UK
Hurricane Lee aftermath to hit UK as Exeter Airport reopens following flash floods
An airport forced to close due to flash floods has now reopened, but forecasters have warned of “unsettled” conditions this week after thunderstorms hit parts of the country.
Travel has been disrupted by the “torrential downpours”, which caused Exeter Airport to close and cancel its remaining flights on Sunday.
An airport spokesman said: “Following Sunday afternoon’s flash flooding, which caused the closure of the airport, our teams are working through the night cleaning up and we expect to be open tomorrow morning, Monday.
“Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the very latest information about their flight, and please bear with us while we do our very best to return all airport operations to normal.”
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On Monday the airport reopened and thanked staff for their “hard work and determination” as they worked through the night on the clean-up.
“We look forward to welcoming passengers as usual,” the airport said.
Downpours spark flooding
An amber weather warning for thunderstorms across parts of Devon and Somerset was in place on Sunday afternoon, with a yellow warning in other parts of southwest England and South Wales.
Heavy rain brought “torrential downpours” across the southwest of England on Sunday, with localised flooding in Devon.
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It also led to widespread road closures, bus and train cancellations and the closure of Paignton zoo.
Almost a month’s rain fell on Sunday at the Birds Hill rain gauge on the edge of Exmoor.
Other spots saw up to 60mm of rain fall, more than half the September average for the region of 92.45mm.
Conditions are expected to remain “blustery at times” early this week but are likely to be fresher.
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‘Autumnal week to come’
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said more storms are possible as the remnants of Hurricane Lee, which hit New England in the US and eastern Canada, is set to move across the UK between Tuesday and Thursday.
It will no longer be a hurricane by the time it reaches UK shores.
“Showers in places could be heavy with a risk of further thunderstorms,” said Mr Vautrey.
“It could be quite an unsettled, autumnal week to come.”