Flood warnings have been issued after thunderstorms and rain swept across the UK on Monday, June 19, 2023. The Met Office issued an amber thunderstorm warning for parts of the West Midlands, north-west England and Wales, warning of heavy rain, lightning, hail and strong winds. Fourteen Midlands areas and 16 Scottish areas have been issued flood alerts by the Environment Agency.
The flooding has disrupted travel and businesses, with some roads closed and train services cancelled. There have also been reports of flooding in homes and businesses.
The Met Office has said that the thunderstorms will continue into the evening, and further flooding is likely. People are advised to stay safe and to follow the advice of the emergency services.
Here are some tips for staying safe during flooding:
- Stay away from floodwaters.
- If you must drive, be aware of the risks of going through floodwaters.
- If your home is flooded, turn off the electricity and gas.
- Move valuables to a safe place.
- Stay informed about the latest weather conditions.
You can find more information about flooding and how to stay safe on the Met Office and the Environment Agency websites.
As of 20:56 PST on June 19, 2023, the Met Office has downgraded the amber thunderstorm warning to yellow. However, there are still flood warnings in place for some areas. It’s important to keep yourself safe by following the guidance given by the emergency services. Please continue to do so.
The rain and storms have moved north into Scotland, but with the hot, humid weather continuing, more storms could be on the way.
And, if you are wondering why sometimes a friend might say they had dry weather while you had storms, BBC Weather’s Matt Taylor has the answer:
“Due to the nature of thunderstorms, there could be huge variations in weather conditions over a short distance. Whilst some areas stay dry and humid, others close-by could experience the severe storms with torrential rain, hail and frequent lightning.”
