Overview
- Met Office amber warnings for persistent heavy rain run from midday to midnight across parts of Wales, the Midlands, South West, South East and East of England, with extensions into Yorkshire, alongside a broader yellow rain warning through Saturday morning.
- Forecasters expect 60–80mm of rain fairly widely with up to 150mm on higher ground and warn some places could see a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours, with gusts around 60–70mph in exposed northwestern areas.
- More than 100 Environment Agency flood alerts are in force across England with multiple flood warnings, while Natural Resources Wales lists over 20 alerts as rivers rise and surface‑water flooding becomes more likely.
- Rail operators have imposed speed restrictions, cut services and closed some routes — including Exeter to Barnstaple — and passengers are urged to check before travelling as delays and cancellations build.
- Local authorities have pre‑emptively closed facilities and a Caerphilly school, and agencies including the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, the AA and the British Red Cross urge people to avoid non‑essential travel and never drive through floodwater.