Trains were struck by fallen trees and Christmas lights switch-ons had to be cancelled as Storm Claudia hit Britain with a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours today.
Strong winds also caused travel chaos amid a search for a dog swept away by a raging river – with the heaviest downpours expected this afternoon and evening.
Amber warnings for up to 6in (150mm) of rain in parts of central England and Wales were activated at noon today, with persistent downpours expected until midnight.
A wider area of Wales, central and southern England including London was under a 24-hour yellow rain warning for up to 4in (100m) from 6am today until 6am tomorrow.
Two yellow wind warnings, from noon today until midnight, cover parts of North West Wales and North West England – with more than 130 flood alerts also in place.
The British Red Cross placed its emergency response teams on standby to help at-risk communities, with 70mph wind gusts forecast along with thunderstorms.
The storm brought major rail disruption with a West Midlands Railway train badly damaged when it struck a tree, blocking the line at Blakedown in Worcestershire.
Christmas light switch-ons were also axed, including one in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and others in Bulkington, Warwickshire and Stocksbridge, Sheffield.
Motorists travel through rain and spray on the M11 near Harlow in Essex this afternoon
Flooding in the Maryport area of Cumbria as parts of the UK are hit by heavy rain today
Racegoers in rainy conditions during Countryside Day at Cheltenham Racecourse today
A damaged West Midlands Railway train after it struck a tree at Blakedown in Worcestershire
Vehicles are driven through a partially flooded road in Northwich, Cheshire, this afternoon
A search has been launched for a four-year-old dog called Bonnie (pictured) who was swept away after jumping into a raging river at Arrow Country Park in Redditch, Worcestershire
A search was launched for a four-year-old dog called Bonnie who was swept away after jumping into a raging river at Arrow Country Park in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Emergency services rescued Bonnie’s owner AJ Abrar who had gone into the water to save her on Wednesday. He got hold of her but then had to let go to save himself.
The search for Bonnie, who has 3,500 TikTok followers, is due to carry on into this weekend. Mr Abrar told the BBC: ‘We’re going to go look for a body, or anything, whatever we can find, and start searching until we can bring her home.’
The Environment Agency was braced for river flooding, imposing 102 flood alerts and seven warnings across England, adding that at least 17 properties had flooded in the northern England. Natural Resources Wales issued 23 alerts and two warnings.
National Rail warned of disruption, with flooding between Exeter and Barnstaple in Devon affecting trains until Sunday and emergency speed restrictions in Scotland.
At least seven train operators were running a reduced service due to the weather – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Northern, TransPennine Express and West Midlands Railway.
The AA advised motorists against travelling in the ‘hazardous weather’, saying conditions could ‘change quickly’ as Claudia moves up into the UK from Spain.
The amber warnings for ‘persistent and heavy’ rain were in force from noon today until the end of the day and cover parts of Wales, the Midlands, the South West, the South East and east of England.
The Met Office said that in England some places could have 80mm of rain, while part of Wales may be hit by 100mm to 150mm on the higher ground, or 50mm to 75mm generally across the region.
Buckets collect rain water in Paddington station in London as the capital faces downpours
Pedestrians stand under umbrellas on Westminster Bridge today during a very wet morning
A stranded motorist in a flood on a country road near Twechar in East Dunbartonshire today
People walk in the rain in Leeds today after forecasters issued two amber warnings for rain
A pedestrian crossing Westminster Bridge with an umbrella during heavy rain this morning
People shelter from the rain beneath Union Jack umbrellas in London’s Green Park today
Flooding during heavy rain in the Euston area of London this morning as Storm Claudia hits
A wet start to the day in Central London today as a boat travels along the Thames
A commuter uses an umbrella during heavy rain near Euston station in London this morning
All of this may be ‘exacerbated’ by strong easterly winds, as well as thunderstorms later this afternoon, the forecaster added.
Storm Claudia, named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency, has already brought heavy rain and strong winds to Spain and Portugal.
A separate yellow warning for rain covers much of England, from Cheshire and North Yorkshire to the south coast, for a 24-hour period from 6am today.
And a warning for winds of up to 70mph in some western areas of the UK is in place from noon until midnight.
The Met Office said the weather may cause power cuts, travel disruption and damage to buildings.
Travellers are urged to be cautious as a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales today into tomorrow will be soaked.
The slow-moving downpours mean ‘some areas could see up to a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours’, according to Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert.
He added: ‘Much of this will fall on saturated ground, increasing the chances of flooding and contributing to the amber warnings we have issued.
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings (in red) and alerts (in orange) for England
Cumulative rainfall totals from Thursday until tomorrow could reach over 100mm (4in) in areas
‘Within the amber warning areas, some could see in excess of 150mm accumulate during the event, with 60 to 80mm fairly widely.
‘Gusty winds in the north-west of England and north-west Wales is an additional hazard, with 60 to 70mph gusts possible in exposed places within the warning area.’
