Storm Babet: New heavy rain warning issued as flooding expected in South East England
Storm Babet has left at least seven people dead and hundreds more homeless following extensive flooding with even more torrential rain forecast for Tuesday night.
A new yellow weather warning was issued on Tuesday afternoon covering large parts of south-east of England.
The new warning in place from 6pm on Tuesday till 10am on Wednesday covers London, Essex, Kent and stretches down to Dorset.
The Met Office warned heavy rain could impact travel with flooding of a few homes and businesses likely.
A total of 13 areas broke their daily rainfall records for October last week, including sites in Suffolk, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Wiltshire, Kincardineshire, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Northumberland, Derbyshire and Humberside, the Met Office said.
The new warning comes into place just as on in the north east of England expired, with Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Humberside all experiencing heavy rain throughout the day.
The storm has already claimed the lives of seven people across the UK, with over 1,250 properties flooded in England.
As of Tuesday morning, over 80 flood warnings were in place in England and Wales, while parts of Scotland were badly hit over the weekend.
For Thursday to Saturday, forecasters said: "Sunshine and showers for most with heavy downpours at times. Winds increasing towards the weekend with the strongest winds for southern and western coasts. Temperatures around average."
Read more: Storm Babet: Moment journalist is knocked off her feet by 'foam tsunami' (Yahoo News UK)
Where in the UK is at risk of flooding?
The Environment Agency has advised people to "stay away from swollen rivers" and "not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car".
It urges people to sign up for free flood alerts online, and to follow @EnvAgency on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date.
Areas at risk of flooding due to Storm Babet have also been highlighted in a series of maps provided by authorities in England and Wales, which you can look at here.
Parts of the Midlands and the North of England have been the most affected by Storm Babet, as well as parts of the East Coast of England.
A total of 80 flood warnings are in place throughout England, as well as 93 flood alerts. You can view them in closer detail here.
Read more: Drone footage shows devastation caused by Storm Babet across Derbyshire (Derbyshire Times)
A number of flood alerts in Wales have been removed since Monday, but some areas were still at risk as of Tuesday morning.
Communities along the River Dee, from Llangollen to Trevalyn Meadows, are still facing a more serious flood warning, while flood alerts are in place for North and west Pembrokeshire, the Lower Dee catchment and Lower Severn catchment in Powys.
You can take a closer look at the trouble spots by visiting Natural Resources Wales and zooming in on this map.
🌧️ A cloudy and damp start to Tuesday across northern and eastern England, with outbreaks of heavy rain
🌦️ Brighter further north and south, although a risk of heavy and thundery showers
🌡️ Light winds and temperatures around average pic.twitter.com/4sAxtGmZh9— Met Office (@metoffice) October 23, 2023
Despite the damage Storm Babet has caused to several communities, some parts of the country are in for some more pleasant and sunny weather this week.
Here, Yahoo News breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK.
Scotland
Tuesday and Wednesday
Tuesday morning will be mostly dry and sunny, particularly in the north and northwest, with some showers spreading from the east in the afternoon. Maximum temperatures of 11C.
Cloudy skies on Wednesday with outbreaks of rain and strong easterly winds. Maximum temperatures of 10C.
Thursday to Saturday
Cloudy and unsettled with easterly winds strengthening from Friday, with showers and more persistent rain during this period, becoming drier and brighter on Saturday.
South-West
Tuesday and Wednesday
A clear start to Tuesday with showers building up as the day goes on. Heaviest showers will be in Devon and Cornwall, with strong winds along the coast. Feeling pleasant in any sunshine. Maximum temperature 15C.
Cloudy for most on Wednesday but some sunny spells at times, especially in the west. Cloud and rain will move in from the southwest into the evening bringing locally heavy rain. Maximum temperature 14C.
Thursday to Saturday
Sunshine and showers for most, heavy at times. Winds increasing towards the weekend with the strongest winds along the coast. Temperatures around average, though feeling cool in the breeze.
Midlands
Tuesday and Wednesday
Cloudy and wet conditions in the East Midlands on Tuesday, with potentially large amounts of rainfall for some. Lincolnshire and South Pennines most likely to see the heaviest downpours. Some showers in the West Midlands but mostly clear by the evening. Maximum temperatures of 12C in the east and 14C in the west.
A drier Wednesday in the East, but details are uncertain, with a mixture of sunshine and scattered afternoon showers. Maximum temperatures of 13C. Early mist and fog begins in the West to lift through the morning into low cloud. Most of the sunny spells will be to the north before more rain moves in overnight. Maximum temperature 14C.
Thursday to Saturday
Remaining unsettled with further rain and showers and misty at times in the East, especially across higher ground. A mixture of sunshine and showers in the West, with winds increasing towards the weekend. Normal temperatures.
North-East
Tuesday and Wednesday
A largely cloudy and dull start to Tuesday with some brighter spells, especially in northern areas. Showery rain more confined to southern areas by early afternoon and turning drier by the evening. Light winds, away from coasts. Maximum temperature 11C.
Wednesday will get off to a dull and misty start with some light rain in northern areas. Drier and brighter in south with some sunshine. Winds remaining light. Maximum temperature 11C.
Thursday to Saturday
Remaining unsettled with further rain and showers and misty at times, especially across higher ground. Temperatures remaining near normal.
North-West
Tuesday and Wednesday
Widespread rain and plenty of cloud for most on Tuesday, as well as some hill fog. Showery outbreaks into the afternoon becoming clearer to the south and west. Feeling cooler than previous days and breezy on high ground.
More settled with light winds and sunny spells on Tuesday, but a band of cloud moving in overnight will bring heavy rain at times. Feeling pleasant in any sunshine. Maximum temperature 12C on both days.
Thursday to Saturday
A mixture of sunshine and showers. Winds increasing towards the weekend with the strongest winds along the coast. Temperatures around average, though feeling cool in the breeze.
London and the South-East
Tuesday and Wednesday
Cloud and outbreaks of heavy rain on Tuesday will roll eastwards to affect all areas by midnight. Some of this may turn thundery, especially near coasts. Minimum temperature 7C.
Wednesday starting cloudy with showers and rain, affecting much of the region, dying out and generally clearing eastwards. Turning brighter by the afternoon with some sunshine in places. Maximum temperature 14C.
Thursday to Saturday
Remaining unsettled with further rain and showers and misty at times, especially across higher ground. Detail uncertain at present. Increasingly windy near coasts. Temperatures remaining near normal.
Northern Ireland
Tuesday to Wednesday
After a cloudy start to Tuesday with frequent showers, rainfall will become more scattered as bright and sunny spells gradually increase into the afternoon.
Mostly dry and fine on Wednesday but rain arriving from the south by the end of the day. Maximum temperature 11C on both days.
Thursday to Saturday
Cloudy and unsettled with easterly winds strengthening for a time Friday, showers or more persistent rain at times throughout the period.
Wales
Tuesday and Wednesday
Patchy cloud on Tuesday with showers throughout the day with locally heavy downpours. Becoming drier in the north into the late afternoon. Blustery along southwestern coasts but feeling pleasant in any sunny spells. Maximum temperature 15C.
Mist and fog early on Tuesday morning will disperse and leave a mainly clear day for most. Cloudier towards the south and increasing into the evening with rain later. Maximum temperature 14C.
Thursday to Saturday
Sunshine and showers for most, heavy at times. Winds increasing towards the weekend with the strongest winds along the southwestern coast. Temperatures around average, though feeling cool in the breeze.
