Flooding Disrupts Rail Services and Closes Motorway as Heavy Rain Continues

Strategic Insights -

Floodwaters swept away cars in just 30cm (12in) of water, prompting the Environment Agency to issue over 180 flood warnings and alerts in England. The disruption caused rail services in England and Wales to be disrupted on Thursday morning, with the M5 motorway in Gloucestershire being closed in both directions. The Met Office has a yellow warning in force for heavy rain, affecting the southern half of England and Wales, with the Midlands worst affected.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Environment Agency issued 66 flood warnings and 121 flood alerts in England, warning drivers not to drive through submerged patches of road due to the risk of their cars being swept away in as little as 30cm of water.
  • Caroline Douglass, the EA's executive director for flood and coastal erosion, advised motorists to avoid driving through flood water, as it can float vehicles and cause them to be swept away.
  • The agency is particularly concerned about flooding in the Midlands, where heavy thunderstorms and downpours have saturated the area, and traditional winter rainfall is expected to exacerbate the situation over the weekend.
  • National Rail warned passengers that the wet weather could affect train journeys in England and Wales on Friday, with no trains running to and from Aberystwyth until 1pm and the line between Ledbury and Hereford blocked.
  • Avon fire and rescue service, along with National Highways: South-West, worked together to rescue people stranded on the M5 in Gloucestershire after heavy rainfall flooded the motorway.

Statistics:

  • 66 flood warnings issued by the Environment Agency in England.
  • 121 flood alerts issued by the Environment Agency in England.
  • 30cm (12in) of water required to float and sweep away a car, according to the Environment Agency.
  • Over 180 flood warnings and alerts issued in England in total.
  • 14-15 hour span of no trains running to and from Aberystwyth.
  • Line between Ledbury and Hereford blocked on Friday morning.

Sources:

  • The Environment Agency (EA)
  • BBC Radio 4's Today programme
  • Met Office
  • National Rail
  • Avon fire and rescue service
  • National Highways: South-West
  • Tewkesbury borough council