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Commuters are facing a morning of travel chaos with disruption on trains and flooded roads set to continue after nearly a month’s worth of rain fell yesterday in parts of Southern England.
The wet weather brought much of southern England to a standstill yesterday, with one pub garden in Croydon, south London ripped apart by conditions likened to a tornado.
Meanwhile, in East Croydon, staff at Nandos were forced to rush out to people caught in the torrential rain and gales, clinging onto their belongings as the brutal winds grabbed hold of them.
Many took to social media to ask the question whether a tornado had taken place in Croydon. One user said: ‘Was that just a #tornado in #Croydon? Sudden downpour, lots of lightning, huge winds. Then stopped!’.
In west London, a tree had collapsed onto a road in Shepherd’s Bush as a result of the stormy conditions that saw chaos unfold.
Other astonishing footage showed dramatic rain and lightning across the capital as the storm before calming sunsets were seen.
There was reports of major airports including Heathrow facing mass disruption yesterday. However, the travel chaos continues into today with Great Western Railway warning that disruption through Reading is expected until 7am – when commuters are set to line the platforms.
The rail operator cited damage to overhead electric wires at Reading as the reason as to why disruption is expected in the early hours of this morning.
Those travelling to work on roads this morning will also face disruption after the weekend’s flooding. There have been 26 flood alerts issued by the Environmental Agency across the UK including in Bristol, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Chertsey Bourne – meaning flooding is possible.
There have also been two flood warnings issued where flooding is expected. This is in Saredon Brook at Standeford near Coven and Smestow Brook at Hinksford.
The M4 will also reportedly be closed until this morning after long queues were reported near Slough and Maidenhead, Berkshire.
The nation’s public transport was severely impacted yesterday evening, with South Western Railway passengers facing disruption as a result of a tree falling on the tracks, causing delays between Salisbury and Romsey.
National Rail was also severely affected as they faced heavy flooding on on train routes between Stourbridge Junction and Birmingham Snow Hill, and Stoke-On-Trent and Macclesfield.
Meanwhile, Southeastern services into London were forced to close lines at West Wickham and Welling after trees fell on the lines.
This was further compounded when replacement busses between Tunbridge Wells and Battle were impacted when a tree fell and blocked the road.
A yellow warning was put in place for thunder for much of southern and eastern England, including Bath, Brighton, Norwich and London, until 2am this morning, with businesses and homes at risk of being flooded quickly.
Much of southern England could see flash flooding in the coming days as heavy rain leaves businesses and homes at risk of damage, forecasters have warned. Pictured: Flash flooding in Lincolnshire on Sunday
Pictured: Heavy rainfall at Witton railway station in Birmingham, West Midlands on Sunday
Incredible images of the sun setting were seen across the UK after the destructive storms had taken hold of the UK all day
Pictures taken on Oxford Street in central London after heavy rainfall yesterday. Heavy downpour was followed by a dramatic sunset, full of colour
Heavy rainfall yesterday was followed by a dramatic sunset, with blazing skies seen in pictures and videos shared on social media.
The Met Office had warned householders of potentially damaging floodwater, lightning strikes, hail and strong winds.
The warning added that transport could also be affected, including potential road closures and train cancellations.
Heathrow Airport had reported a number of delayed flights due to the inclement weather, with a significant number of planes reported to be in a holding pattern, while Gatwick flights are reported to be similarly affected,
Inrix, the traffic data company, said: ‘Reports of thunderstorms affecting flights to / from London Heathrow Airport. Passengers should check the status of their flight before travelling. Most flights in and out are delayed due to heavy rainfall.’
Up to 60mm (2.3in) was predicted in isolated locations across southeastern and central England during thundery downpours which were forecast to continue until around 2am this morning.
The conditions, brought by a weather front moving west to east, caused train disruption and flash flooding. Total average rainfall for the whole of September across England is normally 68mm (2.7in).
But the wettest place in the country yesterday morning was Bratch, Worcestershire, where 34.8mm (1.37in) fell between 3am and midday.
More than an inch of rain was also recorded yesterday morning at locations in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire and Somerset.
Forecasters predict there will be some ‘heavier showers’ over Sunday night, before drying out today– with some sunny spells even on the cards. Pictured: People walk through Cambridge in heavy rain on Sunday
The warning adds that transport could also be affected, including potential road closures and train cancellations. Pictured: Flooded roads in Lincolnshire at the weekend
A yellow warning has been put in place for thunder for much of southern and eastern England, including Bath, Brighton, Norwich and London, until 2am this morning
The Meteorological Office had warned that the total amount of rain could lead to flooding of homes and businesses.
The yellow warning on the Met Office’s website stated: ‘There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.’
