UK weather – live: Britons warned to prepare for evacuation as floods pose ‘danger to life’

People who live in “low-lying properties” should make sure their valuable items are prepared for evacuation, the Met Office has warned due to the current high flood risk.

Large parts of Britain are at risk of flash flooding today as thunderstorms overwhelm the country’s parched landscape with heavy rain.

The Met Office has a yellow weather warning in place over England and Wales, with the potential for power cuts, transport disruption and a danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater.

Dan Suri, forecaster for the Met Office, said: “With no meaningful rainfall in some southern locations since June, soils in these areas have become baked by the sun turning them into hard almost impenetrable surfaces.

“Any rainfall in these areas won’t be able to soak away and instead it will wash off soils and other hard surfaces, creating flash flooding in some areas.”

In parts of Scotland, commuters were held up by heavy rain this morning, with train speeds reduced on several parts of the rail network and surface water affecting many roads.

Key Points

• ‘Prepare your valuables’ if you live low-down

• ‘It’s the wrong kind of rain’ for UK’s grasslands, says meteorologist

• Southwest floods for second day running

• Drought declared in Yorkshire

• Rail line submerged in Scotland

• London Underground could flood due to parched soil

Thames Water announce hosepipe ban from next week

08:15 , Furvah Shah

Thames Water has announced a hosepipe ban from next week as 15 million customers across London and other areas face restrictions.

The ban will come into force from Wednesday 24 August, and is one of many being introduced across England as water companies try to save resources during very dry weather.

In a statement on its website, Thames Water said: “After the driest July on record, and below-average rainfall in 10 of the last 12 months, water levels in our rivers and reservoirs are much lower than usual.

“With low rainfall forecast for the coming months, we now need to take the next step in our drought plan,” they added.

Holly Bancroft has the full story.

Thames Water hosepipe ban to begin next week as 15m customers face restrictions

What is thunderstorm asthma?

07:10 , Stuti Mishra

The three-day Met Office weather warning highlights the risk of potential flash floods, power cuts and travel disruption across much of the country as the heavy rain hits, writes Zoe Tidman.

But experts also warn there could be a rare health risk during the stormy weather, in the form of “thunderstorm asthma”.

Read what it is and how these events trigger breathing problems:

Warning over ‘rare phenomenon’ thunderstorm asthma as UK hit by dramatic weather

Scotland receives week's worth of rain in 24 hours

06:54 , Stuti Mishra

Parts of Scotland have witnessed heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours as the country is hit by torrential rains and is under a yellow alert.

The amount of rainfall received in several pockets exceeds what is generally witnessed in a whole week at the beginning of August.

The BBC reported that Strathallan near Perth had seen 55.2mm (2 inches) of rainfall in less than 24 hours. This is 71 per cent of the 77mm the area normally sees in the whole of August.

Houghton Hall in Norfolk saw 17mm (0.7in) of rain in the space of an hour on Tuesday afternoon, the report said.

The heavy rainfall has also sparked travel chaos with local media reporting train delays and traffic disruptions.ScotRail had warned passengers to expect delays on some routes as speed restrictions were in place due to heavy rainfall. Trains were limited to 40mph, or 20mph if the usual speed limit is lower.

Network Rail also said it was forced to deal with flooding at the Perth station.

Traffic Scotland has warned surface water was affecting many routes and urged motorists to take care.

Video: Floodwater pools in south Wales as motorists struggle to navigate roads

06:26 , Stuti Mishra

Motorists struggled to navigate as torrential downpours sent floodwater pooling on Welsh roads.

Footage shows cars driving through a road that was inundated with water in Port Talbot.

The Met Office issued a status yellow thunderstorm warning for Wales and England, valid through to midnight, and warned that conditions could pose a danger to life.

Pictures show water-logging and floods after downpour

05:52 , Stuti Mishra

Pictures and videos have emerged from around the UK of flash flooding in areas hit by thunderstorms since Monday.

People are sharing images of water-logging on roads and inside their houses as the downpour is expected to continue.

