusts, 60mph or so, inland.
"Those wind speeds are enough to bring down trees in their own right and blow a lot of debris around, that debris goes into the river systems and could cause some blockages."Those wind speeds are enough to bring down trees in their own right and blow a lot of debris around, that debris goes into the river systems and could cause some blockages.
"Maximum amount of rainfall we could see, across parts of the West Country, areas like Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Bath, as well as south and west Wales, the peak rainfall is 50-60mm. But 20-40mm is probably what we're going to see over a fairly wide area." "The maximum amount of rainfall we could see, across parts of the West Country, areas like Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Bath, as well as south and west Wales, the peak rainfall is 50-60mm. But 20-40mm is probably what we're going to see over a fairly wide area."
Saturated ground Danger warning
The BBC Weather Centre also said that the heaviest rain during daylight hours on Saturday would be in the south west of England, and this is due later in the afternoon. The upper limits of this could see 50-60mm of rainfall. The BBC Weather Centre also said the heaviest rain during daylight hours on Saturday would be in the south west of England, and this was due later in the afternoon. As much as 50-60mm of rain could fall.
On Saturday evening, the heaviest rain will then move into south-east Wales, the Somerset, Dorset and Bristol areas and the south of the West Midlands. On Saturday evening, the heaviest rain will move into south-east Wales, the Somerset, Dorset and Bristol areas and the south of the West Midlands.
Staff at Taunton council's depot have filled 8,000 sandbags so far this week, and thousands more on Friday as the next weather system approaches and further warnings are issued. Staff at Taunton council's depot have filled thousands of sandbags as the next weather system approaches
The Environment Agency's Nick Moore advised people to think about potentially vulnerable family members and friends who might need help getting out of properties that might flood, and getting possessions into the higher parts of the house. The Environment Agency's Nick Moore advised people to think about potentially vulnerable family members and friends who might need help getting out of properties that might flood and to consider getting possessions into the higher parts of the house.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson warned people to be vigilant.Environment Secretary Owen Paterson warned people to be vigilant.
He said: "We had one absolute tragedy when one man was killed. I would like to warn everybody that flood water is dangerous.He said: "We had one absolute tragedy when one man was killed. I would like to warn everybody that flood water is dangerous.
"More rain is forecast over the next few days and it's very easy to leave one's cosy home and just get struck by water and not realise how dangerous it is.""More rain is forecast over the next few days and it's very easy to leave one's cosy home and just get struck by water and not realise how dangerous it is."
Trains disruptedTrains disrupted
More flooding is possible, especially on ground which is already saturated by Thursday's rain. More flooding is possible, especially on ground already saturated by Thursday's rain.
Gusts of 60-70mph could hit south-eastern coastal counties of England and there is the potential for storm force winds over the English Channel.Gusts of 60-70mph could hit south-eastern coastal counties of England and there is the potential for storm force winds over the English Channel.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service said a man died in floods after he became trapped in his car under a bridge in Chew Stoke near Bath on Thursday.Avon Fire and Rescue Service said a man died in floods after he became trapped in his car under a bridge in Chew Stoke near Bath on Thursday.
Three elderly people had to be rescued from their car as it was swept down a flooded ford near Alcester in Warwickshire. The vehicle was carried for more than 500m before a farmer managed to secure it to allow emergency services to help. Three elderly people had to be rescued from their car as it was swept down a flooded ford near Alcester in Warwickshire.
Meanwhile, trains are likely to be disrupted between Exeter, Taunton and Bristol Temple Meads until Monday, Network Rail said.Meanwhile, trains are likely to be disrupted between Exeter, Taunton and Bristol Temple Meads until Monday, Network Rail said.
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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
Temperature tab onlyTemperature tab only

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather

Temperature (°C)

More details from BBC Weather
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