Storm Chandra live: danger to life warning as severe flooding expected in south-west England | UK news
Danger to life warning as Storm Chandra hits the UK
Steven Morris
A red flood warning – meaning danger to life – has been issued for a river in south-west England as Storm Chandra brought heavy rain and strong winds to many areas of the UK.
The Environment Agency (EA) said severe flooding was expected on Tuesday morning in Ottery St Mary, which sits on the River Otter, with the flood water expected to be deep and fast-flowing.
Emergency services and local authorities were working with the EA, which advised people in parts of the town under threat to move family, pets and cars if safe to do so and turn off gas, electricity and water.
As day broke on Tuesday, there were almost 100 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – in England and nearly 200 alerts – meaning flooding is possible – in place, with heavy rain falling on already saturated ground. There were 17 flood alerts in Wales.
The storm was causing trouble for travellers. The M48 Severn Crossing between England and Wales was closed because of the strong winds, while high-sided vehicles were banned from the Humber Bridge in north-east England.
Sections of roads in Dorset, Somerset and east Devon were closed due to flooding. Gwent police said that the A40 was flooded between Abergavenny and Raglan in south-east Wales.
Rail operators advised people to check their planned routes before setting out. National Rail said poor weather might affect services in south-west England until the end of the day.
Key events
There are multiple road closures in south-west England because of flooding.
National Highways said “significant flooding” has closed the A30 in Devon between the B3174/B3180 junctions near Ottery St Mary and the B3184 for Exeter airport.
It said: “Standing water has made the route impassable, and conditions remain hazardous.
“Crews are monitoring water levels and working to restore safe conditions when possible.”
The A303 is closed between the A30 at Upottery in Devon and the A358 at Horton Cross, Somerset.
In Dorset, the A35 is closed in both directions between the A352 Max Gate junction and the B3150 Stinsford roundabout near Dorchester.
Drivers have been warned not to drive through standing water unless they are completely certain the water is shallow enough and it’s safe to do so.
RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Nick Mullender said: “Flooding is highly likely, making many roads dangerous. Our message to drivers is simple: do not drive through standing water unless you are completely certain the water is shallow enough and it’s safe to do so.
“In these conditions, drivers need to slow down and stay alert. Wet roads can double stopping distances, so taking a cautious, steady approach and allowing extra time to react is essential.
“And if your vehicle already has known faults, now is not the time to take risks. Avoid unnecessary journeys and get issues fixed promptly by a trusted mobile mechanic or local garage.”
There were 69 flood warnings in place across England early on Tuesday morning, with the majority in south-west England and four in Yorkshire.
Flood warnings were also issued for Aberbothrie and the River Isla at Coupar Angus in Scotland, with 17 flood alerts active across Wales.
Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: “Initially, strong winds will impact the Isles of Scilly, western Cornwall and south-west Wales which are still vulnerable after Storm Goretti, gusts of 70 to 80mph are possible here.
“Heavy rain is an additional hazard as it falls on saturated ground in Dorset and southern parts of Devon, Somerset and Cornwall.
“As Chandra interacts with colder air further north snow becomes a hazard, with 10-20cm of snow possibly accumulating over higher ground in the Pennines, southern Scotland and the Highlands.
“With a complex spell of weather, its important people stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings in your area.”
Storm Chandra brought travel disruption and flooding as strong winds and heavy rain hit much of the UK.
The M48 Severn Bridge was closed on Tuesday morning with The Humber Bridge shut to high-sided vehicles due to wind.
Snow was also forecast in parts of the country as a number of weather warnings came into force, PA reported.
National Rail issued a warning that “poor weather may affect South Western Railway services until the end of the day”, while traffic between England and Wales was being diverted over the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.
Gwent Police said that the A40 was flooded between Abergavenny and Raglan, while sections of several roads in Dorset, Somerset and east Devon were closed due to flooding.
National Highways has said the A66 is closed between the A67 near Bowes in County Durham and the A685 near Brough in Cumbria because of snow.
Drivers travelling across the Pennines are advised to “plan ahead and consider alternate routes”.
Police warn against travel in Exeter, East and Mid Devon
Devon and Cornwall Police said there was “significant surface water and areas of flooding across parts of the force” due to Storm Chandra.
There is widespread disruption of the roads particularly across Exeter, East and Mid Devon this morning, with many roads becoming impassable
Please do not travel in those areas – Exeter, East and Mid Devon – at this time unless you urgently need to.
We are experiencing an increase in reports of people coming up against flood water.
Please do not attempt to drive through it. The weather is improving but rivers are still responding to earlier heavy rainfall.
Steven Morris
An amber weather warning for rain is in place for parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset. The Met Office said 30-50mm rainfall was likely in these areas, with 60-80mm across some higher ground, especially south Dartmoor.
A second amber warning was in force for wind for parts of Northern Ireland, where the Met Office said severe gales were likely, which could bring down trees and cause dangerous coastal conditions. Gusts of up to 75mph were expected.
The Met Office said winds were often coming from a more unusual southeasterly or easterly direction, so places usually sheltered would bear the brunt. The forecaster predicted that snow could fall on higher ground in parts of the northern UK, causing blizzard-like conditions in some places.
Parts of south-west England are still coping with the fallout from Storms Goretti and Ingrid earlier this month. Winds of 99mph (160km/h) hit the Isles of Scilly and thousands of people in Cornwall were left without power, water and internet. The storm also brought down thousands of trees.
Danger to life warning as Storm Chandra hits the UK
Steven Morris
A red flood warning – meaning danger to life – has been issued for a river in south-west England as Storm Chandra brought heavy rain and strong winds to many areas of the UK.
The Environment Agency (EA) said severe flooding was expected on Tuesday morning in Ottery St Mary, which sits on the River Otter, with the flood water expected to be deep and fast-flowing.
Emergency services and local authorities were working with the EA, which advised people in parts of the town under threat to move family, pets and cars if safe to do so and turn off gas, electricity and water.
As day broke on Tuesday, there were almost 100 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – in England and nearly 200 alerts – meaning flooding is possible – in place, with heavy rain falling on already saturated ground. There were 17 flood alerts in Wales.
The storm was causing trouble for travellers. The M48 Severn Crossing between England and Wales was closed because of the strong winds, while high-sided vehicles were banned from the Humber Bridge in north-east England.
Sections of roads in Dorset, Somerset and east Devon were closed due to flooding. Gwent police said that the A40 was flooded between Abergavenny and Raglan in south-east Wales.
Rail operators advised people to check their planned routes before setting out. National Rail said poor weather might affect services in south-west England until the end of the day.
