Weather warnings in force as Storm Claudia brings heavy rain to UK

Weather warnings in force as Storm Claudia brings heavy rain to UK

Storm Claudia continues to batter the United Kingdom, prompting the Met Office to issue amber warnings for sustained and heavy rainfall. The storm is moving across much of the country, with severe weather alerts in place until early Saturday morning. This follows recent flooding and rainfall in parts of south Wales and other regions, intensifying concerns about travel and flooding risks. Travelers are being advised to exercise caution, as some areas of England and Wales may experience a month’s worth of rain within a short period.

A widespread yellow severe weather warning extends over most of England and Wales, with particular emphasis on Wales, the Midlands, the south west and south east, eastern England, and northern regions. Chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert from the Met Office explained that “Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall to a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales on Friday into Saturday. This rain will become slow-moving, and some areas could see up to a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.” Additionally, strong easterly winds and the threat of thunderstorms are anticipated across parts of the UK later on Friday.

Transport services have been heavily disrupted by the storm’s impact. Numerous rail routes have suffered delays or closures due to flooding, with National Rail warning of cancellations and disruptions over the weekend. Flood defenses have been deployed in affected areas such as Bewdley in Wales, with emergency preparations continuing elsewhere, including Shrewsbury. Routes between London Paddington and both Bristol and Swansea have been closed due to flooding, while travel on lines connecting Exeter to Barnstaple and Hereford to Worcester Shrub Hill is also discouraged. The AA cautioned drivers about hazardous conditions, emphasizing the dangers of floodwater and advising against driving through it.

Local authorities and emergency services remain vigilant as Storm Claudia progresses. The flood minister, Emma Hardy, acknowledged public concern and confirmed her ongoing communication with the Environment Agency regarding flood response efforts. In Birmingham, health and safety concerns related to the amber warning led to the cancellation of the Jewellery Quarter Christmas Light Switch On event. Meanwhile, in Cheshire, a fallen tree caused damage to three cars but fortunately resulted in no injuries. The storm has also affected northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, where rain warnings remain active. The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow cold health alert for several regions starting Monday. Notably, Storm Claudia, named by Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET, has brought severe weather to Spain and Portugal as well. Despite recent rainfall, the Environment Agency highlights ongoing drought risks, pointing to the driest spring in over a century and record-breaking summer heat in England this year

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