THE Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Cornwall for spells of prolonged and heavy rain which may lead to flooding.

As Storm Christoph hits the country today and tomorrow the Met Office says homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.

  • Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life.
  • Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible.
  • Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
  • Some communities may be cut off by flooded roads
  • Possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.

Read next: Heavy rain and gales warning as Storm Christoph due to hit Cornwall

 

 

Chief Meteorologist Neil Armstrong, said “Storm Christoph will bring a mix of notable weather hazards across the UK over the next few days. Some locations in central Northern England and Wales could see a month’s rain fall in just a couple of days, with up to 200mm possible over higher ground.

"These amounts of rainfall present a real threat of flooding and people should keep a close eye on flood warnings from the Environment Agency,  Natural Resources Wales and SEPA.

“As the system moves away into the North Sea on Wednesday night and Thursday morning we start to see the potential for hazardous snow as cold air is pulled across the UK from the north west."

Although Friday will be drier with more sunshine, the delayed response of some river systems means there will be ongoing flood risks in some areas.

Craig Woolhouse, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Heavy downpours falling on already saturated ground may also cause flooding more widely across England from today until Saturday for slower responding rivers. Localised flooding on roads and land is also likely across central and southern England on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground clearing grilles, screens, deploying temporary flood defences and closing flood barriers. We urge people to keep away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car."