UK Flooding
Posting Date: 27 February 2010
Location: UK
Peril: Other
Parts of the UK have been affected by flooding from heavy rain and strong winds over the weekend, a situation expected to worsen as a broad band of heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds, sweeps across the south of the country. As of 09:00 UTC Sunday, 28 February, The Environment Agency has 96 flood watches in place across England and Wales, and 3 flood warnings for the rivers River Nene, River Ouse and River Derwent, along the east and northeast of the country. The Scottish Environment Agency has two flood watches in place.
The UK Met Office has reported 0.98 inches (25 mm) of rainfall in northern England and 1.18 inches (30 mm) in southern England over the last 24 hours. It is forecasting the southern portion of the UK to receive a further 0.4 to 0.8 in inches (10 to 20 mm) over the remainder of the weekend. Satellite radar images show that heavy rainfall is expected in association with Xynthia, an intense low pressure system which will affect the southern portion of the country through Sunday, 28 February. The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for London and the southeast of England.
Heavy rainfall, falling on saturated ground, has caused flooding and the dramatic increase of river levels, particularly in the east of the country. In Suffolk roads have been flooded and one person has been killed in North Yorkshire when her car was swept away in flood waters. Homes and businesses in low lying areas are particularly at risk, and coastal areas where the strong winds associated with Xynthia combined with high spring tides place areas here at high risk of flooding.
Forecasts show the band of heavy rain associated with the low pressure system will cross British Isles by Sunday evening. Forecasts for the UK for next few days predict a period of dry weather with light winds, following the storms.
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