It added that transport could also be affected, including potential road closures and train cancellations.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said the storms could lead to 0.8mm to 1.2mm (0.3 to 0.5in) of rainfall in one hour, causing flash flooding. He said: ‘We’re talking flash flooding, surface water flooding, because of intense rates in a short period of time.’
However, in brighter news, further sunny spells are predicted this week once the storms pass and temperatures could be almost as high as in parts of France, where Bordeaux will be 22C (72F) tomorrow.
Mr Burkill said: ‘Through the next few days temperatures will be rising. By the middle of the week, we could be in the low 20s in some places, possibly 21 (70F).’
National Rail reported disruption caused by heavy flooding on train routes between Stourbridge Junction and Birmingham Snow Hill, and Stoke-On-Trent and Macclesfield.
There were also reports on social media of flooded roads in Lincolnshire.
A warning on the Met Office’s website states: ‘There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.’
Lightning strikes close to Portland Bill lighthouse in Dorset as the UK braced for a night of thunder and lightning
A clear bolt of lightning strikes into the ground next to Portland Bill lighthouse in Durham
Cars drive through flooded roads under a bridge in Lincolnshire on Sunday as a yellow weather warning remains in effect
A warning on the Met Office’s website states: ‘There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.’ Pictured: Eton Wick Road in Eton Wick Village flooded on Sunday
There were also reports on social media of flooded roads in Lincolnshire. Pictured: Flooding in Lincolnshire on Saturday
The Met Office has warned that England still has some heavy thunderstorms to come this weekend. Pictured: A van driving through a large puddle soaks members of the public sheltering under blankets during heavy rain in Greenwich on Sunday
Forecasters allege storms could lead to 20 to 30 millimetres of rainfall in one hour, causing flash flooding. Pictured: Flooding at Eton Wick Road in Eton Wick Village on Sunday
‘Byy the middle of the week, we could be in the low 20s in some places, possibly 21, but probably only 20,’ one Met Office meteorologist has predicted. Pictured: Flooding in Eton Wick Road in Eton Wick Village on Sunday
Mr Burkill said: ‘It is because of the risk of some heavy thunderstorms coming through, talk of 20 to 30 millimetres perhaps in just an hour, and for some 40 to 60 (millimetres) in two to three hours.
‘So, whilst the totals won’t be that high, we’re talking flash flooding, surface water flooding, just because of intense rates in a short period of time.’
However, people could see some sunny spells next week once the storms are out of the way.
Mr Burkill said: ‘The theme through the next few days through this week is temperatures rising.
‘So, with that in mind, by the middle of the week, we could be in the low 20s in some places, possibly 21, but probably only 20.’
He added that the only concern could be some further heavy rain on Tuesday night.
‘The only slight cause for concern is a system that comes through Tuesday night into Wednesday,’ he said.
‘That could bring some heavy rain, particularly for western parts.’
Forecasters warn there could be some further heavy rain on Tuesday night. Pictured: Dog walkers brave the rain on Wimbledon Common south-west on Sunday morning
Heavy rain for much of southern England could lead to flash flooding, leaving businesses and homes at risk of damage, forecasters have warned. Pictured: Flooding in Lincolnshire on Thursday
After a night and morning of heavy rain, the Eton Wick Road in Eton Wick Village was flooded on Sunday
Members of the public attempt to shelter during wet weather in Greenwich, South East London on Sunday
A woman cycles through Cambridge in heavy rain on Sunday, as a yellow weather warnings were in place across much of England and parts of Wales
Met Office Meteorologist Rebecca Hudson had said that the risk is mostly confined to central and southern England.
She had suggested that the yellow weather warning was in place until 5am this morning.
‘It’s almost in a sort of triangular shape. So it goes from East Yorkshire roughly down to the Cardiff area, East Devon, to London as well, and East Anglia.’
She added: ‘The heavier band moves through tomorrow morning and then weaken out into the afternoon but then there are some further heavy showers tomorrow night.
‘And then as we go in overnight, things will gradually dry out into Monday morning.
‘There will be some heavier showers overnight on Sunday into Monday, but these will gradually weaken and then Monday will be a lot drier with some sunny spells around as well.’
‘There will be some heavier showers overnight on Sunday into Monday, but these will gradually weaken and then Monday will be a lot drier with some sunny spells around as well,’ one forecaster said. Pictured: Flooding in Eton Wick Village on Sunday
A person cycles during heavy rain in Greenwich, South East London on Sunday as a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is in place
A woman shelters under an umbrella as heavy rain falls in Cambridge on Sunday
After a night and morning of heavy rain, the Eton Wick Road in Eton Wick Village was flooded on Sunday. A hose pipe ban remains in force in the Thames Valley following the drought this summer
A man cycles through Cambridge in heavy rain on Sunday, as a yellow weather warning is in place across much of England and parts of Wales
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