South West hit by 45 flood warnings amid back-to-back storms
The South West has been warned of the possibility of major, widespread flooding in the wake of back-to-back storms. After a weekend of heavy rain and strong winds, which saw emergency services respond to a number of weather related incidents, even more disruption is expected.
The Environment Agency (EA) has issued 45 flood warnings for the region, and even more flood alerts. Flood alerts are issued to areas where flooding is possible, whereas flood warnings are issued where flooding is likely.
The EA has said: "There are approaching 50 #floodWarnings out for the SW, with three just added for the #BristolAvon and one for R.Biss, ~Trowbridge:"
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Flood warnings currently affect the following areas:
Bristol Avon (upper) from Malmesbury to Chippenham
River Stour at Mitford Bridge, Shipston on Stour and Tredington
Bristol Avon (middle) from Melksham to Bathford, not including Bradford on Avon
Somerset Frome from Frome to Freshford
Bristol Avon (middle) at Bradford on Avon
Bristol Avon (middle) from Melksham to Bathford, not including Bradford on Avon
Middle Stour from Hammoon to Sturminster Marshall
River Axe (Upper) from Winsham to Axminster, including Chard Junction and Weycroft
River Biss upstream and downstream of Trowbridge
River Brit at Newtown, and Southgate Old Mill, Beaminster
River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge
River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge, low lying properties
River Cam
River Culm (Lower) from Cullompton to Stoke Canon, including Hele
River Isle at Ashford Mill and Ilford Bridges
River Isle at Ilminster
River Isle from Chard Reservoir to Hambridge not including Ilminster
River Parrett (upper) at Thorney and Kingsbury Episcopi
River Parrett (upper) from South Perrott to Thorney
River Piddle from Alton Pancras to Wareham
River Taw (Middle) from Taw Bridge to Newnham Bridge
River Tone from Bathpool to Ham including Ruishton and Creech St Michael, riverside properties
River Yarty from Yarcombe to Axminster
River Yeo at Mudford
River Yeo from Sherborne to Yeovil
Somerset Frome from Frome to Freshford
Upper Wylye from Brixton Deverill to Warminster
River Axe (Lower) from Axminster to Axmouth
River Axe (Mid) at Axminster
River Axe (Upper) from Winsham to Axminster, including Chard Junction and Weycroft
River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge
River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge, low lying properties
River Clyst from Broadclyst to Clyst St. Mary
River Coly from Colyton to Colyford
River Culm (Lower) from Cullompton to Stoke Canon, including Hele
River Isle at Ashford Mill and Ilford Bridges
River Isle at Ilminster
River Isle from Chard Reservoir to Hambridge not including Ilminster
River Taw (Middle) from Taw Bridge to Newnham Bridge
River Teign (Lower) from Chudleigh to Kingsteignton
River Tone from Bathpool to Ham including Ruishton and Creech St Michael, riverside properties
River Torridge (Lower) from Dolton to Bideford, including Taddiport and Weare Giffard
River Yarty from Yarcombe to Axminster
River Yeo (Creedy) from Yeoford to Fordton
River Torridge (Lower) from Dolton to Bideford, including Taddiport and Weare Giffard
The South West is set to be hit with even more bad weather as Storm Eowyn was followed by Storm Herminia, with the Met Office issuing further weather warnings. Forecasters have predicted that winds may reach 70mph and heavy showers and thunderstorms may lead to localised flooding.
On the yellow wind warning, the Met Office says: "The strong winds will drive in a succession of showers, some of them heavy, through Monday and Monday night, before slowly easing during Tuesday morning.
"With the ground so wet, these are likely to produce or sustain some flooding impacts, primarily affecting road travel. Additional hazards could include further lightning strikes, and hail making road conditions dangerous."
If your home is likely to be affected by flooding, you should try flood protection products, for example flood doors or self closing air bricks. You will also have to turn off your mains water, gas and electricity if you have to leave your home during a flood.
If you are are risk of flooding, prepare an emergency kit, with torches, important documents and essential medication. Move furniture to higher ground and avoid walking or driving through flood water.
South West weather forecast:
Today: Frequent blustery showers with heavy and thundery downpours and hail possible in places, interspersed with sunnier intervals. Windy for all and very windy in coastal areas with severe gales possible. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
Tonight: Further heavy showers this evening and overnight. Staying windy with gales in coastal and upland areas. A relatively mild and frost free night. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
Tuesday: A mostly cloudy and showery day, though the showers not quite as heavy or as frequent as on Monday with perhaps a few brighter intervals. Windy with gales in places. Maximum temperature 9 °C.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday: The chance of further heavy rain and coastal gales in southern counties on Wednesday. Mostly dry on Thursday with some sunshine, then cloudier on Friday. Temperatures near average.