UNDER WATER
Weather forecast today: Major flooding incident with homes evacuated and more thunderstorms on way, Met Office warns
A MAJOR flooding incident has been declared and homes have been evacuated after heavy rain battered parts of the country today.
Torrential downpours brought flood chaos to some areas overnight, with Somerset one of the worst affected.
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Heavy rain saw residents in Somerset having to be evacuated from their homes after flash floods in the area caused mudslides.
The public have been urged not to attempt to drive through flood water with the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFR) called into action to help locals.
The Met Office have also issued a new yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across Northern Ireland, and southern and eastern parts of England and Scotland.
Forecasters say the warning will commence from 1pm today and will last until 8pm in the evening.
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In North Cadbury, 18 properties in the village became overwhelmed with water as homeowners fled.
Village hall chairman James Watts claimed that "the water reached 4ft (1.2m) in parts".
DSFR, who are using the village hall in North Cadbury as a base for some of its vehicles said: "A major incident has been declared regarding flooding in the Galhampton, North Cadbury, and South Cadbury Areas.
"Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue have several resources deployed to the area to deal with the situation.
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"Please avoid driving through floodwater. If you come into contact with floodwater, please take necessary steps to decontaminate yourself and clothing appropriately."
Similar soggy conditions were reported in parts of Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Essex.
Somerset councillor for Milverton, Gwil Wren, said blocked drainage caused houses and roads to flood in the thunderstorm.
"We had a heavy thunderstorm at about two o'clock and since then there has been a whole load of brown water running down off the fields," he said.
"The drainage nearby was blocked by debris overtopping creating a river down in the village. It was about 18-inches deep.
"We tried to keep the drains clear but I'm afraid around 15 houses have been fairly seriously flooded. Garden walls have been knocked over.
"It's been a pretty terrible afternoon."
Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said the risk of thunder and hail will persist through today and carry on into Thursday.
The meteorologist said: "Low pressure will gradually drift in from northern and western areas into Wednesday, which drift towards the south come Thursday.
“Showery rain comes in from the west, with a stronger wind. Inland, though, there will be some clearer skies and even some fog patches as temperatures dip down to single figures.
“It will be a cool start to the day, but for some it will be bright with some sunshine.
“The showery rain will bring cloud with it, with a little bit of wet weather is expected for Wales and the West Country.
“The sun will get to work making holes in the cloud, but it will means showers developing again. Once more they will be heavy with the risk of thunder, even with some hail mixed in.”
Weather conditions were also causing travel chaos for commuters in other parts of the country.
Some roads in Hertfordshire and Essex have become impassable for motorists and train services have been affected.
And a flood warning remained in place for several northern and western regions today.
Chilterns Railways reported cancellations and hour-long delays, while fellow operator Greater Anglia cancelled services between Cambridge and King's Lynn because of "severe weather".
In Worcestershire, a primary school was evacuated after lightning struck the building.
Michelle Teissier, landlady of the Golden Lion in Tipton St John, Devon, said the River Otter burst its banks.
She said: "It got knee-high on the road and was half-way up our kitchen door.
"All our carpets were hit and there's silt everywhere, although we managed to raise the chairs."
Another local, Hilary Penfold, said a 6ft (1.8m) high concrete wall and a brick outbuilding were demolished by water running off fields, which also jammed their car against a wall.
She said: "It was like a big tidal wave coming down. Nothing could stop it.
"I've only seen such storm damage on films. I've never seen anything like this for real, and I wouldn't want anyone to go through it."
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Alex Wren saw some children being given piggy-back rides to keep them out of the water.
"The torrential force water was the worst I've seen living here for 18 years."
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