UK weather: flood warnings as torrential rain hits - live blog:
Forecasters are predicting the wettest day of the summer so far, with almost a month's worth of rain expected across most of England today. Join us live for updates on weather conditions, flood warnings and transport news across the country
1.23pm:
Prince Charles, who was on his way to discuss flooding in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire has been delayed: by flooding.
This from PA:
The Prince of Wales travelled to a flood-hit town today - only to be delayed by new storms. Charles was due to arrive in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, at 11.10am for a whistlestop tour of the town, but he arrived in torrential rain, an hour late for the visit.
Hebden Bridge was badly hit by the floods which devastated parts of West Yorkshire and Lancashire two weeks ago. Some of the damage to the town was still visible today with sandbags and boarding evident on many streets.
Charles began the visit at Central Street Infants and Nursery School where he met staff and pupils and examined the flood-damaged classrooms.
A month's worth of rain fell on the Calder Valley area of West Yorkshire in a few hours on the night of Friday June 22. This resulted in severe flooding in Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Todmorden as the River Calder hit its highest recorded level.
More than 200 households and domestic properties were badly affected by the flooding.
1.19pm:
The Environment Agency has extended the number of flood alerts to 100 and issued eight flood warnings in the Midlands, North East and North West.
1.06pm:
1.04pm:
Our excellent Money people, have done a Q&A on what on what people should do if they're worried about being flooded.
1.01pm:
Are you affected by the adverse weather? We've already seen the impact of flooding where you are thanks to group members who shared pictures with our UK News Flickr group in June, but we'd like to hear from you about how you're handling this latest downpour. Help us build a picture of what's happening where you are.
Is it affecting your work or an event your organising?
Are you making the best of the bad weather?
Has it caused problems to transport where you are?
If you would like to contribute, you can add your pics to this Flickr group
12.44pm:
The Environment Agency can be followed on twitter @EnvAgency for flood updates throughout the day
The Environment Agency has said the areas most likely to be hit by severe flooding include Derbyshire, Lancashire, South and West Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, Blackburn, Blackpool, Warrington, Cheshire and Halton.
There are currently three flood warnings for potential river flooding and 89 less serious flood alerts, but the Environment Agency said many more were likely to be issued today in the face of the torrential rain.
The agency also warned of surface water flooding when drains become overwhelmed by too much rain. The public has been warned to take care near floodwater and not to take risks walking or driving through floods.
12.39pm:
The rain is causing problems at Silverstone as it prepares for the British Grand Prix.
This from the Press Association:
12.38pm:
In other, heartening, news. The odds have been cut on this being the wettest ever year of all time here in the UK. Gah.
12.29pm:
Some cancellations for today:
12.16pm:
More from PA:
12.11pm:
Travel is clearly a concern for many people today. The Highways Agency is urging drivers to take extra care on roads, particularly in the North West (my own neck of the woods) this weekend with the forecast of torrential rain showers.
The Highways Agency provides live traffic information via its website www.highways.gov.uk/traffic, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms, such as the iPhone. Local Twitter services are also available at @HAtraffic_nwest and @HAtraffic_pen9 for Transpennine routes.
Weather advice is available at www.metoffice.gov.uk
12.08pm:
The Met Office has issued amber warnings of severe weather for most regions in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, including the Lothian and Borders and Strathclyde Police force areas.
12.05pm:
An awful lot of weather news out there, and none of it good, I'm afraid.
The Press Association is reporting that the wet weather is set to "continue to blight the summer":
It may be July, known in some other countries as summer, but here in the UK we are expecting a severely wet day, with flood warning in place across much of the country. We're here to keep you updated on travel problems, flood risks and weather-related news as it happens. What is the weather doing where you are? Please do comment below the line or send any stories and pictures to alexandra.topping@guardian.co.uk
guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Forecasters are predicting the wettest day of the summer so far, with almost a month's worth of rain expected across most of England today. Join us live for updates on weather conditions, flood warnings and transport news across the country
1.23pm:
Prince Charles, who was on his way to discuss flooding in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire has been delayed: by flooding.
This from PA:
The Prince of Wales travelled to a flood-hit town today - only to be delayed by new storms. Charles was due to arrive in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, at 11.10am for a whistlestop tour of the town, but he arrived in torrential rain, an hour late for the visit.
