The Met Office has recently issued a second weather warning for rain in the south-west of England, anticipating more disruptions for this already affected region.
Initially, the Met Office had placed a weather alert that is valid until 23:59 GMT, but now they are preparing for an additional warning that will take effect at 09:00 on Friday and remain in place until 06:00 on Saturday morning. This new warning indicates that further rainfall could lead to travel complications in Devon and Cornwall, with the potential for buildings to face flooding risks.
This latest warning comes on the heels of severe weather caused by Storm Ingrid on Saturday and Storm Chandra on Monday. These storms wreaked havoc across the area, leading to the closure of schools, businesses, and pubs due to extensive flooding.
According to the Met Office's forecast, a band of rain is expected to sweep across Cornwall and progressively move northeast throughout the evening, clearing out early on Saturday. Rainfall during this period is anticipated to be "heavy at times," with amounts ranging from 10 to 20mm (about 0.4 to 0.8 inches), and possibly reaching up to 30mm (1.2 inches) across the moors and west Cornwall. The forecaster has cautioned that this rainfall may exacerbate flooding issues, especially since the ground is already saturated from previous storms, and there are also strong winds expected in certain areas.
In the first warning period, which has been updated to end earlier than previously planned at 03:00 on Friday, it was stated that the ongoing rain might worsen flooding in various locations following the recent storm activity. The geographical scope of this initial warning includes Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire.
Additionally, the Environment Agency has issued flood warnings and alerts covering several areas, including the A361 from East Lyng to Burrowbridge, the River Parrett, Washford River, Salt Moor, North Moor, as well as the River Fowey, Helford, Fal Rivers, and rivers in North Cornwall.
Moreover, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) has shared warnings regarding forecasts of large sea swells, advising coastal residents to stay alert. They predict wave heights of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters), which could cause sudden surges along beaches on Friday, potentially overtopping sea fronts and harbour walls, thereby posing risks to unsuspecting individuals. The lifeboat service strongly recommends that people maintain a safe distance from the water, as these conditions could easily knock someone off their feet or wash them into the sea.
But here's where it gets controversial: Are we doing enough as a society to prepare for these increasingly severe weather patterns? As climate change continues to impact our weather systems, should we be taking more proactive measures rather than just issuing warnings? What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
