The British Isles have been battered by storms without let up since 22 December 2013 and more is forecast to come with “Storm Christine” lined up to hit Britain and Ireland in the next few hours. The Environment Agency (EA) issued over 100 flood warnings, 1 severe flood warning and 216 flood alerts across England and Wales. Around 17 flood warnings are in place in Scotland.
The EA’s severe flood warning are all for south west England:
- Lower Stour at Iford Bridge Home Park, near Bournemouth in Dorset, South West England
- Chiswell, Dorset
- Preston Beach, Lodmoor, near Weymouth, Dorset
Today forecasters have predicted a further storm to hit the British Isles, bringing strong winds and further heavy rainfall. It is highly unusual to see so many severe storms in such close succession in Britain – there has been nothing like this since 1991.
Rainfall has been so heavy that one woman in Somerset, south west England, was rescued from her home after 13 days of being cut off, surrounded by flood water. Talking to the BBC, Geographer Simon Ross said that the flooded area in Somerset was “like giant bathtub”.
More Rain on Saturated Ground
The forecast rainfall is now of grave concern since the ground in many areas is already saturated after previous storms throughout December.
Some reports claim 30mm of rain has already fallen in the last few hours. Any further heavy rainfall will almost inevitably result in severe flooding for many people, some of whom may have suffered from floods already in the last weeks. Around 40mm of rain is predicted in some areas, especially on higher ground.
Flood Defences Tested
A coastal surge over recent days has tested Britain’s coastal flood defences yet again after the tidal surge floods in early December.
Further rainfall will also increase river levels, many of which are already high and the Thames Barrier is expected to be closed at 15:00 GMT for the ninth tide in a row. The River Medway in Kent, the River Thames in Oxford and Osney and the River Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire are also said to be at risk.
Fatalities
Waves over 12 metres high along the UK’s coastline, are proving especially hazardous.
There have been 2 casualties in this latest spate of storms and floods that first started 1 January 2014. A man was swept out to sea in Cornwall on New Year’s Day and a woman died in north Devon, also swept away by giant waves. One young man has also been reported as missing in Devon and a search is ongoing.
Wave of Storms
The tidal and storm surges of 5 and 6 December are still fresh in the memories of many UK residents, particularly those living in coastal communities.
But within under 2 weeks, the United Kingdom was hit by storms and flooding once more. “Storm Emily” first struck on Wednesday 18 December and continued for around 24 hours, causing flooding in parts of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and across southern England.
Just five days later, yet another storm struck, causing chaos and disruption for many over the Christmas period. Gatwick Airport was particularly badly affected, and many homes across England and Wales suffered power cuts and flooding, especially England’s southern counties.
Flood Warnings
Check all the current flood warnings for England and Wales here, and for Scotland here.
Sources: BBC; AccuWeather
