01 January 2024 , 11:15
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Millions of Brits have been warned of possible flooding as the Met Office put out warnings for heavy rain set to batter the country.
After a New Year's Eve washout for many, the new yellow alert covers huge swathes of the UK, and includes the south east, south west and as far north as Yorkshire. Heavy rain on land already wet by downpours is feared to cause transport nightmares for people returning home from celebrations, with rail and road networks set to be affected. Coming into play at 5pm today, the warning stays in place until 9pm on Tuesday, sparking a new year's washout.
The Met Office warned: "Following recent wet weather, further spells of rain, heavy in places are expected on Monday evening and overnight. Then after a brief gap, another spell of heavy rain is likely to spread northeastwards on Tuesday.
"The focus this evening and overnight will be across parts of southwest and southern England, south Wales and perhaps the Midlands. On Tuesday the focus for the heaviest rain is less clear-cut but perhaps more likely across parts of Wales, the Midlands towards eastern England and Yorkshire. Over the warning period, 15 to 30 mm rain is likely to fall fairly widely, with a few places seeing 35 to 50 mm.
"The worst of the rain should clear southwestern areas of England and south Wales by around the middle of Tuesday but could last into the evening across the northeast of the warning area. Strong winds will affect parts of the area, with a separate wind warning in place."
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
To prepare for the conditions, people are urged to prepare a flood plan as well as an emergency flood kit. People who must travel are urged to check road conditions or bus and train timetables in case of cancelations.
It comes after a "mini tornado" hit a Devon village on New Year's Eve and split a 150-year-old oak tree. Residents in Tipton St John near Sidmouth, Devon, said damage was caused to roofs, fencing and power was cut to an entire street. Simon West, who lives in the village, said: "Suddenly we heard an enormous creaking and cracking sound with the tree falling apart. All our electricity was taken out, setting off our smoke alarms - it was a bit traumatic."
Residents woke on Sunday morning to the sad loss of a 150-year-old oak tree. Resident Jo Earlam says the tree's collapse at around 5:30pm took out power cables which had to be replaced by a team from the National Grid who worked through the night. She said she feels "very lucky" as the tree only narrowly missed their house and car. Fortunately no one was hurt during the "terrifying" incident.
Regions and local authorities affected
East Midlands
Derby
Derbyshire
Leicester
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Northamptonshire
Tips to stop windscreen freezing and prevent blades from sticking to window
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
Rutland
East of England
Bedford
Cambridgeshire
Central Bedfordshire
Hertfordshire
Luton
Norfolk
Peterborough
London & South East England
Buckinghamshire
Milton Keynes
Oxfordshire
West Berkshire
Wokingham
North West England
Cheshire East
Cheshire West and Chester
Greater Manchester
Halton
Merseyside
Warrington
South West England
Bath and North East Somerset
Bristol
Cornwall
Devon
Dorset
Gloucestershire
North Somerset
Plymouth
Somerset
South Gloucestershire
Swindon
Torbay
Wiltshire
Wales
Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend
Caerphilly
Cardiff
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Conwy
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Gwynedd
Merthyr Tydfil
Monmouthshire
Neath Port Talbot
Newport
Pembrokeshire
Powys
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Swansea
Torfaen
Vale of Glamorgan
Wrexham
West Midlands
Herefordshire
Shropshire
Staffordshire
Stoke-on-Trent
Telford and Wrekin
Warwickshire
West Midlands Conurbation
Worcestershire
Yorkshire & Humber
East Riding of Yorkshire
Kingston upon Hull
North East Lincolnshire
North Lincolnshire
North Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
York