Residents in 15 regions of the UK are advised to prepare an “emergency” kit as the Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings. Significant warnings for snow and ice are currently active in various parts of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, with additional alerts now issued for rain.
The initial yellow rain warning applies to Northern Ireland and will take effect at 9 pm today, lasting until the same time tomorrow. Areas at risk of flooding and power outages include County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry, and County Tyrone, with anticipated rainfall amounts of up to 30mm widely and 60mm in elevated areas. The Met Office highlights a potential increase in flooding risks due to snow melting.
Another rain warning has been issued for southern Scotland, encompassing Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, and South Lanarkshire, from 2 am tomorrow until midnight, with the possibility of 90mm of rainfall, potentially leading to isolated communities being cut off by floods.
A third yellow rain warning covers northern Scotland, affecting Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Highland, Argyll and Bute, and West Dunbartonshire. This warning is set to start at 2 am tomorrow and continue until 10 am on Monday, with expected rainfall of 60mm across the region and 110mm in specific areas, posing additional flooding risks from melting snow.
Residents are advised to create a “flood plan” and assemble an “emergency flood kit” in response to all three warnings. Further recommendations include checking and adjusting travel plans, as well as preparing for power cuts by gathering essential items like torches, batteries, and mobile phone chargers.
SEPA Flood Duty Manager, David Morgan, emphasized the escalating flood risk due to snow thawing following recent cold weather conditions, potentially resulting in flooding of low-lying areas, roads, and properties.