Storm Claudia brings intense rain to England and Wales

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings across large parts of the UK as Storm Claudia delivers persistent heavy rain, strong winds and increasing flood risks. According to the Met Office, the storm will continue to bring disruptive weather from Friday evening into early Saturday, with flooding likely in several regions.

Cold Weather Alert Issued for Multiple Regions

Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick confirmed that the worst of the storm has passed, but warned that bitterly cold conditions are now moving in.

A cold weather alert has been issued from 8am Monday, November 17, until 8am Friday, November 21, covering: East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber

The Met Office also said that sleet and snow showers are possible, mainly in north-facing coasts and upland areas. Some northern regions could see temperatures drop to –1°C as icy winds sweep across the country.

Heavy Rain and Worsening Flood Conditions

Heavy rainfall is set to continue into the early hours, bringing:

10–20mm of rain widely

40mm or more in higher ground such as the Mourne Mountains

There are currently 78 flood warnings and 180 flood alerts across the UK, highlighting the growing danger as rivers rise and already-saturated ground struggles to cope.

Roads Turn Into ‘Rivers’ as Emergency Services Respond

Roads in many regions have become “like rivers”, leaving emergency services stretched as they deal with:

Flooded roads, Stranded motorists, Poor visibility, Dangerous travel conditions. On Friday evening, fire crews and police rescued multiple people trapped in submerged vehicles.

In Northfield, Birmingham, a man climbed onto the roof of his van after the River Rea burst its banks. West Midlands Fire Service rescued him around 5pm, after floodwaters surged around his vehicle.

Across the West Midlands and Black Country, streets have flooded rapidly. Residents reported drains “gushing like fountains” as water levels rose at alarming speed.

Accidents and Falling Trees Add to Chaos

Paramedics responded to a head-on collision in Walsall just after 6pm on Friday, with soaked roads and poor visibility creating treacherous conditions.

Drivers are being urged to avoid non-essential travel.

Strong easterly winds, falling trees and road blockages have caused further disruption. Emergency crews worked late into the night to clear debris.

Wales and Scotland Also Hit by Severe Weather

Sally Davies, duty tactical manager at Natural Resources Wales, warned that rainfall from the Spanish-named storm will be “extremely heavy in parts of South East Wales and Powys.”

She cautioned that already swollen rivers may rise rapidly with little warning.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, the storm’s rain combined with falling temperatures to produce the first snow of the season. Northern areas saw an unexpected early-morning snow flurry, despite not being under official weather warnings.