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The UK has woken up to heavy rain and 90mph winds as Storm Bram lands, with flooding and travel disruption expected today.
The Met Office issued amber and yellow weather warnings for strong winds and torrential rain in the western and northern parts of Britain, with flooding of roads and homes expected.
Fast-flowing and sudden flooding could cause danger to life, the forecaster warned.
Road conditions are likely to be treacherous until tomorrow as the storm sweeps across the UK.
Those travelling by train and bus today should brace for delays and cancellations in the worst-affected areas.
Where are the weather warnings in place?
The forecaster issued an amber rain warning for South West England, and south Wales. An amber wind warning is also in place in the Highlands.
Up to 75mm of rain is expected to wash out parts of Cornwall and Devon, with most of it landing in just nine hours, the Met Office warned.
The amber warnings – the second-highest category of alerts – are in place until 10am today.
Yellow wind warnings in England are active until 4pm today in the South West, while downpours are expected to ease slightly earlier in the North East, North West, and Yorkshire regions.
National Rail issued a travel alert this morning as heavy rain could flood tracks, while wind gusts could rip trees on overhead lines, slowing down journeys.
Flooding has shut the railway between Swindon and Bristol Parkway this morning. Great Western Railway services face delays, cancellations and revisions until the end of the day.
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Where is flooding expected?
Where flooding is expected
Dozens of rivers are at risk of bursting their banks.
Here is a full list of the places where flooding is expected.
- Bristol Avon (upper) from Chippenham to Melksham
- Keswick Campsite
- North Bank Road alongside the River Nene, east of Peterborough and west of Dog-in-a-Doublet Sluice
- Plymouth Sound, Wembury Bay and tidal estuaries
- River Avon at South Brent, Avonwick and Aveton Gifford
- River Avon from Didworthy to Aveton Gifford
- River Axe (Lower) from Axminster to Axmouth
- River Axe (Upper) from Winsham to Axminster, including Chard Junction and Weycroft
- River Brit at Newtown, and Southgate Old Mill, Beaminster
- River Dart from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, including Staverton
- River Dart from Dartmeet to Buckfastleigh
- River Derwent at Buttercrambe Mill
- River Derwent at Stamford Bridge – The Weir Caravan Park and Kexby Bridge
- River Harbourne at Crowdy Mill, Beenleigh, Bow and Tuckenhay
- River Lynher from Berriowbridge to Notter Bridge
- River Ouse at York – riverside properties
- River Plym from Shaugh Bridge to Riverside Caravan Park
- River Seaton from the A38 to Seaton
- River Severn at Severn Ham, Tewkesbury
- River Teign (Lower) from Chudleigh to Kingsteignton
- River Walkham from Huckworthy to Bedford Bridge
- River Wriggle at Chetnole
- River Yealm at Yealmbridge and Yealmpton
- South Cornwall coast at Mounts Bay, seafront properties
- South Cornwall coast from Gribbin Head to Rame Head
- South Cornwall coast from Lands End to Lizard Point excluding Mounts Bay
- South Cornwall coast from Lizard Point to Gribbin Head excluding the Tidal Fal Estuary
- South Devon coast at the Kingsbridge and Avon estuaries
- South Hayling and South Eastoke seafront
- Tidal Fal Estuary
- Upper Frome at Maiden Newton
- West Bay East Beach
A further 172 flood alerts are also in force, meaning flooding is possible in these areas.
If your area is at risk of flooding, avoid travelling by road in dangerous conditions.
Driving or walking through floodwater can be risky, as it can suddenly become fast-flowing and deep. If you get caught in flooding, call 999 and wait for help.
Met Office Chief Forecaster, Dan Suri, said: ‘Storm Bram will bring a very wet and windy spell of weather, with very strong winds and further heavy rain which, falling over saturated ground, could cause flooding impacts.
‘Within the Amber wind warning over northwest Scotland, gusts of up to 90 mph could be recorded. More widely, gusts of 50-60 mph, and perhaps 70 mph in a few spots, are expected across Wales, southwest England, and Northern Ireland.
‘Rain is an additional impact from Storm Bram, with the possibility of 100mm over higher ground in the south of Wales and parts of Devon. This could require updates to warnings, so it’s important to stay up to date with the forecast in your area, as well as any flood warnings from your local environment agency.’
What is the weather like tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10?
Strong winds will continue in northern England, north Wales and Scotland until tomorrow morning as the storm moves away from the UK.
Gusts of up to 70mph are still possible on high ground before the storm gradually eases by Wednesday morning.
Who named Storm Bram?
Storm Bram was named by Met Eireann, the Irish version of the Met Office, who work jointly with the Dutch and UK Met Offices to categorise and name storms.
Official names used in the UK are updated annually at the start of the autumn and winter storm season, generally running from early September until late August the following year.
The UK has used this system since 2015 to make communicating dangers from extreme weather simpler.
If a storm arrives here that has already been named by another country, such as a weakened hurricane, it will keep its original name to avoid confusion.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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