Parts of England are grappling with flash flood warning and heavy rain, prompting the Met Office to issue warnings for further downpours expected overnight. Motorists are advised to exercise caution on roads inundated with floodwater, especially in central and southern England, following a weekend of relentless showers.
An amber warning is in effect until 06:00 BST on Friday for various areas in the Midlands and central England, where travel disruptions and flooding are anticipated. Reports suggest that some locations may receive as much rain as a month’s worth overnight.
As of Thursday evening, the Environment Agency has issued 40 flood warnings and 114 less severe alerts across England. Areas under the amber warning, including Oxfordshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, and Worcestershire, could see rainfall amounts of 30-40mm in three hours and possibly 50-60mm or more over six hours.
Flash floods have already affected regions like Hitchin in Hertfordshire, where Cambridge Road in the town center has been closed. The West Midlands Railway has also reported disruptions and cancellations in Solihull due to flooding.
In Tewkesbury, local authorities are distributing sandbags to residents to help safeguard their homes, while North Northamptonshire Council has warned of significant rainfall overnight, stressing that water levels are already high in many areas.
Emergency services are on high alert, with a focus on protecting residents from potential flooding. Those evacuated from the flooded Billing Aquadrome holiday park earlier this week have been provided with temporary accommodation.
BBC lead weather presenter Matt Taylor warned that some areas within the amber flash flood warning zone might experience rainfall close to a month’s total overnight, potentially worsening existing flood conditions. More travel delays are expected, and rivers are likely to continue rising after the rain subsides.
The Environment Agency is urging the public to exercise caution when navigating through floodwaters. Flood duty manager Kate Marks emphasized the importance of planning journeys and avoiding driving through flooded areas, as even shallow waters can be deceptively deep.
National Highways network manager Stephen Basterfield also advised road users to adjust their driving habits and plan ahead, as heavy rainfall is expected to exacerbate existing disruptions. Some areas have already recorded unprecedented rainfall for September, with parts of Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire receiving more than three times their usual amounts.
On Tuesday evening, emergency services rescued 43 individuals from a flooded holiday park in Northampton, where caravans were surrounded by water from a nearby river that had overflowed. Areas including Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire were particularly hard-hit, with some locations experiencing more than a month’s worth of rain in just hours. Additionally, AFC Wimbledon reported significant damage to its pitch due to flooding from the nearby River Wandle.