[guide.chat] Weather warning
- From: "Carol O'Connor" <missbossyboots33@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "guide chat" <guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2012 19:56:09 +0100
Severe weather warning for Greater Manchester with rain forecast to last until
Sunday.
June 22, 2012
An unlucky pedestrian gets a soaking off passing traffic as huge puddles formed
on Slack Road in Blackley today resulting in spray hitting well over 10 foot
high An unlucky pedestrian gets a soaking off passing traffic as huge puddles
formed on Slack Road in Blackley today resulting in spray hitting well over 10
foot high
An unlucky pedestrian gets a soaking off passing traffic as huge puddles formed
on Slack Road in Blackley today resulting in spray hitting well over 10 foot
high 1/3 Play Slideshow
A severe weather warning has been issued for Greater Manchester with a month's
rain predicted to fall in just 24 hours.
The deluge is expected to batter the north west of England with heavy rain and
high winds lasting until Sunday, experts warn.
Forecasters at the Met Office have issued a severe weather warning for parts of
Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire, with 2in to 2.4in (50mm-60mm) of
rain expected across much of the area.
Three flood warnings are currently in place, two in Lancaster and one in High
Bentham, North Yorkshire, with 28 alerts in place across the North West.
Environment Agency spokeswoman Kate Marks said: "A month's rain is predicted to
fall in the North West in the next 24 hours.
"We would urge the public to remain vigilant and prepared for flooding,
especially as river levels can rise very quickly.
"People can check the Environment Agency website and Twitter feed for the
latest updates and flood warnings for rivers."
A number of localised flash floods have already caused problems for
householders in Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue service said firefighters had been called to
Chatburn, near Clitheroe, after four homes were flooded as a result of surface
road water, and a home in Newhall Road, Preston, was also affected.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service said 14 homes in
Beresford Street, Wigan had flooded, with water up to waist height in places.
The Olympic torch relay was also hit by the weather with organisers being
forced to cancel an outdoor event in Blackpool.
Chris Burton, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press
Association, said: "The heaviest rain has been over northern England,
particularly in Cumbria, Northern Ireland, and north-west Wales.
"Quite widely over the north west of England we've seen about 25mm-30mm
(1in-1.2in), and higher ground in Cumbria has seen in excess of 50mm (2in).
"The low pressure that is over us that is encouraging the rain is going to
linger across Scotland and rain will continue over much of Scotland and
northern England tomorrow, but central and southern areas of England and Wales
should begin to dry up overnight.
"In northern England the rain will, however, continue overnight and we could
see another 20mm (0.8in) in some places.
"Some areas in the last 24 hours have seen 60mm-70mm (2.4in-2.7in) and with the
rain continuing it's possible that we could see 100mm (4in) in some locations
by the time the wet weather moves on."
The Environment Agency said it had mobilised teams across the North West to
check and operate flood defences, clear any river blockages and closely monitor
river levels.
The public are urged to remain vigilant and check the Environment Agency
website and Twitter feed for updates and warnings, with a number of further
flood alerts and serious warnings expected.
People are being advised to stay away from swollen rivers and not drive through
floodwater.
Holidaymakers visiting caravan and camping sites across the North West are
being warned to be prepared to take action in the event of flooding and
festival-goers are being advised to take extra caution and consult with event
organisers before setting out.
Among those revellers already affected by the heavy rain were music lovers
heading for the Isle of Wight Festival taking place this weekend.
Hundreds were forced to sleep in their cars, with the resultant queues causing
ferry companies to suspend their services. About 600 people were stranded last
night on ferries on the Solent as the cars could not be disembarked because of
traffic build-up on the island.
Firefighters in North Yorkshire said they responded to more than 25 flooding
calls as a wave of heavy rain moved across the county last night.
Police in West Yorkshire were investigating whether "awful" weather conditions
were responsible for a crash on the A1 last night, in which two officers were
injured.
However, as parts of England and Wales prepare for another night of heavy rain
and high winds the Met Office said southern areas may well continue to see some
dry and bright weather on Saturday.
The rain is expected to affect outdoor events in Greater Manchester this
weekend.
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