Drivers warned over floods as UK set for 80mph winds

Motorists are being urged not to drive through floodwater amid warnings of heavy rain and 80mph winds set to batter large swathes of the UK over the coming days.

- ANGUS THOMPSON

The Environment Agency said it was carefully monitoring the progress of Storm Darragh, the fourth named storm of the season, ahead of the weekend after the Met Office issued a rare amber warning for “potentially damaging” winds.

Katharine Smith, flood duty manager from the agency, said heavy rain was expected to move “rapidly” across the north and west of England yesterday evening, adding minor surface-water flooding was “probable” across parts of northwest England, while minor river flooding was possible more widely across the country.

“Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and will support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. We urge people not to drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks, and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car,” Ms Smith said.