UK flood alerts: Environment agency raises alarm as more heavy rain expected

The UK Environment Agency has warned drivers that their cars may be swept away in just 30 cms (12 inches) of water as more than 60 flood warnings were issued in England in just 24 hours with further downpours to come.

The floods have disrupted rail services all over the Kingdom with the Meteorological department issuing amber warnings for areas of the Midlands and south of the country. The warning came into force on Thursday at 6pm and is to last for 12 hours.

Areas Affected by the rain and floods 

Yellow alerts have been raised for Midlands, which is the worst affected area till now along with parts of Wales and northern ireland. Areas affected by amber warning include Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, and the West Midlands. According to the forecaster, these areas can have a downpour of 30-40 mm within 3 hours.

Parts of Hitchin and Solihull have been struck by intense rain with West Midlands Railway warning of disruption and cancellations.

Met Office Warning Reports

As of 10.30 pm local time, the Environment Dept had issued 46 flood warnings in place across the country that translates to floods are expected and 120 flood alerts meaning flooding is possible.

Areas of Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Oxfordshire are the most vulnerable areas listed by the agency. The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (ToRo) has also listed forecasts that the South East could witness lightning, thunderstorms with winds up to 50 miles per hour and even can have some isolated brief tornadoes. 

There can be power cuts, road closures, difficult driving conditions including delays and cancellations in bus and train routes with less frequency.