Britons residing in 39 regions have been advised to assemble an “emergency” pack following a new weather alert issued by the Met Office. The warning, effective from 9am on Thursday until 11.59pm the same day, cautions residents about potential flooding due to anticipated heavy rainfall, with up to 70mm expected in some areas. The Met Office states that a deepening low-pressure system will move northeastward across England and Wales, bringing persistent and intense rain throughout the day before clearing northward by evening.
In response to this forecast, individuals in the affected zones are urged by the Met Office to prepare an emergency kit containing essential items like insurance documents, contact numbers, a flashlight, and spare batteries. The weather warning encompasses the entire Southwest of England, large portions of south Wales, sections of the Midlands, and some areas in the Southwest of England. While heavy rain is expected in the capital, it is not anticipated to trigger a weather warning.
Existing flood warnings and alerts include the River Severn at Severn Ham, Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, with high river levels expected to cause flooding impacting properties and roads. The Mid Bristol Avon area, west Dorset for groundwater flooding, and Chertsey Bourne in Berkshire and Surrey are also areas of concern for potential waterway issues.