UK weather: Dozens of flood warnings in place as heavy rain lashes country

Forecasters warn homes likely to be flooded and fast flowing and deep floodwater poses potential danger to life

More than a hundred flood alerts and warnings are in place across Britain as torrential rain lashes the country, with the Met Office warning of further wet weather and travel disruption to come.

In England, homes and businesses from Cumbria to Somerset were urged to take immediate action with rivers running high in more than a dozen locations.

Some places in Somerset and Hampshire had more than a month's worth of rainfall in 42 hours, as the Met Office issued warnings not seen since March.

Amber alerts were in place across much of the North, the West Midlands and the South West. Forecasters said homes and businesses were likely to be flooded and fast flowing and deep floodwater posed a potential danger to life.

As of 8.30am on Sunday, a total of 13 flood warnings and 73 flood alerts - a lower category meaning flooding is possible - were in force across England.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said there was "still a fair bit of rain to come over the next 24 hours” with the amber warning areas likely to see up to 20mm of rain. As much as 50mm was forecast over higher ground on Sunday.

The Met Office said in the 42 hours running up to 6pm on Saturday, there had been 116mm of rain at Blackpitts Gate in Somerset, and 101mm at Princes Marsh in Hampshire.

A family of four had to be rescued by firefighters from a road in Billericay, Essex, on Saturday morning after their car became trapped in flood water, while police forces across the country issued warnings to drivers after a number of crashes on waterlogged roads.

In Wales, which has seen 20 flood alerts issued, temporary water pumps were installed in the Rhondda Cynon Taf village of Pentre while police warned of heavy rain and difficult driving conditions after dealing with a crash on the A40 Brecon bypass on Saturday.

Much of Scotland, which had 31 flood warnings and 12 flood alerts in place on Sunday morning, was battered by persistent and heavy rain overnight.

ScotRail said following Saturday's bad weather, affected areas will need to be checked first thing on Sunday morning to make sure routes are safe for services to run, resulting in some lines being closed.

Marc Becker, flood duty manager at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said: “We expect parts of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Angus to be the worst affected – and property flooding is possible in several areas. More details of areas affected will be included in flood warnings as they are issued in response to river levels.

“Whilst the worst impacts are expected in the north east, a much wider area covering much of the east of Scotland could also experience flooding impacts due to the heavy rain over the weekend.”

In Northern Ireland, forecasters warned of heavy rain and strong winds leading to travel delays, difficult driving conditions, flooding and power cuts.

A yellow warning for rain in northern Ireland was issued on Saturday night, and is in place until 6pm on Sunday.

Carol Holt, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Widespread and persistent heavy rain is likely to lead to flooding for some areas over the weekend. Flooding is also possible in parts of southern England today.

“Environment Agency teams have been working hard to clear grills and weed screens in areas which may be affected. We urge people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”

RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said that road conditions would be "miserable if not downright dangerous" for drivers this weekend.

He said drivers need to be prepared for "an ugly mix" of surface spray, gusty winds and more than likely some disruption on the roads.

It comes after a low-pressure system named Storm Alex moved in from France and clipped the southern edge of Britain on Friday.

People watch as waves crash along the coast at Swanage in Dorset on Friday as Storm Alex hit (PA)

Elsewhere in Europe, record rains in Italy and France killed two people and left at least 24 missing on Saturday.

A storm that moved overnight across southeastern France and then northern Italy caused major flooding on both sides of the border, destroying bridges, blocking roads and isolating communities.

In Italy, a firefighter was killed during a rescue operation in the mountainous northern region of Val d'Aosta. Another body was found in Vercelli province, near where a man had been swept away by flood waters late Friday.

A total of 16 people were reported missing in Italy, all but one travellers in cars on the Col de Tende high mountain pass between France and Italy, according to civil protection authorities.

They include two people from Germany driving with their 11-year-old and 6-year-old grandchildren, and a pair of brothers returning from France.

Additional reporting by agencies.