UK weather: Risk of flooding as four days of Met Office warnings issued across country for heavy rain
Rain warnings are back in place in parts of the UK – kicking off four days of miserable weather as communities reel from the impact of Storm Babet.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning for downpours in Scotland and Northern Ireland from midday on Friday, including areas hit by flooding last week.
In Scotland, it covers Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee, and Perth and Kinross.
It will last until at least 6pm on Saturday, and the Scottish Flood Forecast warned “significant flooding impacts” are likely across the next few days.
Heavy rain is set to fall on areas that already have high water levels and saturated ground due to Storm Babet.
Among the worst-hit areas braced for more rain is Brechin in Angus, where hundreds of homes had to be evacuated after the River South Esk burst its banks.
First Minister Humza Yousaf visited the town this week and pledged Scottish government funding, but warned: “It’s going to be a long road to recovery.”
Check the five-day weather forecast where you are
Warnings in place for England and Northern Ireland
A separate Met Office yellow warning also covers the east coast of Northern Ireland, including Ballycastle, Larne, Donaghadee, and Newcastle.
Come Saturday, another alert will extend to parts of southern and eastern England, with London, Kent, Sussex, and Essex all potentially experiencing disruption.
The warning covers the east coast of Northern Ireland
It is expected to remain until the end of Sunday, while the warning in Scotland will last into Monday – by then having extended south towards Stirling and Edinburgh.
The Met Office has said there is a small chance of power cuts to homes and businesses, as well as flooding, public transport disruption, and difficult driving conditions.
Sky News’s weather presenter Kirsty McCabe said low pressure would dominate this weekend, “bringing spells of strong winds and heavy rain that may exacerbate recent flooding and bring travel disruption”.
The warning in Scotland will spread south beyond Edinburgh by Monday
“Parts of eastern Scotland could get another 50 to 100mm of rain over the next few days, with as much as 150mm over the hills,” she added.
“This isn’t great news for those areas badly affected by Storm Babet last weekend, and there are still flood warnings in force.
“Elsewhere there will be heavy showers for eastern counties of Northern Ireland, southwest Wales and southeast England.
“Southern parts of England could have a very wet weekend as heavy and thundery showers merge into longer spells of rain along with gusty winds. This could prove particularly disruptive, with standing water and spray on some major roads.”
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Hundreds of homes submerged
Railways braced for more disruption
Ahead of the rain’s return, ScotRail has already suspended some services.
There will be no direct trains running between the Central Belt and Aberdeen and Inverness until Sunday.
LNER has warned of delays between Edinburgh and Newcastle, while TransPennine Express and CrossCountry are operating reduced timetables.
Network Rail Scotland warned: “More extremely heavy rain is on the way.
“It won’t be to the levels of Storm Babet, but it will affect the same areas with saturated ground.
“It will bring a risk of flooding.”
Seven people are known to have died as a result of Storm Babet, including three in Scotland.
UK
Three Iranians charged under National Security Act after investigation by UK counter-terror police
Two firefighters and a member of the public have died in a large fire in Bicester, the fire service announced.
The firefighters died in the inferno at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire, which now hosts historic motoring and aviation centre Bicester Motion.
The local fire service was called to the scene at 6.39pm last night.
Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we today report the loss of two of our firefighters. Families have been informed and are being supported.
“Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times and we ask for privacy to be respected.
“We cannot release any details at present but will provide further information as soon as we can.”
Two other firefighters sustained serious injuries and are currently being treated in hospital, Oxfordshire County Council said in a statement.
Footage shared on social media shows plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and flames swallowing the large building.
Clouds of smoke from the fire were billowing into the sky last night. Pic:@kajer87X
Two firefighters and one other person died in the fire, while two more firefighters were seriously injured. Pic: PA
Ten fire crews attended the incident, with four remaining at the scene. The fire is still ongoing, but it is considered under control.
Local residents were advised to remain indoors and keep their windows shut, but this advice has now been lifted.
Bicester Motion said in a statement it would be closed today and over the weekend.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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