UK’s wet weather prompts flood alerts, after snow hit some areas

The weekend brought heavy downpours and even snow in some parts of Britain

16:17 05 November 2012

Many areas of the UK were affected this weekend by heavy rainfall and even snow in some parts of the country. Around 80 flood alerts are being issued across England and Wales at the start of the week, and authorities are warning of wet and icy conditions following the weekend’s weather.

 

The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for England and Wales after around 17 alerts were issued over the weekend for places such as Devon, Dorset, and Somerset, who received torrential rain. On Saturday, Bournemouth, in Dorset, received almost a third of its estimated monthly rainfall for November, as 30mm fell in just 24hours.

 

The Environment Agency flood risk manager Craig Woolhouse, told The Telegraph: “Only last week the organisation warned that flooding could be more likely this winter as a result of heavy rainfall during the summer and higher than normal rivers and groundwater levels.”

 

The flood warnings come after three inches of snow fell on Sunday – as reported by the BBC – on some parts of the country, including areas of Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

 

As brighter weather is causing the snow to melt, there are fears that the British weather will cause more disruption.

 

It is understood that much road travel was affected the last few days because of the weather, with some roads being closed for safety reasons.

 

Based on reports, the A357 in Somerset was shut due to officials fearing the collapse of a bridge wall.

 

And many people in the UK experienced icy weather on Monday morning, with the Met Office warning drivers of this.