Posted by Emergency services have received a high number of calls from people reporting flooding after southern England was hit overnight by heavy rain and strong winds from a storm moving in from France.
Storm Aurore: Flooding in southern England as Met Office issues weather warnings
21 OCTOBER 2021 • 7:48AMFollow
Emergency services have received a high number of calls from people reporting flooding after southern England was hit overnight by heavy rain and strong winds from a storm moving in from France.
The Met Office issued a yellow rain warning covering most of southern England for Wednesday night and into Thursday, meaning people living there could see transport delays, flooding and power issues.
It came as a low-pressure system named Storm Aurore moved in from France, bringing up to 50mm of rain and 45mph winds in the worst affected areas.
Essex Fire Service said they had received more than 120 calls up till 2.30am regarding flood-related incidents.
The Met Office issued yellow rain warnings for the southern counties and Channel Islands until 3am on Thursday, but said the most severe impact of the storm would be over northern France.
It added the unsettled weather was likely to continue for the rest of the week, with showers and breezy conditions across western Scotland and some areas of central and northern England and Wales on Friday.
Forecasters predict there to be more persistent rain over the weekend, with the heaviest rain expected in western Scotland, where 40-60mm could fall in 24 hours.
Northern Ireland, northern England and Wales, could see up to 20mm of rain, while southern and central areas will see light rain.
One reading from Wandsworth in southwest London suggested three inches of rain had fallen in one 24-hour period yesterday.
Meanwhile, Police and Highways England were called to the M26 in Kent just after 11pm on Thursday after a number of vehicles became stranded in deep flood water.
Police managed to clear the drains and helped to tow away those who had been trapped.
Footage posted on social media shows a bus in Purley, south London ploughing through floodwater with water rising near the ankles of its passengers.
Transport for London was forced to close Maida Vale tube station last night due to “severe flooding”.
Operators of the Thames Barrier announced they will close their flood gates for the 200th time today to avoid “widespread damage and disruption across the capital.”