BIRMINGHAM — Dozens of homes have been damaged after flooding hit parts of England and Wales as heavy thunderstorms followed an unusually dry summer. The Met Office warned that some areas could see up to 75mm of rain in 12 hours, while the Environment Agency issued 40 flood alerts across the Midlands, Yorkshire and the south-east on Thursday morning.
The latest downpours came at the end of a season in which most of England and all of Wales had been declared in drought. Yellow thunderstorm warnings covered large parts of the two nations, with further rain alerts in place into Friday. Officials said the intense rainfall could cause problems quickly because soils remain hard and compacted after months of dry weather.
Flood alerts issued across several regions as river levels rise rapidly
The Environment Agency said flood alerts meant flooding was possible in the Midlands, Yorkshire and the south-east. One alert was issued for the River Maun at Edwinstowe and Ollerton in Nottinghamshire, where river levels at the Mansfield The Dykes gauging station were rising rapidly.
The agency said Old Rufford Road was the area most at risk. It also warned that river conditions could worsen quickly in catchments affected by sudden heavy rain. A second yellow warning covered Lincolnshire, parts of the east of England, Yorkshire, Kent and Medway from 5pm on Thursday until 7am on Friday.
Earlier on Thursday, the Met Office said thundery showers could bring intense rainfall in a short period, raising the risk of flash flooding. The warnings stretched across the Midlands, east and south of England, the north-west, Yorkshire and Humber, and Wales, reflecting the broad reach of the unsettled weather.
Birmingham residents describe water surging into homes and gardens
In Birmingham, residents in the Perry Barr area were left dealing with significant flooding after storms on Wednesday night. West Midlands Fire Service said it was called to flooding at 32 properties near the Tame Valley canal and sent seven fire engines to the scene.
Ryan Goodwin, who lives on one of the affected streets, said his conservatory was flooded with about 3ft of water and his living room was damaged. He said the water arrived very quickly, with the road turning into a river within about half an hour after he got home with his children.
Goodwin said water had gone under laminate flooring in the front room and affected electrics. He added that neighbours’ belongings were also soaked and that he was speaking to his insurer while clearing out wet items. His father-in-law, Jay Patel, said the water came “really, really fast”.
Drought remains severe despite rain, with England still mostly affected
The Environment Agency said that after a National Drought Group meeting on Thursday morning, 71.3% of England remained in drought. It said only 34% of the rainfall normally expected in August had fallen so far, showing how dry the season has been even with the latest storms.
Climate scientists have repeatedly warned that global heating is making weather in the UK more volatile, with sharper swings between heat, drought, heavy rain and storms. Five heatwaves have already been recorded in the UK this summer, according to the report.
Environment Agency chief executive Philip Duffy said a few days, or even weeks, of wetter weather could not undo months of exceptionally dry conditions. He said the current yellow thunderstorm warnings showed it was possible to have drought and flood at the same time when heavy rain lands on compacted ground.
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