The rain has predominately affected the south of England and Wales as well as the Midlands and East of England.

The Environment Agency currently has 19 flood alerts in force for parts of the Midlands and south-east England as the wet weather continues to batter Britain.

Five Sheffield roads closed due to flooding

05:09 , Stuti Mishra

Major roads have flooded in Sheffield after heavy rainfall hit the area.

Local media outlets report Abbeydale Road has completely flooded following the rain.

South Yorkshire police has asked people to avoid these five routes too.

Flash flooding has also been reported outside Woodseats Medical Centre on Chesterfield Road, Woodseats.

A car is also stranded and partially submerged by water on High Street, Beighton.

Today's forecast for England and Wales

04:46 , Stuti Mishra

Further torrential showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast today, according to the met office, but some places will be drier and sunnier.

“Whilst some places will miss them, thunderstorms and areas of heavy rain will develop quite widely on Wednesday across central, southern and eastern parts of England and southeast Wales,” it said.

“20-30 mm of rain is possible within an hour, but where areas of thundery rain become slow-moving, some places could see 60 mm in less than three hours.”

“A few spots could see more rainfall than this still, whilst hail and lightning may be additional hazards.”

The Environment Agency had issued 29 flood alerts by yesterday night.

Read more:

Torrential rain and thunderstorms forecast across England and Wales

Road erupts after flooding in Sheffield

01:43 , Chris Baynes

Flash flooding has caused the road to burst open in Sheffield.

Emergency repairs are underway after damage to a street near the city centre.

Olivia Blake, Labour MP for Sheffield Hallam, said local authorities were aware of the "dramatic burst" and were dealing with it,

"Beware of danger of flash flooding and do contact relevant authorities with any issues you come across," she posted on Twitter.

‘Remarkable’ waterspout appears over sea as storms hit Cornwall coast

Tuesday 16 August 2022 22:14 , Chris Baynes

A waterspout was caught on camera when it appeared over the sea as the Cornwall coast was hit by storms today.

Footage recorded by Mark McCartney shows the huge waterspout whirled overhead near Fowey.

“It was all an amazing sight, remarkable,” he said.

Watch the video here:

Waterspout appears over sea as storms hit Cornwall coast

Roads flooded as heavy rain sweeps UK

Tuesday 16 August 2022 19:22 , Chris Baynes

Roads in parts of the UK have flooded as heavy rain and thunderstorms sweep across the country for the second day running.

Footage and photos shared to social media showed torrential rain and floodwater sweeping through towns across southern England and Wales, including Newquay in Cornwall, Bishop's Tawton in Devon, Haywards Heath in West Sussex, Port Talbot in south-west Wales, and Bridport in Dorset.

One Twitter user shared a video of floodwater in Newquay:

Another Twitter user in Bishop's Tawton, north Devon, shared footage of sandbags in place to prevent houses being deluged:

Scotland has also seen travel disruption on rail networks and roads on Tuesday following heavy showers.

Experts said heavy rainfall runs off very dry land, creating surface water floods, and will not soak into the ground to relieve drought-hit areas.

Simple video experiment shows how droughts increase flash flooding risk

Tuesday 16 August 2022 17:01 , Liam James

With nothing more than three cups of water, a UK scientist has clearly illustrated how drought conditions can heighten the risk of flash flooding once rain does start to fall (Harry Cockburn writes).

In the experiment, Dr Robert Thompson from the University of Reading’s Meteorology Department, filmed himself at different times of year turning a clear plastic cup full of water upside down onto the same bit of ground.

The footage clearly reveals how weather conditions affect the absorption rate of water.

Drenched Britain: In pictures

Tuesday 16 August 2022 16:35 , Liam James

Round-up of pictures from the damp scenes around the country today:

Lightning strikes during firework display for extraordinary photo

Tuesday 16 August 2022 16:11 , Liam James

Lightning struck at the same time as a firework display to mark the end of a regatta on the Yorkshire coast.

Photographer David Kirtlan captured the spectacle over Whitby harbour after the town’s annual regatta.