Hebden Bridge was badly hit by the floods which devastated parts of West Yorkshire and Lancashire two weeks ago. Some of the damage to the town was still visible today with sandbags and boarding evident on many streets.
Charles began the visit at Central Street Infants and Nursery School where he met staff and pupils and examined the flood-damaged classrooms.
A month's worth of rain fell on the Calder Valley area of West Yorkshire in a few hours on the night of Friday June 22. This resulted in severe flooding in Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Todmorden as the River Calder hit its highest recorded level.
More than 200 households and domestic properties were badly affected by the flooding.
1.19pm:
The Environment Agency has extended the number of flood alerts to 100 and issued eight flood warnings in the Midlands, North East and North West.
1.06pm:
I've just spent two hours on a canal path on the Leeds Liverpool Canal at Bootle in heavy rain. Its mild but incredibly wet, the kind of rain that dissolves notebooks. The motorways are rainlogged and more reminiscent of an ice skating rink. Darwen is flooded the M65 is badly affected as is the M6 in Cheshire over the Thelwall Viaduct. Trains are not running from Hebden Bridge as a result of flooding on the tracks. Hebden was badly affected by flooding a fortnight ago.
1.04pm:
Our excellent Money people, have done a Q&A on what on what people should do if they're worried about being flooded.
The UK is bracing itself for heavy flooding once again, following severe flood warnings from the Met Office.
The Environment Agency has said already sodden areas of the country will need to prepare for further heavy rain, while the Met Office says there is an increasing likelihood of river flooding and disruption to travel and outdoor activities.
Here is what should you do if your home is threatened by rising water.
1.01pm:
Are you affected by the adverse weather? We've already seen the impact of flooding where you are thanks to group members who shared pictures with our UK News Flickr group in June, but we'd like to hear from you about how you're handling this latest downpour. Help us build a picture of what's happening where you are.
Is it affecting your work or an event your organising?
Are you making the best of the bad weather?
Has it caused problems to transport where you are?
If you would like to contribute, you can add your pics to this Flickr group
12.44pm:
The Environment Agency can be followed on twitter @EnvAgency for flood updates throughout the day
Latest flood warnings & alerts can be found on our website (updated every 15 mins): bit.ly/fhE9iu #floodaware
— Environment Agency (@EnvAgency) July 6, 2012
The Environment Agency has said the areas most likely to be hit by severe flooding include Derbyshire, Lancashire, South and West Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, Blackburn, Blackpool, Warrington, Cheshire and Halton.
There are currently three flood warnings for potential river flooding and 89 less serious flood alerts, but the Environment Agency said many more were likely to be issued today in the face of the torrential rain.
The agency also warned of surface water flooding when drains become overwhelmed by too much rain. The public has been warned to take care near floodwater and not to take risks walking or driving through floods.
12.39pm:
The rain is causing problems at Silverstone as it prepares for the British Grand Prix.
Thanks to everyone for their patience this morning, the bad weather has meant that parking is taking longer than usual ow.ly/c3p6g
— Silverstone (@SilverstoneUK) July 6, 2012
This from the Press Association:
Motorists experienced delays on the M1 down to Silverstone as a result of traffic heading to the F1 British Grand Prix but not helped by the heavy rainfall, which has flooded the car parks.
Vehicles are being guided into the venue and Silverstone's Woodlands Campsite will be operating a full wet weather plan.
A statement on the campsite's web page said: "Due to extremely wet ground conditions, your vehicle may need to be towed onto your pitch on arrival and away from your pitch on exit.
"Please be prepared for this: make sure you know where your vehicle's towing eye is. If your towing eye is detachable, have it ready in your glovebox."
It also warned campers: "The site will be muddy - be prepared - bring full wet weather clothing and footwear."
In Lincolnshire, the A52 Bridge End Road in Grantham has been closed between the A607 Springfield Road junction and the Harrowby Road junction, because of flooding.
Motorists around Nottinghamshire were forced to slow down and take care because of heavy rain.
On the M1 around junction 27 at Heanor, spray and surface water made driving conditions difficult and visibility reduced.
12.38pm:
In other, heartening, news. The odds have been cut on this being the wettest ever year of all time here in the UK. Gah.
Miserable day outside...we've cut the price on 2012 to be wettest year on record in the UK or Ireland from 8/1 to 4/1! paddypower.com/bet/novelty-be…
— paddypower (@paddypower) July 6, 2012
12.29pm:
Some cancellations for today:
RACE FOR LIFE cancelled in Huddersfield #examiner ow.ly/c3swF
— Huddersfield News (@Examiner) July 6, 2012
Unfortunately, Sharrow Festival, due to be held tomorrow, has been cancelled due to the weather; :( Please share.
— Tramlines Festival (@tramlines) July 6, 2012
Sadly due to the recent adverse weather competition on Saturday 7th July at Malpas Horse Trials has been abandoned.
— British Eventing (@BEventing) July 6, 2012
Rain woe scuppers Geldof festival: The two-day MFEST music festival falls victim to the heavy rain expected acro... bbc.in/Po4ldX
— BBC Radio Leeds (@BBCLeeds) July 6, 2012
12.16pm:
More from PA:
Chris Burton, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the Press Association's weather division, said the conditions - caused by an area of low pressure - were "very unusual" for this time of year.
"We could see up to 50mm of rain fall quite widely over central and northern areas and, locally, we could see quite a lot more than that, with heavy, thundery downpours."
In some places, this could reach 60mm.
He added: "The rain will last much of the day and it is gradually spreading west. Tomorrow, we are looking at heavy showers in the afternoon across south-west England, the Midlands and the South East.
"Next week it is not going to get any drier."
12.11pm:
Travel is clearly a concern for many people today. The Highways Agency is urging drivers to take extra care on roads, particularly in the North West (my own neck of the woods) this weekend with the forecast of torrential rain showers.
Severe weather Warning of Rain for Yorkshire & Humber bit.ly/MZWArq
— Highways Agency (@HAtraffic_yorks) July 6, 2012
The Highways Agency, which operates the North West's motorways and major A roads, says drivers check travel conditions, heed travel advice - including electronic motorway signs - and drive to conditions after a forecast of torrential rain for the weekend which is likely to affect all parts of the region at some stage.
Highways Agency Traffic Officers at six outstations across the North West and at the North West Regional Control Centre (RCC) at Newton-le-Willows in Merseyside will be monitoring weather and traffic conditions around the clock over the weekend.
On road patrols will be on hand to quickly respond to incidents while colleagues in the RCC will be monitoring CCTV cameras, answering emergency telephone calls and setting advisory signs for drivers to warn of spray and other road conditions.
Staff from EnterpriseMouchel and A-one+, the Highways Agency's two service providers for the region, are also on standby with patrols ready to clear drains and gulleys and clear carriageways of any standing water.
John McTaggart, head of on road traffic operations for the North said, "Traffic Officers will be working flat out over the weekend to help clear incidents on the motorway network as soon as possible as well as using our network of electronic signs to give drivers advice about conditions.
"But drivers have a part to play too and we urge them to drive to conditions by slowing down in the wet and rain, using their vehicle lights to improve visibility and leaving extra room for braking.
"Drivers should also try to plan their journeys including checking weather and traffic conditions before setting out."
The Highways Agency provides live traffic information via its website www.highways.gov.uk/traffic, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms, such as the iPhone. Local Twitter services are also available at @HAtraffic_nwest and @HAtraffic_pen9 for Transpennine routes.
Weather advice is available at www.metoffice.gov.uk
12.08pm:
The Met Office has issued amber warnings of severe weather for most regions in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, including the Lothian and Borders and Strathclyde Police force areas.
12.05pm:
An awful lot of weather news out there, and none of it good, I'm afraid.
The Press Association is reporting that the wet weather is set to "continue to blight the summer":
Gloomy forecasts suggest the wet weather will continue to blight the summer as the Environment Agency issued nearly 90 flood alerts and warned of a "potential danger to life".
Heavy downpours are predicted to hit the Midlands, Yorkshire and Wales, raising fears that householders could be forced to flee their homes in a repeat of scenes last month - the wettest June on record.
Weather forecasters said up to 60mm of rain could hit central and northern England today. This is the same amount that would more usually be expected to fall over the course of an average July.
It may be July, known in some other countries as summer, but here in the UK we are expecting a severely wet day, with flood warning in place across much of the country. We're here to keep you updated on travel problems, flood risks and weather-related news as it happens. What is the weather doing where you are? Please do comment below the line or send any stories and pictures to alexandra.topping@guardian.co.uk
guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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