UK weather – live: London's Victoria station floods amid 'danger to life' storm warning
Tube stations closed across capital as transport network overwhelmed by heavy rain
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Parts of London are experience flash flooding as thunderstorms overwhelm the country’s parched landscape with heavy rain.
London’s Victoria Station was partially flooded as several tube stations were forced to close as they were overwhelmed by run-off from torrential rain.
Footage from around the capital showed commuters contending with deep pools of water that had collected on roads around the evening rush hour.
The Met Office issued both yellow and amber weather warnings for thunderstorms covering southeast England and south Wales.
Dan Suri, forecaster for the Met Office, said: “With no meaningful rainfall in some southern locations since June, soils in these areas have become baked by the sun turning them into hard almost impenetrable surfaces.
“Any rainfall in these areas won’t be able to soak away and instead it will wash off soils and other hard surfaces, creating flash flooding in some areas.”
Thames Water hosepipe ban to begin next week as 15 million customers face restrictions
How to protect your home from flooding as thunderstorms hit UK
Fresh flood warnings for millions as rain and thunderstorms continue in England
What is thunderstorm asthma? Warning over ‘rare phenomenon’ as UK hit by dramatic weather change
Map of thunderstorm and flood warnings in England
The Met Office has issued an amber weather alert for thunderstorms which are “likely” to cause floods across south east England.
Parts of London and the entirety of Kent are amongst areas thought to be impacted by floods, causing damage to homes and businesses.
Delays to public transport services and power cuts are likely.
‘Danger to life’ thunderstorm and flood warning issued by Met Office
The Met Office has issued an amber alert for thunderstorms on Wednesday, including parts of London and all of Kent.
The warning, which runs from 11am to 10pm, said flooding of homes and businesses is “likely”, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.
Fast flowing or deep floodwater is also said to be “likely, causing danger to life”.
Thomas Kingsley has the full story.
New ‘danger to life’ thunderstorm and flood warning issued by Met office
The forecaster also warned of power cuts and transport delays
Flash floods and downpours hit Devon and Cornwall
Flash flooding struck Devon and Cornwall as the end of the heatwave in the UK was marked by torrential downpours.
Footage shows gushing floodwater at Haywood Cider Farm near Wadebridge, Cornwall and cars struggling to drive in both locations yesterday.
A yellow thunderstorm warning was issued for England and Wales by the Met Office for Tuesday, 16 August, through to midnight that night.
A further yellow warning is in place for Wednesday for thunderstorms across southern England.
Amber warning for thunderstorms in south east England
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for thunderstorms in south east England.
Parts of London, Brighton and Canterbury are likely to be affected by flooding and disruption after weeks of hot, dry weather.
People are being warned of quick floods that could cause damage along with lightning strikes, hail and strong winds.
Fast-flowing or deep floodwater is likely and can pose a danger to life.
Torrential rain and thunderstorms for England and Wales
Torrential rain and thunderstorms are forecast for across England and Wales after weeks of hot, dry weather.
The Met Office issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for Wednesday as they predict that “20 to 30 mm of rain is possible within an hour”.
People in central, southern and eastern parts of England and in south-east Wales could face flash flooding, transport disruption and power cuts.
The chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater may also cause danger to life, the Met Office warn.
Thames Water announce hosepipe ban from next week
Thames Water has announced a hosepipe ban from next week as 15 million customers across London and other areas face restrictions.
The ban will come into force from Wednesday 24 August, and is one of many being introduced across England as water companies try to save resources during very dry weather.
In a statement on its website, Thames Water said: “After the driest July on record, and below-average rainfall in 10 of the last 12 months, water levels in our rivers and reservoirs are much lower than usual.
“With low rainfall forecast for the coming months, we now need to take the next step in our drought plan,” they added.
Holly Bancroft has the full story.
Thames Water hosepipe ban to begin next week as 15m customers face restrictions
Thames Water has announced it will introduce a hosepipe ban next week as 15 million customers face restrictions.
What is thunderstorm asthma?
The three-day Met Office weather warning highlights the risk of potential flash floods, power cuts and travel disruption across much of the country as the heavy rain hits, writes Zoe Tidman.
But experts also warn there could be a rare health risk during the stormy weather, in the form of “thunderstorm asthma”.
Read what it is and how these events trigger breathing problems:
Warning over ‘rare phenomenon’ thunderstorm asthma as UK hit by dramatic weather
The Met Office issued three day thunderstorm warning for most of the UK, raising concerns over impact for hayfever and asthma sufferers
Scotland receives week's worth of rain in 24 hours
Parts of Scotland have witnessed heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours as the country is hit by torrential rains and is under a yellow alert.
The amount of rainfall received in several pockets exceeds what is generally witnessed in a whole week at the beginning of August.
The BBC reported that Strathallan near Perth had seen 55.2mm (2 inches) of rainfall in less than 24 hours. This is 71 per cent of the 77mm the area normally sees in the whole of August.
Houghton Hall in Norfolk saw 17mm (0.7in) of rain in the space of an hour on Tuesday afternoon, the report said.
The heavy rainfall has also sparked travel chaos with local media reporting train delays and traffic disruptions.ScotRail had warned passengers to expect delays on some routes as speed restrictions were in place due to heavy rainfall. Trains were limited to 40mph, or 20mph if the usual speed limit is lower.
Network Rail also said it was forced to deal with flooding at the Perth station.
Traffic Scotland has warned surface water was affecting many routes and urged motorists to take care.
Video: Floodwater pools in south Wales as motorists struggle to navigate roads
Motorists struggled to navigate as torrential downpours sent floodwater pooling on Welsh roads.
Footage shows cars driving through a road that was inundated with water in Port Talbot.
The Met Office issued a status yellow thunderstorm warning for Wales and England, valid through to midnight, and warned that conditions could pose a danger to life.
Pictures show water-logging and floods after downpour
Pictures and videos have emerged from around the UK of flash flooding in areas hit by thunderstorms since Monday.
People are sharing images of water-logging on roads and inside their houses as the downpour is expected to continue.
The rain has predominately affected the south of England and Wales as well as the Midlands and East of England.
The Environment Agency currently has 19 flood alerts in force for parts of the Midlands and south-east England as the wet weather continues to batter Britain.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments