Flooding fears as Met Office issue weather warning for rain

The Met Office have issued a Yellow Weather Warning for rain today, Wednesday 23rd December, and into tomorrow with 20-40mm possible.

The forecast rain means flooding is possible on already saturated ground and a full river.

The Met Office said: “Spells of heavy rain are expected across southern and central England as well as parts of Wales during Wednesday and early Thursday. The heaviest rain is likely to develop during Wednesday afternoon and continue well into the evening before clearing away southeastwards by Thursday morning.

“The highest rainfall totals look likely to be over parts of East Anglia, the Midlands, southern and eastern Wales and, perhaps, parts of the West Country. Here 20-40 mm rain is likely for many with some places seeing as much as 50-70 mm rain. The heavy rain will be accompanied by strong north to northeasterly winds during Wednesday evening and overnight.”

The Environment Agency (EA) said: “River levels are high at the Mordiford and Ross-on-Wye river gauges following rainfall. We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads along the River Wye from Hay on Wye to Ross-on-Wye.”

The EA are currently predicting a peak in Ross of 4.5m to 4.8m Thursday evening.