Britons in flood risk areas have been warned to pack a kit containing wellies as parts of the country were put on high alert for a month’s worth of rain today.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued the advice on flood kits amid fears of ‘significant impacts’ and ‘expected’ flooding in the worst-affected regions.
The Welsh government-sponsored body said people should prepare a flood kit with important documents and medication and move their car to higher ground.
The flood kit should also items such as wellington boots, bottled water, rubber gloves face masks, hand sanitiser and a torch with spare batteries, the NRW said.
The guidance is the latest common sense advice from a public body relating to the weather – after the UK Health Security Agency were branded ‘nanny state’ over the summer for issuing a two-day ‘danger to life’ health alert for a brief heatwave.
Substantial rainfall is expected across much of the UK today – with South Wales under a Met Office amber warning where up to five inches could fall throughout today.
Forecasters have issued the 24-hour alert until midnight tonight and said ‘fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, which could cause a danger to life’.
Yellow Met Office rain warnings cover other parts of Wales as well as South West and North West England until 3am tomorrow. An alert in Scotland ends at 9pm tonight.
Natural Resources Wales has issued three flood warnings where ‘flooding is expected – immediate action required’ as well as 47 alerts for people to ‘be prepared’.
The Environment Agency has posted six flood warnings and 57 alerts for England, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued seven alerts.
Forecasters predict 120mm (4.7in) of rain could fall in the highest ground of Wales’ amber warning zone, while 20mm (0.8in) to 40mm (1.6in) is expected widely and up to 80mm is likely in hilly parts.
Records show the quantity of rain forecast today has previously triggered landslides in Wales, the British Geological Survey (BGS) said.
Today could be ‘a significant event for many’ and its impact will likely be greater because the ground is already saturated, the Met Office said.
Wales has so far seen around 240mm (9.4in) of rain this month, when its November average is 162mm (6.4in), according to one of its meteorologists.
Meanwhile, England and Wales combined have had 143 per cent of the norm, he added.
Senior operational Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said: ‘All areas have seen above normal rainfall, Scotland and Northern Ireland are less of an issue of tomorrow, away from south-west of Scotland.
‘It’s mostly parts of England and Wales – many areas have already seen well-above normal rainfall and another several inches to come.
‘No warnings are expected to be issued today for beyond tomorrow – it’s partly so we don’t distract from what could be a significant event for many tomorrow and the weather generally isn’t as impactful at this stage for Tuesday and Wednesday, it’s brighter, more showery.’
The amber rain warning says ‘heavy rain is likely to bring some disruption and probable flooding on Monday’.
‘In addition to the potential for flooding impacts, this increases the chance of landslides on both natural and infrastructure slopes.
‘Strong south to south-westerly winds will also accompany the heavy rain, with gales possible around coasts and over high ground.’
Homes and businesses could be flooded, and there may also be transport cancellations and power cuts. Some communities could be cut off by flooded roads, officials said.
Richard Preece, NRW’s duty tactical manager, said: ‘We’re urging people to be vigilant and to make preparations for potential flooding.
‘Our thoughts are with those communities who have recently been impacted, and they could potentially be impacted again during this event.
‘If flooding is forecast in your area, we want to make sure people are doing all they can to keep themselves safe. Think about preparing a flood kit with any important documents and medication, moving your car to higher ground and moving treasured possessions upstairs or to a higher place.’
A BGS spokesman said: ‘Records indicate that rainfall amounts similar to those forecast for Monday have previously triggered landslides in Wales.
‘Both natural and infrastructure slopes could be affected within the warning areas, with rainfall falling on slopes that are likely to already be saturated.
‘There is potential for disruption to roads and railways within the warning areas.’
It comes after heavy rain resulted in a major incident being declared in South Wales on November 15 in Monmouth, with dozens rescued from their homes or evacuated after the River Monnow burst its banks.
