Heavy rains bring flood risk warning for UK homeowners

Homes and businesses in parts of the UK face the risk of flooding this weekend amid heavy rain, forecasters say.

The Met Office has issued amber warnings for parts of eastern Scotland, the West Midlands, the south-west of England, and most of Wales.

It says deep, fast-flowing floods can be “life threatening” in some areas and there is a “good chance” that communities will be isolated.

Less severe yellow rain warnings affect much of the rest of the country.

It comes after storm Alex, which caused disruption in France, brought hurricane force winds and rain to southern England on Friday.

During the day a 114 km / h gust was recorded at Berry Head, off the Devon coast.

Clogged drains

Flood advisories and the possibility of communities being cut off relate to areas covered by an amber warning.

The weekend will see a “challenging and disturbing period of weather” and Saturday will be “a very wet and cold day for many,” said Deputy Chief Meteorologist Laura Ellam.

The amber warnings are in effect until 06:00 BST on Sunday, but the heavy rains are expected to continue until around noon as stormy conditions push north and west.

The wind direction associated with the rain is “unusual” and showers are likely to occur in some areas that are normally well-protected and drier, the Met Office said.

He added that buses and trains could be delayed or canceled due to “difficult” driving conditions and drains could be blocked with debris as the trees are now full of leaves.

Carol Holt of the Environment Agency said that “widespread and persistent rain” is likely to cause flooding.

Forecasts are 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) of rain in many areas, but 40-70 mm in Scotland, and 70-90 mm possible on higher ground in Wales and south-west England.

There is the possibility of more than 120mm of rain on some of the most exposed high ground on Snowdonia and Exmoor and on higher ground in Scotland.