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UK weather: Floods in a flash with almost every county in England and Wales placed on alert UK weather: Heathrow flights cancelled amid storms and lightning strikes
(about 4 hours later)
After sweltering in temperatures that touched on 32C (89.6F), the UK is braced for torrential downpours and more lightning storms that will could cause flash flooding across large parts of the country. The UK has been hit by storms and lightening just hours after sweltering temperatures reached 32C on Friday, causing Heathrow airport to cancel one in five flights this afternoon.
The Environment Agency warned that up to 30mm (1.2in) of rain could fall in an hour in some areas. A spokeswoman for the airport said the cancellations will be between 4 pm and 6pm, when there is a strong likelihood of poor weather conditions.
The agency says that almost every county in England and Wales is at "medium" risk of flooding today, and has issued 59 flood alerts, warning people to be prepared. "There is severe weather forecast at Heathrow for Saturday 19 July with a 70 percent risk of thunderstorms, lightning strikes and hail storms," she said.
The majority of these are in the Midlands, the South East and the South West Manchester Airport said an electrical surge caused by thunderstorms had led to some delays today. General duty manager Gary Brown said: "It impacted on some lifts and baggage systems but most systems are now back up and running. We'll wait to see what happens this afternoon when we're expecting thunder."
A family of four were made homeless after their semi-detached bungalow was struck by lightning, Essex Fire and Rescue have reported. Firefighters tackled the blaze on the roof of the property in Holland on Sea shortly before 4.30am this morning. No-one was hurt.
The Environment Agency warned that up to 30mm (1.2in) of rain could fall in an hour in some areas and there are over 50 flood alerts in place over the country. The agency says that almost every county in England and Wales is at "medium" risk of flooding today.
The majority of these are in the Midlands, the South East and the South West.
In a separate "amber" warning of rain for England, eastern and central Wales, the Met Office warns that heavy, thundery showers that developed overnight will move northwards during the day.In a separate "amber" warning of rain for England, eastern and central Wales, the Met Office warns that heavy, thundery showers that developed overnight will move northwards during the day.
The Met Office said: "Not everywhere within the warning area will see thunderstorms, and indeed some spells of warm sunshine are expected at times, but where thunderstorms do form, some torrential downpours are likely with frequent lightning, large hail and locally strong gusts.The Met Office said: "Not everywhere within the warning area will see thunderstorms, and indeed some spells of warm sunshine are expected at times, but where thunderstorms do form, some torrential downpours are likely with frequent lightning, large hail and locally strong gusts.
"The public should be prepared for the risk of disruption from any of these elements.""The public should be prepared for the risk of disruption from any of these elements."
There is still, however, a "yellow" warning of a heatwave for the UK today, advising people to be "alert and ready". The Met Office said there was a 60 per cent chance of a heatwave continuing until tomorrow morning, with high levels of humidity.There is still, however, a "yellow" warning of a heatwave for the UK today, advising people to be "alert and ready". The Met Office said there was a 60 per cent chance of a heatwave continuing until tomorrow morning, with high levels of humidity.
Storms hit large parts of the South East of England early yesterday morning, with a reported 3,000 lightning strikes.Storms hit large parts of the South East of England early yesterday morning, with a reported 3,000 lightning strikes.
* Fire crews have been called to a number of incidents caused by lightning. The first floor and roof of a house in Sittingbourne, Kent, was set alight by a strike, while a bungalow's roof was hit in Whitstable, Kent Fire and Rescue said. Houses were struck in the market village of Lenham, near Maidstone, while lightning also started several small fires in Willesborough, near Ashford. Three fire crews were called to the house in Murrell Lock, Chelmsford, at about 10.45pm last night after smoke was seen pouring from the roof.
* A spokeswoman for Heathrow Airport said airlines were cancelling 20 per cent of flights for a two-hour period today due to the thundery weather: "There is severe weather forecast at Heathrow with a 70 per cent risk of thunderstorms, lightning strikes and hail storms. During thunderstorms the number of aircraft that can take off and land each hour is reduced. We have therefore requested that airlines reduce their flight schedule by 20 per cent between 4pm and 6pm. Passengers due to travel on 19 July are urged to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport." The fire spread to the first floor of the property but there were no reported casualties.
* Manchester Airport said an electrical surge caused by thunderstorms had led to some delays today. General duty manager Gary Brown said: "It impacted on some lifts and baggage systems but most systems are now back up and running. We'll wait to see what happens this afternoon when we're expecting thunder." And at just after 6am, Essex fire service was called to a blaze in a garage at Clacton Road in Elmstead, near Colchester, which was also thought to have been started by a lightning strike.
PA Elsewhere, the first floor and roof of a house in Sittingbourne, Kent, was set alight by a strike, while a bungalow's roof was hit in Whitstable, Kent Fire and Rescue said.
Houses were struck in the market village of Lenham, near Maidstone, while lightning also started several small fires in Willesborough, near Ashford.
Twenty-seven patients on a hospital ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath also had to be moved when heavy rain brought down part of a ceiling.
Additional reporting by Press Association