The firework display, which marked the end of the three-day event on Monday evening, was under threat due to the weather – thick mist over the harbour had earlier forced the cancellation of a planned display by the Red Arrows.

Photographer David Kirtlan, who captured the moment on his Canon R6, said: “Lots of the races were cancelled and the Red Arrows display was cancelled.

“The firework display was touch and go, but the rain held off. When the fireworks were going off, I just kept taking photographs and caught the moment the lightning struck.

“How often do you get lightning and a firework display together? The weather has made things both difficult and amazing at the same time.”

The event, which began in 1847, is one of the oldest sea regattas on the North East coast.

UK needs ‘continuous rain’ not ‘outburst’, says meteorologist

Tuesday 16 August 2022 15:52 , Liam James

Today’s downpours are “not the right kind of rain” to restore Britain’s parched grasslands.

Meteorologist Clare Nasir said the country needs moderate “continuous rain” rather than the short, heavy bursts seen so far this week.

Toxic algae blooms caused by heatwave turns lake and rivers green

Tuesday 16 August 2022 15:31 , Liam James

British rivers and lakes are being choked with algae thanks to the record-breaking heatwave that has scorched the UK (Samuel Webb writes).

Cumbrian beauty spot Lake Windermere is among waterways and bodies of water filled with algal blooms, which tend to thrive in high temperatures and after sewage is discharged into waterways.

Blooms of blue-green algae can be toxic to humans and animals and can cause skin rashes, vomiting, stomach pains, fever, and headaches.

People are being warned not to go into the water after blue-green algae was confirmed in Bedford.

The algae – cyanobacteria – was found in Priory Country Park’s lakes and other rivers across the district, Bedford Borough Council warned.

Toxic algae blooms caused by heatwave turns lake and rivers green

Mudslide closes Somerset road – Pictures

Tuesday 16 August 2022 15:03 , Liam James

The A358 in Somerset remains closed near Combe Florey following a mud slide yesterday.

Flash floods after days without rain caused the road block in the Taunton area of the southwestern county.

Southwest floods for second day running

Tuesday 16 August 2022 14:49 , Liam James

Roads in southwest England have flooded as heavy rain and thunderstorms hit parts of the UK for the second day running.

Footage and photos shared to social media show torrential showers and flooding on roads in Cornwall and Devon.

Tourists drenched in London downpour – In pictures

Tuesday 16 August 2022 14:09 , Liam James

Photos have just dropped from the heavy downpour in London today:

Just one foot of water can float a car – EA

Tuesday 16 August 2022 13:40 , Liam James

A car can float in just one foot of flowing water, the Environment Agency said as it warned drivers against taking risks in floodwater.

Stefan Laeger, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said the situation was being closely monitored as thunderstorms sweep in across the country.

He said teams were ready to respond to surface water flooding incidents but urged people to take caution if they have to leave home during treacherous conditions.

To drivers, he said: “We urge people not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”

RAC advice for driving in floods and heavy rain is as follows:

1. Slow down

2. Use dipped headlights so that other drivers can see you more easily

3. Don’t use rear fog lights as they can mask your brake lights

4. Look out for large or fast-moving vehicles which will create spray and reduce visibility

5. Keep your air conditioning on to stop your windows from misting up

6. Listen out for local news bulletins

7. If you break down in torrential rain keep the bonnet closed while waiting for help to arrive, to avoid the electrical system getting soaked

8. Driving too fast through standing water could lead to tyres losing contact with the road. If your steering suddenly feels light you could be aquaplaning. To regain grip, ease off the accelerator, do not brake and allow your speed to reduce until you gain full control of the steering again

9. Be considerate

Drought declared in Yorkshire

Tuesday 16 August 2022 13:18 , Liam James

A drought has been declared in Yorkshire, the Environment Agency has said.

The region joins eight areas of England which were moved into drought status on Friday, including parts of London, Kent and the east Midlands.

Victoria Slingsby, environment planning and engagement manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, said: “The high temperatures we are experiencing have exacerbated pressures on wildlife and our water environment in Yorkshire. These extreme weather conditions become more likely with climate change.

