NORTH WALES is to continue to brace itself for severe weather conditions as the Met Office extends its rain warnings amid the onslaught of Storm Babet. In the wake of torrential downpours, the Met Office has issued yellow warnings for heavy rain, covering most of Wales from midnight on Friday to 6 am on Saturday. An amber warning has been specifically issued for Wrexham and Flintshire, indicating the intensity of the storm in these regions.
Storm Babet has already wreaked havoc across the UK, with Scotland bearing the brunt of the deluge. In a matter of hours, parts of Scotland experienced a deluge equivalent to a month’s worth of rain. This extreme weather event, coupled with powerful winds, has led to major transport disruptions and triggered widespread flooding. Natural Resources Wales has issued flood alerts for several areas in the northeast of the country.
The yellow weather warning, effective until early Saturday, cautions of further heavy rain moving across England and Wales, exacerbating the impact of the incessant downpour. Northern England, in particular, faces the brunt, with gusts of up to 60 mph anticipated near the east coast and over the Pennines. Parts of north Wales might witness over 100 mm of rain during this period, intensifying the risk of flooding.
The amber warning for Flintshire and Wrexham, in effect from noon on Friday until 6 am on Saturday, predicts persistent and heavy rain in southeast Scotland and northern England. Rainfall estimates range from 40 to 60 mm, with the possibility of localised totals between 80 and 120 mm due to strong easterly winds.
As the storm rages on, hundreds of homes have been evacuated, and tragically, a 57-year-old woman lost her life in the flooding at Water of Lee, Glen Esk, prompting an outpouring of condolences led by First Minister Humza Yousaf. Efforts to ensure public safety are underway, with emergency services urging residents to evacuate, even as power cuts affect thousands across Scotland, predominantly in Aberdeenshire and Angus.
Despite these challenges, the Met Office anticipates a slight improvement in the weather for Wales over the weekend. Saturday’s forecast predicts cloudy conditions with occasional showers and gusty winds, while Sunday to Tuesday may see brighter spells interspersed with showers. While the worst might be over, the aftermath of Storm Babet serves as a stark reminder of the UK’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, underscoring the need for continued preparedness and resilience in the face of nature’s fury. Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding situation.
