Get your wellies out
You might have noticed, if you’d ventured outside over the past few days, that it’s been raining. It’s been raining quite a lot, and quite heavily, such is the weather on these shores.
30 flood warnings have since been issued around the UK, mostly in Yorkshire, with five in Wales. A flood warning is more severe than a ‘flood alert’, and means more immediate reaction is required. As of yet, there have been no ‘severe’ flood warnings.
The south-east and London are safe, while the west of the country is most at danger of being hit with floods.
Capel Curig in Conwy County was of the worst-hit areas over the past few days, as it saw more than half a month’s worth of rain – 136.6mm – in the space of just 24 hours.
Deiniol Tegid, a spokesman for Natural Resources Wales, said: “The River Conwy is at its highest level ever recorded, so yes it’s quite bad in Llanrwst at the moment.
“We’re asking people to be very careful in that area and not to venture into flood water and please don’t take any risks.”
Rail company Northern have said that many lines are suspended due to flooding, which has caused travel disruption up and down the country.
Parts of the M66 were also shut after the River Irwell burst its banks near Ramsbottom.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have had to rescue several trapped vehicles from flooded areas and have warned people not to try driving through flood waters.
On Sunday morning the Environment Agency, which issues flood warnings in England, said river levels were high in northern England and the Midlands.
It said on Twitter: “Our teams are out operating flood defences and are ready to assist any affected communities.”
With river levels remaining high in northern England and the Midlands today our teams are out operating flood defences and are ready to assist any affected communities, stay up to date on our latest advice and check your flood risk at https://t.co/BpUpnj1mdd #FloodAware pic.twitter.com/lYWC9fGPy1
— Environment Agency (@EnvAgency) March 17, 2019