“We are experiencing some much-needed rain this week, but it will not be enough to correct weeks of dry weather, and it will take more prolonged rainfall to wet up soils and replenish rivers, reservoirs and groundwater levels.

“It's important for everyone to manage the amount of water they are using in this exceptionally dry period.”

A hosepipe ban is set to effect across Yorkshire on 26 August.

What is thunderstorm asthma? Warning over ‘rare phenomenon’ as UK hit by dramatic weather change

Tuesday 16 August 2022 12:55 , Liam James

Thunderstorms are sweeping the UK this week, a dramatic end to the prolonged stretch of extremely hot and dry weather (Zoe Tidman writes).

The three-day Met Office weather warning highlights the risk of potential flash floods, power cuts and travel disruption across much of the country as the heavy rain hits.

But experts also warn there could be a rare health risk during the stormy weather, in the form of “thunderstorm asthma”.

This is where thunderstorm activity is linked to a rise in people reporting symptoms of asthma - such as in June last year – the UK Health and Security Agency explains.

Warning over ‘rare phenomenon’ thunderstorm asthma as UK hit by dramatic weather

Transport disruption as heavy rains fall on Scotland

Tuesday 16 August 2022 12:30 , Liam James

Rail passengers and motorists are facing travel disruption following heavy rain in Scotland.

ScotRail warned passengers to expect delays on some routes as some speed restrictions are in place due to heavy rainfall over the last few days.

Meanwhile in Perth, Network Rail said it was dealing with flooding at the station.

Speed restrictions were put in place on the Perth to Dunkeld, Larbert to Stirling and Gleneagles to Perth area and on the Alloa branch line.

Trains were limited to 40mph, or 20mph if the usual speed limit is lower.

On the roads, Traffic Scotland warned that surface water was affecting many routes and urged motorists to take care.

Simple video experiment shows how droughts increase flash flooding risk

Tuesday 16 August 2022 12:05 , Liam James

With nothing more than three cups of water, a UK scientist has clearly illustrated how drought conditions can heighten the risk of flash flooding once rain does start to fall (Harry Cockburn writes).

In the experiment, Dr Robert Thompson from the University of Reading’s Meteorology Department, filmed himself at different times of year turning a clear plastic cup full of water upside down onto the same bit of ground.

The footage clearly reveals how weather conditions affect the absorption rate of water.

Climate change makes flash flooding more likely, say campaigners

Tuesday 16 August 2022 11:40 , Liam James

Environmental campaigners have highlighted the role of climate change in the storms brewing around Britain – the country’s latest extreme weather event which comes after a series of unprecedented heatwaves.

Paul de Zylva from Friends of the Earth said: “Heavy rain and flash flooding are likely to become more frequent as a result of climate change.

“We desperately need a period of sustained rainfall to help restore the UK’s dry and wildlife depleted rivers and reservoirs and protect our food supplies, but the ground is so parched that heavy rain will have difficulty soaking in and will instead wash away soils and cause flooding.

“The government, and next prime minister, must do more to protect people by adapting our homes and infrastructure to extreme weather and take the bold action needed to help avert the worst of climate breakdown.”

Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change has influenced recent periods of extreme weather in Britain and around the world.

Drought conditions can lead to an increased risk of flooding when rain finally returns as dry ground does not absorb water as easily.

Sixteen flood alerts in place for England

Tuesday 16 August 2022 11:19 , Liam James

Sixteen flood alerts are in place across England as heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected.

