Heavy Rain & Flooding - Travel Information

Although there is some light at the end of the tunnel as the heavy rain starts to ease away to the south over the next 24 hours, there is still further rain to come, and even once it's stopped the flood waters are going to take some time to subside - perhaps even continuing to get worse before getting better. If you need to travel it's important to take extreme care.

Drivers should heed any police advice about not driving in flood-affected areas, says the AA, as its specialist flood rescue crews report many drivers pressing on regardless of the risks to themselves and their vehicle.

So far today (as at 14:30), the AA had attended around 7,000 breakdowns nationally, including 230 flood water-related call-outs – down from around 8,300 at the same time yesterday but still 37 per cent above average.

Flood-related work is concentrated in north-east England, particularly around Scotch Corner. Breakdowns are currently coming in at around 850 every hour (peaking at more than 1,100 this morning), and the AA expects to attend around 13,000 for the day, compared to around 9,500 on an average Tuesday.

Darron Burness, the AA’s Head of Special Operations, says: “Unfortunately, some drivers are being irresponsible and continuing into flood water against advice. If you can see other cars broken down, then it’s a very clear warning not to proceed. The most common excuse we hear is that there’s no other route for them to take but not only is it foolhardy to put you and your car at risk, it also potentially ties up the emergency services unnecessarily.

"Heed any police advice about whether it’s safe to travel and accept that you may need to make alternative arrangements till conditions improve."

For wet weather and flood motoring advice please take a look at the information page on the AA website.

Latest Rainfall and Weather Information
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Local forecasts

Flooding Information
Environment Agency - England and Wales
SEPA - Scotland

Published on 25th September 2012 20:53 Updated: 25th September 2012 20:53