Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK weather forecast: Heavy rain brings more flooding with snow on the way

Met Office says conditions do not yet constitute a storm

Rory Sullivan
Saturday 22 February 2020 13:53 GMT
Comments
UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

A third consecutive weekend of wet and windy weather is bringing more flooding to the UK, while parts of the country are facing snow and ice as they try to deal with the damage caused by Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis.

Heavy showers on Friday brought new flooding, as large parts of Wales and England are still struggling to cope with the impact of this month’s storms.

The Met Office has issued two severe flood warnings, which indicate an imminent danger to life, for the River Lugg at Hampton Bishop in Herefordshire.

There are also 88 flood warnings in place, meaning that immediate action is required.

The village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale in Yorkshire was cut off on Friday evening due to flooding.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said on Twitter late on Friday: "We have two crews from Settle, Grassington and a water rescue team from Ripon in Horton-in-Ribblesdale which is currently surrounded by floodwater.

"Crews are checking residents and ensuring everyone is safe."

The service added that it had helped four people who became trapped in a vehicle in the floodwater.

Police in Yorkshire reported problems on some roads due to flooding, including the A65 between Gargrave and Settle.

Although rain, high winds and snow are all expected this weekend, the Met Office said the weather front does not yet constitute a storm.

Forecaster Marco Petagna said another band of stormy weather could come in from the South West on Saturday night.

Mr Petagna added that a weather warning had been issued for rain in parts of Wales on Sunday, with up to 60mm of rainfall expected in some areas.

The weather front will then move across the UK on Sunday night, bringing high winds, rain and snow to northern England and Scotland, where a weather warning is in place throughout Monday.

Prince Charles went to Pontypridd in South Wales on Friday to see the flood damage.

It is estimated that 1,100 residential and commercial properties have been affected in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area.

Caroline Douglass, director of incident management at the Environment Agency (EA), said on Friday: "This will be the third weekend of exceptional river levels and stormy weather.”

"With the effects of climate change, we need to prepare for more frequent periods of extreme weather like this,” Mr Douglass added.

The EA said that some rivers have this month reached their highest water level on record, including the Severn and the Wye.

The damage wreaked by Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis is projected to cost billions to repair.

Additional reporting from PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in