The alerts cover areas of south London, Surrey, Norfolk, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

List in full:

• Beverley Brook area in Merton, Sutton, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth

• Bottle Brook in Derbyshire

• Loughborough urban watercourses and local tributaries to the River Soar

• Ravensbourne area in the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley, Greenwich and Croydon

• River Erewash Tributaries in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

• River Hogsmill area from Ewell to Kingston upon Thames

• River Leen, Day Brook and Tottle Brook in Nottinghamshire

• River Maun in Nottinghamshire

• River Rythe from Oxshott to Thames Ditton

• River Trent Tributaries in Nottinghamshire

• River Wandle area in the London Boroughs of Wandsworth, Merton, Lambeth, Croydon and Sutton

• Shuttle and Cray

• The north Norfolk coast from East Cley to Kelling Hard, including Salthouse

• The north Norfolk coast from Old Hunstanton, to and including Cley

• Tributaries in North Derbyshire

• Tributaries in South Derbyshire

Body of teenage girl recovered from water in Stalybridge

Tuesday 16 August 2022 11:01 , Liam James

Police have recovered the body of a teenage girl who is thought to have drowned in Greater Manchester on Monday.

Greater Manchester Police said the girl got into difficulty in water off Crowswood Drive, Stalybridge, after emergency responders were called on Monday at around 6.30pm.

The force has not named the girl but said formal identification has taken place, while officers are “confident” her death is not suspicious.

Officers said an investigation suggested she had drowned.

Incredible lightning photo captured by snapper testing phone camera

Tuesday 16 August 2022 10:42 , Liam James

An amateur photographer captured an extraordinary shot of lightning over north Wales on his smartphone.

Thomas Davies stepped into his back garden in Rhyl just before midnight on Sunday to test out the camera on his phone.

Thomas explains: “I caught this in the back garden of my house at 23.55 on Sunday. I went for a nosey out side hearing the rain pouring down then to see a lightning strike in the distance. So I got my mobile and my tripod to took it outside under a bit of shelter away from the rain.

“I wanted to practice some long exposure shots and see if the Samsung s22 ultra can capture any lightning. Within a few minutes setting it all up to the right camera settings I caught this lightning strike. I was happy to see it until I looked on my phone to see the image and I was amazed to capture it.”

All of England and Wales are under a thunderstorm yellow warning until midnight tonight.

Videos show scale of flash flooding as rain finally hits parched UK

Tuesday 16 August 2022 10:18 , Liam James

Videos have emerged showing the scale of the flash flooding that hit several parts of the UK on Monday, the result of heavy downpours after many weeks of exceptionally dry conditions (Maroosha Muzaffar writes).

Experts say the record-breaking heatwaves over the last few weeks have left the ground extremely hard and dry and hence more susceptible to flooding.

Local reports said that heavy rainfall and flash flooding hit some parts of Devon and Cornwall as thunderstorms swept across the southwest and East of England.

One of the videos shared on social media shows a roundabout near a river in Truro, Cornwall quickly flooding as showers swept in.

UK still ‘not proactive’ about flooding 'despite regular pattern’

Tuesday 16 August 2022 09:54 , Liam James

The UK is still “reactive and not proactive” about flood risk even though flooding has become a “regular pattern” for the country, the National Flood Forum charity has warned.

Speaking to Nick Ferarri on LBC, Heather Shepherd said: “Flooding has definitely increased and certainly the length of time that I’ve been working in flood risk, and we see it now as a regular pattern, don’t we, every year.”

However, she added: “I still think we are quite reactive and not proactive. As soon as it’s not in the headlines, flooding, we tend to be a bit too laid back.”

Ms Shepherd expressed concern about the government’s “cost criteria” regarding the accessibility of funding for flooded communities, saying: “There are people, particularly in rural and deprived areas, that repeatedly are flooded and can’t access any funding to do anything about that.”

She also warned that “building like mad everywhere” was increasing flood risk, as “a lot of that is on places where water had space and it no longer has. It overwhelms our drainage infrastructure. And we’re seeing more and more urban flooding”.

Beware thunderstorm asthma

Tuesday 16 August 2022 09:35 , Liam James

Thunderstorms can carry an increased risk of asthma attacks.

The phenomenon known as thunderstorm asthma was first formally recorded in 1983 and health officials say it is not fully understood.

Health authorities say everyone may be at risk but young adults can be particularly affected. Those diagnosed with asthma or hayfever are at greater risk.

The UKHSA last noted an uptick in people reporting ashtma symptoms during a thunderstorm last June.

