Merseyside is currently under dual yellow weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds issued by the Met Office, leading to multiple flood alerts and significant travel disruption across the region. The Environment Agency has issued warnings for several areas, with some roads already closed due to flooding.
The adverse weather conditions are expected to persist into the early hours of Sunday morning. Officials are urging residents to take precautions, avoid swollen rivers, and not attempt to drive through floodwater.
Key Takeaways
- The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for Merseyside: one for rain until 3 am Sunday and one for wind until 4 am Sunday.
- The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Wirral catchment and a more severe flood warning for areas near Tuebrook.
- Localised flooding has already been reported in Stockbridge Village and St. Helens, causing road closures and bus diversions.
- Officials advise residents to check their flood risk, prepare a flood plan, and avoid travelling through flooded areas.
Dual Weather Warnings in Effect
The Met Office has placed Merseyside under two separate yellow weather warnings as a band of severe weather moves across the region. The first warning, for heavy rain, remains in effect until 3 am on Sunday, September 21. Forecasters have cautioned that the downpour could lead to flooding and disruptions to transport networks.
A second yellow warning for strong winds was also issued, which began at 3 pm on Saturday and is set to last until 4 am on Sunday. This warning highlights the potential for a period of very strong winds affecting parts of England and Wales.
Potential Impacts of Strong Winds
According to the Met Office, the strong winds bring several risks to the region. These include:
- Possible delays and cancellations for road, rail, air, and ferry services.
- A slight chance of damage to buildings, such as tiles being blown from roofs.
- The potential for temporary closures of some roads and bridges.
- A small risk of injuries resulting from flying debris.
- A chance of power cuts, which could also affect other services like mobile phone coverage.
In Liverpool, wind gusts were forecast to peak at 29mph around 9 pm on Saturday evening. Temperatures are expected to stay between 9-11C, though the wind will make it feel colder.
Widespread Flood Alerts and Warnings
In response to the heavy rainfall, the Environment Agency has issued several flood alerts and a more serious flood warning for parts of Merseyside. Residents in the affected areas are being told to "be prepared" as river levels are expected to rise.
Understanding Flood Alerts and Warnings
A flood alert means flooding is possible and residents should be prepared. A flood warning is more serious, indicating that flooding is expected and immediate action is required to protect property and family.
Wirral Catchment on Alert
A flood alert is active for the Wirral catchment, which includes Heswall, Ellesmere Port, Bebington, Hoylake, and Wallasey. The specific watercourses of concern are the Rivers Fender and Birkett, as well as the Rivacre, Dibbinsdale, and Arrowe Brooks and their tributaries.
Other locations that could be affected by rising water levels in this catchment area include Birkenhead, Bootle, Litherland, and Crosby. The government's flood information service has advised that forecast rainfall could push river levels to flood thresholds overnight.
Flood Warning Issued for Tuebrook
A more severe flood warning has been issued for locations near Tuebrook. This indicates that flooding is forecast and expected to affect low-lying land and roads. The specific areas highlighted include Tuebrook at Clubmoor, and streets around Lindsay Road, Abingdon Road, Daneville Road, and Frampton Road. Rising river levels are the primary cause for concern in this area.
Travel Disruption and Local Incidents
The severe weather has already caused tangible disruption across the region. Several areas have reported localised flooding, leading to road closures and diversions for public transport.
In Stockbridge Village, flooding on Waterpark Drive forced the Arriva 352 bus service to be diverted. The company announced that the service would use St. James Road in both directions until the road is cleared.
Meanwhile, in St. Helens, Peasley Cross Lane northbound was closed due to flooding between Mcmanus Drive and St Helens Retail Park. According to traffic monitoring service INRIX, this is the second time this week the road has been forced to close due to heavy rain, with a previous closure on Wednesday, September 17.
Official Safety Advice for Residents
Officials from the Environment Agency are actively monitoring the situation and have issued clear guidance for the public to ensure safety during the severe weather event.
"Widespread rainfall with isolated heavy bursts could lead to some significant river flooding across parts of the Northwest and some significant surface water flooding and minor river flooding across parts of the North of England and the Midlands from Saturday into Sunday morning," said Stefan Laeger, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency.
Mr. Laeger confirmed that agency teams were on the ground to reduce the impact of flooding and support local authorities. He also provided critical safety advice for the public.
Just 30cm (approximately 12 inches) of flowing water is powerful enough to move a standard car. The Environment Agency strongly advises against driving through floodwater under any circumstances.
The key recommendations from the agency are:
- Stay away from swollen rivers and avoid walking along riverbanks.
- Do not drive through floodwater. Find an alternative route.
- Check your flood risk online by searching for 'check my flood risk'.
- Sign up for free flood warnings to stay informed.
- Keep up to date with the latest situation via the Environment Agency's social media channels.
For those in areas with a flood alert, the advice is to be ready to implement any personal flood plans, ensure important documents and medications are in a safe place, and move livestock or farming equipment away from areas likely to flood.