Met Office 18 hour rain warning with 'danger to life' in multiple areas - full list
The Met Office is warning people to prepare for heavy rain and travel disruption due to Storm Bert - including in the West Midlands. Parts of Herefordshire are under a yellow weather warning for heavy rain while parts of Coventry and Warwickshire face the same warning for wind.
The Express reported there was a “danger to life” in some places across the UK as communities risked being “cut off”. The rain warning affects several key areas from Hampshire and Oxfordshire down to the South West and South Wales.
In some parts of the the country, thousands of homes were without power as strong winds tore down power lines. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the department will be keeping in close touch with the energy companies to ensure it was restored as swiftly as possible.
READ MORE: Met Office says Birmingham to be battered by rain as Storm Bert tears through UK - hourly forecast
The Met Office said in its warning: "Heavy rain associated with Storm Bert may cause some travel disruption and flooding this weekend.
"Some communities may be cut off by flooded roads. Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. Possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses. Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings. Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life. Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible."
Meanwhile, there was travel disruption throughout the West Midlands. Heavy rain in Shropshire was also leading to train delays, West Midlands Railway said. Services running between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury were impacted with replacement bus services requested for the line.
West Midlands Fire Service said crews had been sent to Bridgeman Street in Walsall early Sunday morning to rescue a driver stranded in floodwater. On Saturday, market events in Nuneaton were reduced in size over fears of high winds.
Regions and local authorities affected by rain warning
London & South East England
Hampshire
Oxfordshire
Portsmouth
Southampton
West Berkshire
South West England
Bath and North East Somerset
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
Bristol
Cornwall
Devon
Dorset
Gloucestershire
North Somerset
Plymouth
Somerset
South Gloucestershire
Swindon
Torbay
Wiltshire
West Midlands
Herefordshire
Wales
Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend
Caerphilly
Cardiff
Merthyr Tydfil
Monmouthshire
Neath Port Talbot
Newport
Powys
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Swansea
Torfaen
Vale of Glamorgan
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