Storm Chandra latest: January rain records set as UK hit by power cuts, travel chaos and ‘horrendous’ flooding
Around 400 schools are closed across the UK while the Severn Bridge between England and Wales has also been shut to traffic
The Met Office have announced that Storm Chandra has caused several sites across the UK to set new January daily rainfall records.
This includes Katesbridge in Northern Ireland which has seen 100.8mm of rain.
Dozens of flights have been cancelled across Scotland and Northern Ireland due to strong winds and heavy rainfall, while “horrendous” flooding has trapped vehicles and caused travel disruption.
Domestic flights have been cancelled on several routes, including some serving Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as Belfast.
It comes after dozens of people had to be rescued by firefighters from their vehicles in Devon due to severe flooding.
Two ice warnings have been issued across large parts of the UK on Wednesday in the aftermath of Storm Chandra.
The Met Office has warned that patchy ice is likely to form across parts of Northern Ireland, England and Wales with temperatures set to fall below freezing on Tuesday night.
Two severe flood warnings - meaning there could be a danger to life - has been issued for the River Otter in Devon, and Upper Frome in Dorchester, while another 100 warnings are in place.
Almost 350 schools are closed today in Northern Ireland due to “severe weather”, with 47 closed in Devon.
Belfast university closes due to weather conditions
Queen's University Belfast has closed its campus today due to the amber weather warning.
In a post on social media, the university said that safety and wellbeing of students was the “top priority” and that teaching had been moved online.
Student support services remain available remotely while the McClay Library is due to reopen at 9pm this evening.
Woman hospitalised after tree falls on car in Co Fermanagh
A woman has been taken to hospital after a tree fell on a car in the Snowhill Road area, Lisbellaw.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call shortly after 8am on Tuesday, following reports of an RTC.
The PSNI have said her injuries are not believed to be serious. A spokesperson added: "NIAS tasked one Emergency Ambulance to the scene.
"Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, 1 person was taken to South West Acute Hospital, by Ambulance."
The PSNI said the Snowhill Road in Enniskillen is blocked by fallen trees.
A spokesperson said: "A woman was taken to hospital after a tree fell on a car on Snowhill Road, Lisbellaw at around 8.30am this morning.
"At this time her injuries are not believed to be serious. The Snowhill Road remains blocked by fallen trees and should be avoided by motorists at present."
Drivers urged to carry floodkits due to heavy rain
The Met Office have warned drivers and residents in affected areas to prepare a floodkit, to help in the event that their home, business or car becomes damaged.
It is not safe to drive or walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep water call 999 and wait for help.
Preparing a floodkit should include:
- Insurance documents and list of contact numbers
- Torch & spare batteries
- First aid kit and any prescription medicines
- Warm waterproof clothes and blankets
- Bottled water and snacks
- Battery or wind-up radio
- Supplies for looking after your baby or pet
Heavy rain and floods batter Ireland as tens of thousands remain without power
Hundreds of schools are closed and tens of thousands of people are without power as Storm Chandra batters the island of Ireland.
There is also travel disruption caused by the strong winds and torrential rain.
In Northern Ireland more than 300 schools have been closed and there is a yellow rainfall alert currently in place for counties Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone.
There is an amber warning for wind until 9pm and the yellow rain warning is in effect until midnight.
At least 30 flights at Belfast City Airport were cancelled on Tuesday.
Translink has warned that passengers should allow for delays and possible disruption to their journey.
The public have been warned of danger to life from flying debris, large waves at coasts, travel disruption, buildings damage, flooding, fallen trees, and possible power cuts.
Second danger to life flood warning issued
A second severe flood warning has been issued by the Environment Agency for the Upper Frome at Dorchester.
Flood water is expected to be deep and fast flowing and will affect low lying lands and roads.
There are currently 111 flood warnings in place and another 238 alerts across England.
Watch: Otterton Mill devastated by Storm Chandra flooding
Flood warnings in place across Scotland
A Met Office yellow warning for rain and snow came into force at midnight and affects parts of the south, including Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, and the Borders. It remains in place until 5pm.
Another for much of northern Scotland came into force at 6am and ends at 11.59pm, while a warning for wind affects parts of the Hebrides and Dumfries and Galloway until 11.59pm.
The Met Office said winds could reach up to 60mph, and rainfall is expected to reach up to 50mm in the worst affected areas.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has two flood warnings in place for Aberbothrie and the River Isla at Coupar Angus in Perth and Kinross.
It also has eight less severe flood alerts in place for Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen, Ayrshire and Arran, Central Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee and Angus, the Scottish Borders, Tayside, and west central Scotland.
Storm Chandra sets new January daily rainfall records in several places
The Met Office have announced that several sites have provisionally set new January daily rainfall records due to Storm Chandra.
Plymouth (Mountbatten) has set a new record despite over 100 years of observations, while Katesbridge has provisionally recorded its wettest day on record with 100.8mm of rain.
In pictures: Severe flooding across the UK and Ireland
What rights do you have to compensation for cancelled or delayed flights?
As passengers face delayed or cancelled flights on Tuesday due to Storm Chandra, The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder takes a look at what rights you have to compensation.
You can read his analysis below:
Can you get a refund for cancelled or delayed flights? Your rights explained
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