September 22nd 2024.
As people strolled along the serene path at Boulters Lock, enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Maidenhead Riverside in Berkshire, they were caught off guard by the sudden change in weather. The peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by a serious amber alert for heavy rain, which had been upgraded from a simple weather warning. The Met Office had issued this warning, stating that there was a high risk of communities being cut off and some properties being at risk of flooding. It was a situation that required immediate attention and precaution.
According to the forecasters at the Met Office, some areas were expected to receive a staggering 120mm of rain on Monday alone, which was more than double the average rainfall for the entire month in Oxford. This alarming amount of rain had the potential to cause serious damage and disruption. In fact, in one specific area, the threat of flooding was imminent, and the government had urged people to take quick action. They advised individuals to move their possessions and valuables to higher ground, as well as relocating their families, pets, and cars to a safer location.
The Met Office had also released maps showing the areas that were at risk and needed to be cautious. These areas were vulnerable to lightning strikes, power outages, travel disruptions, treacherous driving conditions, road closures, and even damage to buildings. The severity of the situation was demonstrated by the possibility of entire villages being submerged in water. If anyone lived in the areas marked with an amber alert, it was crucial to have a flood plan in place as soon as possible.
The amber alert for heavy rain covered a large portion of central England for the next day, while a yellow warning was in place for the rest of the region. The map showed orange icons indicating flood alerts, and red icons representing the more serious and immediate ‘imminent’ flood warnings that were in place. The areas that fell under the amber alert for rain from 5am until 9pm the following day were: Derbyshire, Leicester, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire.
One specific area that required immediate action was the vicinity of the Grace Dieu Brook, specifically at the junction of Ashby Road and Snarrow's Road in Leicestershire. The government's flood alert service had issued a warning, stating that the water levels at the Whitwick downstream river gauge were rising due to localized thunderstorms. As a result, flooding of property was inevitable, and the areas most at risk were Whitwick and Thringstone. This was a concerning situation, and the authorities were keeping a close eye on it. They advised people to move their possessions and valuables to safety, and to also relocate their families, pets, and cars to a safer place.
Another area that needed attention was Saredon Brook at Wedges Mills, Cannock, near Wolverhampton in the West Midlands. Here, the risk of flooding was particularly high, and people were urged to take necessary precautions. As people walked through the streets of central London, they were met with deep puddles and torrential rain, a clear indication of the severity of the weather.
Amber weather warnings were rare and more serious than the regular yellow warnings that were issued. The last time central England was affected by an amber warning for storms was over a year ago, on June 12, 2023, when the West Midlands, Gloucestershire, and Buckinghamshire were among the areas advised to prepare for thunderstorms. This latest warning came after a Sunday that had already seen heavy rainfall and strong winds across the UK, as Storm Boris made its way towards the country, having already caused chaos in other parts of Europe.
In Stoke-on-Trent, a home was reportedly struck by lightning, leading to the evacuation of nearby residents and the police cordoning off part of the street. The Environment Agency had issued multiple flood warnings for various parts of England for the following day. This included an orange ‘medium’ risk, which covered a large portion of the central region and warned of the potential for both river and surface water flooding. They urged people to be cautious as blocked drains and runoff from rainfall could cause flooding of properties and roads, potentially putting lives in danger. While it was not expected, there was also a possibility of overflowing rivers causing further damage and disruption.
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