The Environment Agency has indicated that vehicles are at risk of being carried away by as little as 30 cm (12 in) of water following the issuance of over 60 flood warnings across England due to significant rainfall overnight, with additional precipitation anticipated.
Rail services in England and Wales experienced disruptions due to flooding on Thursday morning, leading to the closure of the M5 motorway in both directions in Gloucestershire.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain impacting the southern regions of England and Wales, with the Midlands experiencing the most significant effects. On Friday at 8am, the Environment Agency (EA) reported 66 flood warnings across England, along with an additional 121 flood alerts.
The Environment Agency reported that approximately 385 properties experienced flooding across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Kent, and the surrounding home counties.
Caroline Douglass, the executive director of the EA for flood and coastal erosion, recommended that motorists avoid traversing areas of road that are inundated.
During an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she stated: “Avoid the risk of driving through flood water, as just 30 cm can cause your car to float.” It is likely approximately 50% of the height of your tyres.
30 Douglass indicated that drivers often miscalculate the associated risk: “They perceive a car as a substantial mass that is difficult to manoeuvre.” However, 30 cm represents a relatively small volume of water. Many of these waterways exhibit flow rates that exceed common perceptions.
“A minimal amount of buoyancy is sufficient for a vehicle to become displaced, resulting in its potential to be carried away.” It is imperative to avoid the recurrence of the unfortunate events observed in the current and prior years.
She recommended that individuals refrain from walking in proximity to rivers or watercourses during the weekend, emphasising the importance of ensuring the safety of their pets and children.
Douglass indicated that the agency expressed significant concern regarding flooding occurrences in the Midlands region. “In the past week, there has been a significant occurrence of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, resulting in the saturation of specific regions.” As we progress through the weekend and into the following week, we anticipate an increase in conventional winter precipitation that will be more extensive. Unfortunately, this will occur on ground that is already saturated. The Midlands are projected to experience the greatest impact.
The Met Office warning indicates that precipitation may result in challenging driving conditions and potential road closures. Additionally, there is a likelihood of flooding affecting homes and businesses, with certain communities possibly becoming isolated due to floodwaters.
Localised flooding is expected to persist. Numerous regions have experienced significant rainfall over the past few weeks, resulting in saturated ground conditions,” stated meteorologist Greg Dewhurst in an interview with PA Media.
He indicated that while conditions were projected to improve over the course of the day, “rivers typically require time to react, so we anticipate ongoing disruptions in central and southern regions during the morning hours.”
“Individuals intending to travel on Friday should incorporate this consideration into their estimated journey durations,” he added.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service reported collaboration with National Highways: South-West to facilitate the rescue of individuals stranded on the M5 in Gloucestershire due to significant rainfall resulting in flooding on the motorway.
National Highways reported that the M5 experienced a closure in the northbound direction between junctions 16 and 14, while the southbound carriageway was also closed between junctions 14 and 15 due to emergency services addressing the flooding situation.
Councils and emergency services in Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire have verified several road closures and provided assurances to residents regarding their ongoing efforts to maintain safety throughout the night.
Tewkesbury Borough Council, located in Gloucestershire, has been distributing sandbags to residents as a measure to mitigate the risk of flooding to their properties.
National Rail has indicated that adverse weather conditions may impact train operations in England and Wales on Friday. Train services to and from Aberystwyth will be suspended until 1pm. Disruptions are anticipated between Bicester North and Banbury in Oxfordshire until 3pm. Additionally, the line between Ledbury and Hereford is blocked as of Friday morning.
Service disruptions occurred between Shrewsbury in Shropshire and Wolverhampton in the West Midlands due to significant flooding at Wellington station, compounded by an earlier incident involving a fallen tree on the line. Additionally, trains operating between Peterborough and London King’s Cross experienced delays as a result of flooding conditions.
The Marston Vale line in Bedfordshire, which facilitates operations between Bedford and Bletchley, has been suspended until Monday due to the presence of standing water on the track.