The Met Office has issued a 21-hour new weather warning for rain-battered parts of Wales. Some areas are still recovering from flash floods after a month’s worth of rain fell in just a few hours on Friday. The normal average for rainfall in Wales in September is around 60-90mm, but on Friday in Swansea, 87.2mm was recorded, with 43.8mm falling in just one hour.
More rain is expected, with a new yellow warning for rain in place from 9pm on Saturday to 6pm on Sunday. The Met Office warns of heavy and at times thundery rain spreading north across England and Wales. Rainfall amounts will vary, with some areas seeing less than 10mm, while others could see 40-60mm. In some spots, 80-100mm of rain could fall, particularly in the southern half of the warning area.
Natural Resources Wales had a flood warning and two alerts in place on Saturday morning, although they were later downgraded. The warning area covers various regions including Blaenau Gwent, Cardiff, Swansea, and the Vale of Glamorgan. Firefighters were busy on Friday night with multiple calls, and some areas experienced power outages and homes being flooded.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris highlighted the complexity of the forecast due to multiple corridors of heavy rain revolving around a slow-moving area of low pressure. As a result, warnings are subject to change, and people are advised to stay updated on the latest forecasts and warnings.
The floods have caused major disruption, with roads closed, properties inundated with water, and hundreds left without power. Areas like Cardiff, Port Talbot, and Swansea were particularly affected. Sandbags were distributed in some areas, and residents reported water entering their homes. The National Grid confirmed power outages in certain regions.
The situation is being closely monitored, and further warnings may be issued as the weather pattern evolves. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and follow safety advice during this period of unpredictable weather.