Warning: Amber
To expect: Rain
Affected area: Multiple, listed below
Start time estimate: Friday noon
End time estimate: Friday 11pm
The Met Office has announced an updated Amber rain warning for several regions across the UK for Friday, with conditions linked to Storm Claudia.
The warning is covering parts of East Midlands, East of England, London and South East England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber. All local areas affected are listed below.
The regions will be impacted by torrential rain, which is expected to start pouring on Friday at around noon before clearing at 11pm.
The updated Amber warning for rain was issued at 10:32am on Thursday, November 13.
A Met Office forecast said: “Storm Claudia, previously named by the Spanish Meteorological Service, will bring rain that will become persistent and heavy during Friday. 40-60 mm of rain is expected widely across this region with some places seeing around 80 mm; these higher accumulations more probable across the East Midlands, and higher ground in Wales and western England. Impacts may be exacerbated by strong easterly winds, as well as thunderstorms later Friday afternoon and evening.”
What to expect
Spray and flooding leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures; Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely; Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life; Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings; A good chance some communities will be cut off by flooded roads; Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses possible.
What should you do during severe rainfall?
Keep yourself and others safe; prepare to avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous road conditions. If you must travel, ensure you watch for possible danger and drive cautiously. It is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep-water call 999, and wait for help. Preparing a flood kit could save you from loss or damage due to flooding to your home or business. In your flood kit have: insurance and any other important documents; a torch & spare batteries; a first aid kit, prescription medicines and supplies for looking after your family members or pets; and warm, waterproof clothes, blankets, food and water. Consider checking on vulnerable people that you know including older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone; they may need support with food and medical supplies. If you are worried about your health or that of somebody you know, ring NHS 111. Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities. For further details see Met Office Warnings & Advice.
Full list of local areas affected
East Midlands
Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Rutland
East of England
Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Peterborough
London and South East England
Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire
South West England
Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire
Wales
Monmouthshire, Powys
West Midlands
Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire
Yorkshire and Humber
South Yorkshire
What is an updated amber weather warning?
The Met Office has three categories of weather warning, depending on the likely impact of severe weather and also how likely it is to strike in a particular area.
A yellow warning is issued when weather conditions are expected to disrupt travel and traffic and may impact on daily routines but are not likely to pose a risk to life or property.
An amber warning is more severe and advises people to think about changing their plans to minimise the risk.
A red warning means weather conditions are expected to be dangerous with widespread damage to property and a risk to life, with the public usually advised to avoid travelling.
The Amber weather alert for rain will remain in place until 11pm on Friday.