Met Office urgent safety warning as West Midlands hit by amber weather alert

Cars were left stranded after downpours yesterday
-Credit: (Image: Emma Richards)


The Met Office has raised the weather warning over the West Midlands to 'amber' level as downpours continue to batter the region. Yellow weather warnings have been in place since yesterday (September 21) and extended to today and tomorrow (September 22 and 23), as the West Midlands saw roads flooded and cars left stranded.

The weather alert yesterday was for thunderstorms, while the one today and tomorrow is for rain. But the yellow warning tomorrow has been raised to 'amber' level, with the risk of heavy rain and floods becoming even more likely.

The amber alert covers the entirety of the West Midlands and it extends into the East Midlands. It was issued by the Met Office today for between 5am and 9pm tomorrow. The forecaster also extended the yellow weather warning over England and Wales today to cover further areas in the north and east.

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It comes as heavy rain and lightning rolled over the region yesterday, striking homes and flooding roads. Flooding was pictured in places such as Kingstanding, Great Barr and Bilbrook, while lightning struck the Avion pub in Walsall and also caused an 'explosion' to a house further north in Stoke.

Areas in the amber alert area can expect to see rainfall as high as between 60 to 80mm, and a few places even up to 100mm or 120mm and more. The average 24 hour rainfall period in the UK usually generates around 31mm of rain.

Flooding in Great Barr
Flooding in Great Barr -Credit:Theresa Kim Maher

The Met Office said of the amber alert: "An area of heavy rain is expected to develop across central and southern England during the early of hours of Monday, edging north and west and then becoming slow-moving somewhere across the warning area for several hours. It will then weaken and move away eastwards later Monday evening and overnight.

"Not all counties within the warning area will be equally affected, but it seems likely that some areas will see 60 to 80 mm and a few places may receive 100 to 120mm or more. This is likely to result in travel disruption and some flooding."

The forecaster added: "Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions. If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously. It is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep-water call 999, and wait for help."