Storm Bram batters Britain with 90mph winds and heavy rain as Met Office ‘danger to life’ warning launched

THE Met Office has issued danger to life warnings as Storm Bram batters the UK.

Parts of the country will experience 90mph winds with rain amounting to more than half the average monthly rainfall in December expected to come bucketing down.

The weather will spark disruption across parts of the island today with strong winds slowing transport and delaying travel.

Amber weather warnings have been put in place in parts of the south west and north west of the country.

Meanwhile, yellow weather warnings blanket most of Scotland and the western shore of Britain.

People in the soouthwest have been instructed to brace for flooding this morning as heavy rain lashes down across the region.

The rainfall and strong southerly winds are set to wreak havoc on the south west’s transport with delays expected.

Devon, Cornwall and South Wales are likely to experience up to four inches of rain today.

Drivers have been urged to prepare a flood kit for travelling and have been instructed to park their cars away from trees or buildings amid the strong winds.

Homeowners have also been asked to secure loose items and doors to prevent the winds ripping them up and sending them flying.

A combined total of 172 flood alerts and 20 warnings are active today across England and Wales.

Storm Bram is expected to have the most impact in Ireland where some parents have been warned that schools will close today.

In Scotland, danger-to-life warnings have been issued for parts of the northwest which are set to experience gusts of up to 90mph.

Between 4pm on Tuesday and just before midnight, gale force winds will batter the western highlands.

A total of 11 Welsh towns have been warned to expect flooding in homes and businesses.

Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and Torfaen have all been warned to expect flooding.

The Met Office has issued advice to the public for staying safe during the storm.

People have been instructed to secure loose items and securely fasten doors and windows.

Drivers are instructed to park vehicles in garages where possible and keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences.

Anyone planning to travel in their car today is asked by the Met Office to prepare a flood kit with warm clothing, food, water, a phone charger, torch and blanket in the car for their journeys.

A yellow warning for rain has also been issued for a slightly larger area spreading east as far as Hampshire and Oxfordshire until 6pm today.

The amber warning is in place for northwest Scotland from 4pm tomorrow until midnight.

Cornwall and Devon have had an amber warning for rain from midnight until 10am with flooding and travel disruption expected.

Meanwhile, a similar amber warning has been put in place over Merthyr Tydfil in Wales.

Yellow weather warnings for rain and wind were issued for the entire western coast of Britain, coming into effect from 10pm yesterday and lasting until 4pm today.

Met Office Chief Forecaster, Dan Suri, said: “Storm Bram will bring a very wet and windy spell of weather, with very strong winds and further heavy rain which falling over saturated ground, could cause flooding impacts.

“Within the Amber wind warning over northwest Scotland, gusts of up to 9 mph could be recorded.

“More widely, gusts of 50-60mph, and perhaps 70mph in a few spots, are expected across Wales, southwest England and Northern Ireland. 

“Rain is an additional impact from Storm Bram, with the possibility of 100mm over higher ground in the south of Wales and parts of Devon.

“This could require updates to warnings, so it’s important to stay up to date with the forecast in your area, as well as any flood warnings from your local environment agency.”