More than a month’s rainfall in a day as Welsh location named UK’s wettest
New records show that a staggering 43.8mm of rain poured down in just one hour in parts of south Wales, leading to flash flooding and power outages in hundreds of homes. The Met Office had issued a yellow warning for rain which resulted in the deluge, with more than a month’s worth of rain falling in the region.
- Flash flooding and power outages hit south Wales on Friday due to the heavy rain.
- The wettest area recorded more than a month’s worth of rain in just an hour.
- Residents reported water entering their homes, road closures, and flood alerts in place.
At Victoria Park in Swansea, a whopping 87.2mm of rain was recorded, with 43.8mm falling within a single hour. This total exceeded the average September rainfall for southern England and south Wales, which typically ranges from 60-90mm for the entire month. Alongside road closures and flood alerts, hundreds of homes were left without electricity, particularly in areas like Sandfields, Taibach, and Aberavon in Port Talbot.
Forecaster Derek Brockway confirmed that Victoria Park had been the wettest location in the UK, receiving 107.8mm of rain over two days. The National Grid reported power outages in Port Talbot, prompting the distribution of sandbags to concerned residents. While warnings were not in place on Saturday, more thunderstorms were forecasted for southern Wales.
- Road closures, flood alerts, and power outages impacted various areas in south Wales.
- Residents in affected regions were offered assistance, including the provision of sandbags.
- More thunderstorms were predicted for southern Wales on the following day.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris cautioned about uncertainties in the weekend forecast, citing a slow-moving area of low pressure causing localized heavy rain. He advised the public to stay updated on the latest forecasts and warnings as the situation evolved. The inclement weather led to a series of challenges in the region, underscoring the importance of preparedness and vigilance in the face of extreme weather conditions.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation unfolds.