Major floods prompt evacuation and rescues in the UK

The Environment Agency in England has issued more than 250 warnings and alerts in the early hours of Tuesday, October 1, 2019, following torrential rains across parts of the United Kingdom. Major floods caused damaged roads, travel disruptions, and evacuations.

In the Isle of Man, several residents were stuck in their flood-stricken homes. Areas along the swollen Laxey River were reportedly the worst-hit places. Floods swept away vehicles and prompted road closures. Fire Rescue and Coastguard have been deployed in the affected areas.

A further breach has caused flooding further down Laxey river. pic.twitter.com/ABpftmvMfB

— TweetbeatIOM (@TweetbeatIOM) October 1, 2019

Coastguard just landing in Laxey. pic.twitter.com/W68lHqSGw0

— TweetbeatIOM (@TweetbeatIOM) October 1, 2019

Glen Road Laxey. Please avoid area. #IOMPolice pic.twitter.com/9iBoangypv

— TweetbeatIOM (@TweetbeatIOM) October 1, 2019

In England, the Environment Agency has issued a Precautionary Evacuation Notice (PEN) flood warning for the Norfolk Coast. The notice also covers coastal areas of Hunstanton, Heacham, and Snettisham. According to the agency, flood warnings were issued prior to the possible flooding from the combination of high tide and north-westerly winds up to force 6.

With high tides due tomorrow morning, we have issued a Precautionary Evacuation Notice (PEN) flood warning for #Hunstanton, #Heacham & #Snettisham⚠️

Please be #FloodAware and visit our Flood Warning homepage for the latest updates:https://t.co/MztuI4Ooz5 pic.twitter.com/7dabFe12Y5

— EnvAgencyAnglia (@EnvAgencyAnglia) September 30, 2019

Floods and severe rain caused train travel disruptions in some areas in northern England and Powys, Wales. Strong winds and waves damaged properties in St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.

High tides and heavy rain have led to coastal flood warnings and several cliff falls, while storm water washed away a line of beach huts in St Leonards yesterday.

Coastguards made fresh warnings to people to keep clear of the cliffs at Birling Gap. Picture: Cheryl Fletcher pic.twitter.com/2i27SpZb2P

— BBC South East (@bbcsoutheast) September 30, 2019

A yellow weather warning has been placed across the entire Wales, which stated "the highest rainfall accumulations are only likely to occur in a few spots where the showers become slow-moving, with 40 – 50 mm (1.6 to 2 inches) possible in only a couple of hours. Lightning and some hail may also prove additional hazards for one or two locations."

Harsh rain and flood also uprooted trees, and recent reports said that a road in Carmarthenshire has been cleared after a tree was knocked down on the A484.

In Scotland, parts of Aberdeenshire faced floods that damaged bridges and roads including King Edward and Crovie.

Homes were left damaged and cars submerged after heavy rain caused flooding in Crovie, Aberdeenshire.

Dozens of flood warnings and alerts have been issued as parts of the UK are braced for three days of heavy rain.

Read more here: https://t.co/5YjiXYeW07 pic.twitter.com/zPZ22NJdKF

— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 29, 2019

According to BBC, it will turn drier overnight but cold weather is expected in several areas.

Good morning, a band of rain will sink slowly south across northern England. To the south showers, some heavy and thundery will develop quite widely. For Scotland and Northern Ireland many places dry with sunny spells. https://t.co/Hjw1otqXUL ^Chris pic.twitter.com/cbY9FXH33b

— Met Office (@metoffice) October 1, 2019

However, rains and winds up to 96.5 km/h (60 mph) may slam the UK again by the end of the week, with the remains of Hurricane "Lorenzo" potentially hitting some parts of the British Isles.

Lorenzo was the strongest ever to make it north and east in the Atlantic with winds of 250 km/h (155 mph), but it has since weakened to 169 km/h (105 mph) as is approaches the Azores. Forecasters said the exact path remains unclear.

Featured image credit: R.O.K. Landscaping Services