Unlike many named storms, Storm Claudia is not expected to directly cross the country, and instead will maintain its position in the West, the Met Office said.
Some social media users made light of the storm, posting memes of The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman – with one tweeting: ‘BREAKING. The Met Office have upgraded Storm Claudia to a critical weather event with TRAITOROUS WINDS AND SEVERE THREAT TO FRINGES. Stay safe everyone.’
Another posted: ‘And finally Storm Claudia is coming and it’s nothing to do with the Traitors, unless they seriously intend to murder a faithful by summoning giant tidal waves brought by winds!’
In Herefordshire, the council’s website stated that at least nine schools were closed due to the weather – those being Aconbury Centre, Clifford Primary School, Ewyas Harold Primary School, Fairfield High School, Kingstone High School, Longtown Primary School, Michaelchurch Escley Primary School, Steiner Academy and St David’s Centre.
Several golf courses also shut due to the heavy rain, including Hartford Golf Centre in Cheshire and Alfreton Golf Club in Derbyshire.
Floods minister Emma Hardy said: ‘As parts of the country are forecast to experience heavy rainfall, I recognise people will be concerned about the risk to their homes and livelihoods.
‘I am in regular contact with the Environment Agency on their response to the expected flooding who, alongside local authorities and the emergency services, are already taking action to keep communities safe.’
The AA has advised against travelling in the ‘hazardous weather’, saying: ‘Safety comes first. Conditions may change quickly, so stay updated and make sure you’re prepared before you travel.’
It added: ‘Flood water can appear quickly, and even shallow water can be dangerous – never try to drive through it.’
The Environment Agency said there is likely to be some surface water and river flooding in the North of England.
It said it has been working with emergency services and local authorities to ensure they are fully prepared for when the storm hits today.
Flood duty manager Ben Lukey said: ‘Storm Claudia will bring heavy prolonged rainfall across parts of England, with significant surface water flooding probable across parts of central England on Friday. River flooding impacts are also possible tomorrow and into Saturday.’
Laura Scott, head of crisis response and resilience at the British Red Cross, said: ‘As Storm Claudia brings heavy rain and strong winds, our emergency response teams are ready to support local authorities and communities that may be affected.
‘Our recent research showed many people aren’t aware of how to prepare for a weather emergency such as flooding.
‘That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to take a few easy steps now – like securing loose items outdoors, checking drains and gutters, and having a plan for your family and pets if you need to leave your home quickly. These actions are hopefully just precautionary but could make all the difference.
‘We know that when severe weather hits, it’s often the people who are already struggling who are most affected. That’s why being prepared and supporting each other is so important.’
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: ‘We urge drivers to take the amber weather warnings associated with Storm Claudia extremely seriously, as they indicate roads are likely to become flooded and therefore represent a risk to life.
‘Drivers may wish to consider delaying their journeys until the worst of the impacts are over, especially in areas that are hardest hit this weekend.’
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents urged the public to take extra precautions ahead of Storm Claudia.
Steve Cole, the charity’s policy director, said: ‘Storm Claudia isn’t just a risk outdoors; homes may be vulnerable too.
‘Secure garden furniture, bins, and anything that could blow away or cause damage. Indoors, make sure windows and doors are firmly shut and keep an emergency kit ready.
‘On the roads, your regular journey may be difficult. Rain doubles stopping distances and aquaplaning can happen in seconds.
‘Slow down, keep your distance, and never attempt to drive through floodwater. These simple steps can help protect your home, your journey and keep communities safe.’
Britain is also preparing to face its first widespread snowfall since last winter as temperatures take a dramatic plunge across the country from this weekend.
The UK has been enjoying unseasonably mild weather for late autumn in recent weeks, but an upcoming shift in wind direction will lead to Arctic air taking hold over the country, with an increased chance of snow in the North through the weekend.
By the middle of next week conditions could also be cold enough for the whole country to see snowflakes at times, according to ITV forecaster Laura Tobin.
Ms Tobin told Good Morning Britain yesterday: ‘It’s so mild. Are we really going to get snow next week? And the answer is: yes, we are. It’s exciting, isn’t it! We’re going to say goodbye to the mild and hello to some sunshine as well.’
The Met Office has warned of a ‘big change in our weather ahead through the next ten days’ with conditions being ‘noticeably colder everywhere’ by next week.
In Ireland, Met Eireann has a ‘status orange’ rain warning for Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow, while a yellow warning is in place for other eastern counties and much of the south.
The storm comes as the Environment Agency warned that England will experience widespread drought next year without a wet winter.
The country has received only 83 per cent of the average rainfall for January to October, and suffered the driest spring for 132 years and the hottest summer on record.
Despite recent rainfall, the situation remains ‘precarious’, the Environment Agency said.
And if the winter is drier than normal, much or all of the country will be in drought by next spring, with the risk of hosepipe bans, effects on crops and wildlife, and wildfires as the summer progresses.
