UK weather: Thunderstorms bringing heavy rain & ‘sudden flooding’ batter UK as Met Office issue 7-hour warning
THUNDERSTORMS bringing heavy rain and the risk of sudden floods are battering the UK.
A seven-hour yellow weather warning is in place across the south-west of England and Wales with thunder and lightning not expected to shift until 8pm.
RexBrits were battered by rain in London this week[/caption]
SWNSTourists in Cambridge were drenched by heavy rain on Thursday[/caption]
Met OficeHeavy showers and thunderstorms are now breaking out across south Wales and south-west England[/caption]
Met OfficeA yellow warning is in place on Saturday[/caption]
It marks an end to days of warm, sunny weather as “heavy showers and thunderstorms” are now battering Brits for the rest of Saturday afternoon.
Some locations are set to see 20-30mm of rainfall in one hour while other parts could experience 40-50mm.
Most of Wales is currently being impacted by severe downpours as well as thunder and lightning.
Bath, Exeter, Plymouth and Brixham – where locals are currently dealing with contaminated water issues – are also affected.
Fears of flooding are mounting as the weather service issues tips for staying safe in storms.
Much of those on the coast were earlier warned to prepare for “quick floods and damaged from floodwater”.
Anyone planning on travelling via train or bus can expect delays as lightning strikes hit.
The Met Office added: “Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
“There is a small chance that some communities are temporarily cut off by flooded roads.”
It comes as the north of the UK could see the Northern Lights again.
The Aurora Borealis dazzled the nation last weekend, with a stunning display of colourful lights being spotted as far as Essex, Cambridgeshire and Berkshire.
And now, northern parts of the country may yet be able to catch another glimpse of the phenomenon.
A “red alert” has been issued – meaning aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere in the UK.
AuroraWatch UK, which is run by scientists in the Space and Planetary Physics group at Lancaster University’s Department of Physics, explained: “Aurora is likely to be visible by eye from Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland; possibly visible from elsewhere in the UK.
“Photographs of aurora are likely from anywhere in the UK.”
The Met Office space weather department says “enhancement to the aurora is likely into early May 18” in the Northern Hemisphere.
They added: “The aurora may become visible as far south as parts of Scotland where skies are clear.
“Mainly background aurora conditions are expected thereafter.”
Five tips on how to stay safe in a storm
THE Met Office has issued advice on how to stay safe in thunderstorms.
Could your property be at risk of flooding?
Follow this three-point plan to check and be prepared:
Check if your property is at risk
If you are at risk, take the next two steps to protect your property when you need to:
Prepare a flood plan
Prepare an emergency flood kit
Staying safe in flooding
It’s never too late to take action and prepare for flooding. Follow these 6 simple steps to protect your home or business:
Check the flood advice in your area to know when and where flooding will happen
Charge mobile phone devices
Park your car outside the flood zone
Prepare a flood kit to help you cope in the event of flooding to your home and business
Store valuables up high, including electrical devices, important documents and furniture
Turn off gas water and electricity supplies
If you are trapped in a building by floodwater, follow these simple instructions to keep you and your family safe:
Go to the highest level in the building you are in
Do not go into attic spaces to avoid being trapped by rising water
Only go to a roof if necessary
Call 999 and wait for help
Is it safe for you to drive?
It is safer not to drive in thunderstorms but if you must drive you can do this more safely by:
Slowing down
Using main roads
Using dipped headlights
Giving yourself more time to react on slippery surfaces
Keeping a bigger gap between vehicles
What you can do in a powercut
People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance and it’s easy to do. The essentials that could help you cope with a power cut are:
Candles and matches or lighters
Torches and batteries
A mobile phone power pack
If your power goes out these simple steps can help you deal with the situation:
Switch off all electrical appliances that shouldn’t be left unattended, ready for when the power comes back on
Leave a light on, so you know when the power cut has been fixed
Check to see if your neighbours are safe and if they have a power cut too. If they have power, your trip switch may have activated
If it’s cold, wrap up warm and close internal doors to keep the heat in
Portable heaters are a good alternative if heating systems are down
Call 105 for information, it’s a free service for people in England, Scotland and Wales
Protecting your property from damage and other people from injury
Don’t risk injury to others or damage to your property. Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them in high winds.Items include:
Bins
Plant pots
Garden furniture (bring inside or secure in place)
Trampolines (turn upside down or secure with tent pegs)
Sheds (ensure doors are locked)
Don’t go outside to repair any damage during the storm.
AlamyThe Northern Lights could be visible again tonight[/caption]
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