Storm Francis news – live: Flood warnings issued as 70mph winds and heavy rain to hit UK

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Storm Francis causes rough seas in Ireland and Devon

Storm Francis is expected to lash parts of the UK with up to 90mm of rainfall and to bring 70mph winds to some coastal regions on Tuesday, the Met Office has said.

The national weather service has issued yellow weather warnings for rain and an amber warning for wind as a result of the storm, which reached the west of the UK early on Tuesday morning.

Flooding has caused damage to buildings and homes in Ireland and Northern Ireland, while several rescue operations have taken place in Wales due to rising water levels.

Key Points

• South Wales Police continue river searches 
• River Shimna in Northern Ireland bursts its banks 
• Met Office issues weather warnings for wind and rain 
• Winds of more than 50mph recorded overnight

[25 August 2020 16:25 · Rory Sullivan]

Some locations see fastest ever August winds

The Met Office has said that some locations in England and Wales have recorded their fastest ever gusts in August. 

Although the speeds are provisional and subject to change, they show that the winds brought by Storm Francis have been increasing in strength throughout Tuesday.

Lake Vyrnwy in Wales has seen gusts of 74mph, according to the Met Office.

An amber weather warning for wind remains in place across much of Wales and central England until 10pm on Tuesday evening. 

[25 August 2020 17:00 · Chiara.Giordano]

Town 'like disaster zone' after river bursts banks

People have been rescued from their homes in County Down, Northern Ireland, after a river burst its banks and left the town of Newcastle looking "like a disaster zone".

A boat was used to help residents in the town, located on the edge of the Mourne Mountains, where up to 300 homes have been affected and streets reportedly left under three or four feet of water.

Those living in the Shimna Road area have been battling floodwaters since the river the road is named after overflowed.

The Fairy Glen River in Rostrevor, near Newry, about 40 minutes away, has also burst its banks.

[25 August 2020 17:28 · Chiara.Giordano]

Motorists should brace for 'very unpleasant' conditions

Motorists have been warned they should prepare for some "very unpleasant" conditions on the roads until the middle of Wednesday.

RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said the amber weather warning covering parts of Britain means there is a real risk of disruption to journeys from flying debris such as tree branches, surface spray and potential localised flooding.

The Met Office has never before had two named storms in August since the process started in 2015, but Francis comes on the back of Ellen, which struck last week and caused power outages.

[25 August 2020 17:47 · Chiara.Giordano]

Wild campers rescued from island

Two people woke up to find themselves in deep water this morning after wild camping on an island in Dartmoor, Devon.

Gerard Taylor, area manager for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said the stranded pair had to be rescued by a specialist team as the river was "raging".

About 20 people were involved in the rescue operation, which also included Dartmoor National Park rangers and ambulance crews.

 

[25 August 2020 18:03 · Chiara.Giordano]

Rain gauges have so far recorded 86mm of rain in the Lake District and 74mm in Mid Glamorgan, Wales, according to the Met Office.

[25 August 2020 18:42 · Chiara.Giordano]

Here's a look at where the worst of those wind gusts are expected to be felt this evening and into tomorrow morning.

[25 August 2020 18:58 · Chiara.Giordano]

Transport police are urging those who live near railway lines to secure items in gardens after a green house blew onto tracks near Montpelier station in Bristol this evening.