What happened to summer? Britain faces more flash flood misery

What happened to summer? Britain faces more flash flood misery with warnings of three inches of rain and thunder with heavy showers for the rest of the week

• Thunderstorms and torrential downpours sweep across much of UK with up to three inches of rain forecast
• Met Office warns rain could be so heavy that it might spark power cuts and leave some communities cut off
• Many areas of northern England and Scotland under ‘yellow’ warning with ‘amber’ alert in place for Highlands 
• Heavy showers will continue throughout this week but sunny spells should break through the gloom at times

Britain today faced flash floods as forecasters warned of more than three inches of rain and a ‘danger to life’.

Thunderstorms and torrential downpours swept across much of the country today with the Met Office warning the rain could be so heavy that it might spark power cuts and leave some communities cut off.

Many areas of northern England and Scotland were under a ‘yellow’ weather warning this afternoon and evening with a more severe ‘amber’ warning in place for the Highlands amid fears over ‘fast flowing or deep floodwater’.

Up to 3.1in (80mm) is expected to fall in the worst-hit areas and heavy showers will continue throughout this week, but meteorologists added that sunny spells will break through the gloom at times. 

Pedestrians jump over a puddle as they try to cross the road during heavy rain in Central London this afternoon

People stand under an umbrella as they are caught in torrential downpours on Whitehall in Westminster today

Pedestrians are caught in heavy downpours in Westminster today after much of the UK was placed under a weather warning

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has imposed 15 flood alerts for areas including Dundee, Aberdeenshire and Fife, while England’s Environment Agency put out one alert on the Isle of Wight.

Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Willington said: ‘Yellow warnings are in place across much of the UK, away from the south, for thunderstorms and heavy rain over the coming days. Scotland, however, is expected to see some of the heaviest rain and amber warnings for thunderstorms and also rain have been issued here.’

Stephen Dixon, a Met Office spokesman, said: ‘The rain can cause potential flooding and travel disruption. There is the potential for 80mm to 100mm over 24 hours, but more likely 60mm more widely across that amber area.

‘There can possibly be lightning and hail in areas of Scotland. Not everywhere within the warning areas will see heavy rain, rainfall amounts will vary from place to place. The rainfall could lead to some surface water flooding and disruption before it eases and moves south through Thursday.’ 

A pedestrian jumps over a puddle as they cross the road during heavy rain in London this afternoon

People shelter under umbrellas during heavy torrential downpours in Westminster this morning

People jump over a puddle as they cross the road during torrential downpours in Central London this afternoon

Flash flooding on Ormskirk Road in Aintree, Merseyside, as the Met Office issued weather warnings across Britain

Over the past few weeks, rain has battered the UK, particularly in London where areas including Walthamstow, Woodford and Stepney Green have seen severe flooding.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said yesterday that following a meeting with the Environment Agency, London’s boroughs and other key partners, he will be doing all that he can to tackle flooding and climate change.

He said: ‘Through the new London Plan, we’re now reducing the risk of surface water flooding with every new development, but whether it’s prioritising more green spaces to help absorb excess water or investing more in upgrading our drainage and sewer infrastructure, dealing with the impacts of climate change is something that cannot wait a day longer.’

On the roads, the RAC and Highways England have advised drivers to be cautious in the rain. They warned motorists to leave a larger gap than normal between the car in front of them when stopping.

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