Floods caused by two months of rain in a day and melting snow could pose ‘danger to life’

Floods caused by two months’ of rain in a day and melting snow could pose a ‘danger to life’, the Met Office has warned.

England and Wales are on alert for disruption caused by up to 127mm (5in) of rain falling on already-saturated ground.

With milder temperatures likely to cause last week’s remaining snow to melt, it is feared that some roads will be closed and communities cut off.

Floods caused by two months’ of rain in a day and melting snow could pose a ‘danger to life’, the Met Office has warned

An amber warning for heavy rain was imposed on Sunday for an area covering Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield until Wednesday night

With milder temperatures likely to cause last week’s remaining snow to melt, it is feared that some roads will be closed and communities cut off

The floods around St Ives, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday morning after the River Great Ouse burst its banks after the recent heavy rain and snow

Until now, Britain has been spared the widespread flooding seen in November 2019 when as many as 8,000 homes were inundated

People walk a dog in Roundhay Park, Leeds, Yorkshire, on Sunday. A covering of snow still to thaw could cause severe problems with huge rainfall this week

Aerial pictures of Cambridgeshire this morning show the aftermath of the River Great Ouse overflowing following the recent heavy rain and snow – with more miserable weather predicted for next week

The Met Office has warned of significant flooding in many areas this week as heavy rainfall combines with melting snow

Until now, Britain has been spared the widespread flooding seen in November 2019 when as many as 8,000 homes were inundated. 

But a repeat at a time when emergency services are stretched to the limit by the pandemic could prove disastrous, it is feared.

Worst affected is expected to be the Peak District, where 120mm (4.7in) of rain is forecast from tonight to Wednesday morning. 

A covering of snow still to thaw could equate to an extra 5-10mm of rain cascading into rivers and streams. 

William Mahaffey enters the water as he takes part in cold water training with Kevin O’Neill from Breatheolution at Combs reservoir while training for a cross channel swim to raise money for mental health charity the Anthony Seddon Fund on January 17

This cyclist carefully makes his way across a road in Hampstead, north London in chilly conditions

That could bring the risk of catastrophic flooding downstream in built-up areas such as Sheffield, which faces 100mm (4in) of rainfall in 36 hours – twice the city’s January average.

An amber warning for heavy rain was imposed yesterday for an area covering Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield from tomorrow morning to Wednesday night. 

It warns of ‘fast flowing or deep floodwater’ causing a ‘danger to life’.

Worst affected is expected to be the Peak District, where 120mm (4.7in) of rain is forecast from tonight to Wednesday morning

There is also a threat of delays or cancellations to public transport, ‘difficult driving conditions’, and a ‘good chance’ some communities will be cut off by flooded roads.

Less severe yellow warnings for ‘prolonged and heavy rain’ leading to a risk of flooding and disrupted travel come into force tomorrow covering the whole of Wales, Northern England and parts of the Midlands, extending to the rest of the country on Wednesday.

Last night Katharine Smith of the Environment Agency said its teams were ‘out on the ground clearing grills… and erecting temporary barriers where needed’