Allergy expert Dr Sophie Farooque goes into detail about the condition in a Twitter thread:

‘Prepare your valuables', Met Office tells residents of low-lying areas

Tuesday 16 August 2022 09:10 , Liam James

People who live in “low-lying properties” should make sure their valuable items are “ready to go”, or “on a higher level of your house”, due to the current high flood risk, the Met Office has warned.

Speaking to Sky News, Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said: “For low-lying properties, which perhaps have been built on a floodplain, yes, there is a risk of flooding in properties.

“Get all your documents, whether it’s your mobile phone, your passport, etc, all those things you don’t want to be damaged by floodwater and make sure they’re ready to go or on a higher level of your house”.

She added that the downpours overnight and into this morning are “the wrong kind of rain which we need for the ground”, as the ground is too hard to absorb it.

“What we’re looking for is sort of continuous rain, moderate rain, rather than this incredibly intense burst, which currently is moving up across more southern areas of England. So we’re not out of the woods yet.”

Sadiq Khan urges Londoners to prepare for flash floods

Tuesday 16 August 2022 08:55 , Liam James

Sadiq Khan has told Londoners to prepare for flash flooding in the event that heavy rain and thunderstorms hit the capital this week.

The capital’s mayor said: “I have written to tens of thousands of Londoners who live in homes that could be affected by flash flooding.

“My message to Londoners is to please contact Floodline, go to your local authority’s website to see what you can do to reduce the chances of you being flooded but also to minimise the consequences on you,” he said, recommending people also check they are insured and what those details are as well as preparing a grab bag.

Mr Khan said: “[We are] working closely with the water companies, the fire brigade, Transport for London, local councils and other partners making sure we are as ready as we can be, but the bad news is there could well be flash floods if there’s heavy rain during a short period of time.”

The mayor also called on the government to do more to tackle climate change as well as adapt the capital to deal with its consequences in light of the recent surge in fires and now the potential for flash floods.

Devon children’s play centre floods in heavy rain

Tuesday 16 August 2022 08:40 , Liam James

A children’s play centre in Devon flooded on Monday night as heavy rain swept the county.

Staff at The Milky Way in Clovelly spent hours sweeping water from the premises after days of dry, hot weather were broken by hail then rain.

Part of the ceiling collapsed in the foul weather, though staff said on Twitter that the play centre was cleared up and would be open today.

Steff Gaulter, a meteorologist, shared footage from the incident online.

Tube could flood as London’s parched soil can’t hold back heavy rain

Tuesday 16 August 2022 08:25 , Liam James

Professor Hannah Cloke, an expert in hydrology at the University of Reading, said the London Underground could flood if heavy rain hits the capital.

“The ground is really dry and when it is so dry it acts a little bit like concrete and that water can’t get in so it drains straight off.

“If you get a heavy rain in a city, the drainage system can copy up to a point but if there is really heavy rain it can overwhelm the system – the rain cannot run away quick enough.

“Water tends to find the lowest pathway – that is why it is so dangerous for cities with these surface area floods.

“That is why it is of concern to the Tube and underground car parks and things like that,” she said, adding that it is of concern in other UK cities as well.

“It is not like we haven’t seen this recently,” Prof Cloke said, referring to flooding affecting London Tube stations last year. “If we are in London and the parks are really really dry, there is no where for the water to run so it is exacerbating the risks we already have in cities.”

Met Office warns of floods as heatwave ends with heavy thunderstorms

Tuesday 16 August 2022 08:11 , Liam James

Britain is on high alert for flash flooding as the heatwave gives way to heavy thunderstorms and torrential rain on parched ground (Rory Sullivan writes).

The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain across most of Britain until late on Tuesday, with a small chance that fast-moving water could cause “risk to life”. These dangers will persist in southern England until Wednesday.

There was localised flooding in parts of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset on Monday – the same day as those areas were hit by a hosepipe ban because of the dry summer drought.

“There are likely to be more flash floods,” Tom Morgan, a forecaster at the Met Office, told The Independent on Monday.

Met Office warns of floods as heatwave ends with heavy thunderstorms