Storm Debi LIVE: Met Office issues more ‘danger to life’ weather warnings as the UK braces for 80mph winds and heavy rain
Hundreds of homes in Bristol and Cardiff are blacked out amid power cuts
Flooded roads, fallen trees and power cuts brought Storm Debi chaos this
morning.
Nearly 250 homes were blacked out in Bristol and almost 230 in Cardiff, with
another 140 losing their electricity in Ross-on-Wye as the gales arrived.
Police in Wiltshire warned that roads passing through wooded areas are like
skidpans.
‘The heavy rain is mixing with the autumn leaves and forming a slush which
makes it very difficult for tyres to get a grip.
‘If you drive too fast you could easily slide out of control and crash,’ they
said.
Latest heavy rain warnings from the Met Office
Storm Debi UK weather tracker and map shows where Brits will be hit – check your area
Motorists urged to 'take care before you travel'
Jonathan Vautrey, meteorologist for the Met Office, urged people to ‘take care before you travel’ as morning rush hour is expected to be affected.
He said: ‘There will be some heavy rainfall, the potential for flying debris, the potential for disruption to travel and infrastructure in places.’
Yellow warnings issued by Met Office
Parts of UK could be battered by 80mph winds
Weather warnings have been issued for large parts of the UK, as the storm is forecast to sweep across Ireland before reaching northern England and parts of Wales on Monday, with the potential for 80mph gusts in some areas.
A yellow warning for wind, the lowest level of alert, will be in place from 4am until 6pm for areas including Bangor and St Davids in Wales and Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool in England.
Aberdeenshire in Scotland will have a yellow warning for rain from 10am until 9pm.
Parts of north-east Scotland likely to see heavy rain were also battered by Storm Babet last month, including Brechin in Angus, where hundreds of homes had to be evacuated after the river South Esk breached its banks.
Storm Debi developed 'rapidly' overnight
Chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: ‘Storm Debi has developed rapidly overnight and will bring impacts across parts of the UK today.
‘Because of the particular risk of impacts to parts of County Armagh and County Down this morning and parts of northwest England through much of the day we have issued two amber wind warnings.’
Warnings of power cuts and transport chaos as forecasters say keep away from waterfront
The Met Office also warned that roads and bridges are likely to close, meaning longer journey times and public transport and other cancellations are possible, with road, rail, air and ferry services to be affected.
People are also warned that cuts to power, mobile phone reception, and more may occur as the storm batters power and telecommunication lines.
Those in coastal areas are warned to keep away from the waterfront, with large waves and beach material likely to be thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts, and nearby properties.
Amber warning for north-west England as Storm Debi brings severe winds and heavy rain
An amber weather warning has been issued for parts of north-west England as Storm Debi hits the UK, bringing heavy rain and severe gale-force winds.
The alert is active from 10am until 4pm on Monday and covers coastal areas north of Liverpool up to Whitehaven.
The Met Office has warned Brits living in those areas should be wary of solid and disruptive winds with the possibility of flying debris.
Damage to buildings and structures is likely, and heavy items such as tiles blown from roofs may present a potential danger to life.
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