A major incident has been declared in Wales following “severe and widespread flooding,” while a significant portion of England is now under a cold weather alert. The flooding, impacting numerous communities, prompted the declaration as emergency services respond to widespread disruption.
Persistent rainfall throughout Friday led to rising river levels and overwhelmed drainage systems across Wales, causing road closures, evacuations, and damage to properties. A yellow weather warning for rain remains in effect for most of Wales until 6am on Saturday, with some areas potentially receiving 30 to 50mm (1.2 to 2in) of rainfall, and up to 100mm (3.9in) in parts of southeast Wales.Concurrently, a separate yellow warning is in place for Counties down and Armagh in Northern Ireland from midnight until noon on Saturday, where 10 to 20mm (0.4 to 0.8in) of rain is expected, potentially exceeding 40mm (1.6in) in the Mourne mountains.
The cold weather alert for England, issued by the UK Health Security agency, covers a large area roughly south of York and is in effect until Monday.It signals a potential risk to the health of vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions, as temperatures are expected to drop.
Northern Ireland also faces continued wet conditions, with a yellow warning extending until noon on saturday. Residents are advised to prepare for potential travel disruption and localized flooding. The Met office advises caution and preparedness as the unsettled weather continues.
