Heavy Rain Floods Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, and London, with More Warnings Ahead

Flooding has wreaked havoc across central and southern England, leading to widespread travel chaos, school closures, and submerged homes after more than a month’s worth of rain fell within just 24 hours.

The London Fire Brigade reported receiving hundreds of calls for assistance related to the flooding, including multiple rescues of people trapped in cars and homes. Additionally, a massive sinkhole opened up on the pitch of AFC Wimbledon’s stadium, resulting in the postponement of upcoming football matches.

Following a weekend of thunderstorms and relentless downpours, the Met Office issued an amber weather alert for rain until 9pm on Monday, affecting areas such as Milton Keynes, Oxford, Reading, Bath, and Gloucester, where significant flooding and travel disruptions were anticipated.

A larger portion of England, including south-east Wales, was placed under a yellow warning for heavy rain, with forecasts predicting 60mm to 80mm of rainfall in many places, and up to 120mm in some areas. Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders explained that the level of disruption depends on whether the weather system responsible for the rain stalls or pivots.

Some areas were hit with an entire month’s worth of rain by early Monday morning. Woburn in Bedfordshire recorded 116mm of rainfall by 5am, with other regions nearing 100mm.

Widespread Flooding Across Bedfordshire and London

The Environment Agency issued 22 flood warnings and 86 flood alerts, focusing primarily on central and southern England. The worst-affected locations included Atherstone in Warwickshire, Leighton Buzzard, Luton in Bedfordshire, and parts of London such as Wimbledon and South Ruislip.

In Bedfordshire, numerous schools were forced to close on Monday due to flooded roads and waterlogged buildings. Meanwhile, several London Overground and Tube services were suspended as parts of the TfL network grappled with waterlogged tracks and stations.

The London Fire Brigade reported receiving approximately 350 flood-related emergency calls. Firefighters responded to incidents where people were trapped in cars and homes, as well as flooding in roads, underground stations, and buildings.

AFC Wimbledon Stadium Flooding

A large sinkhole appeared on the pitch at Cherry Red Records Stadium, home to AFC Wimbledon, due to the severe weather. The Carabao Cup game between AFC Wimbledon and Newcastle United, set for Tuesday night, was postponed, and the stadium is closed until further notice. A match scheduled for 1 October was also postponed.

Homes and Businesses Hit Hard

Flooding also caused extensive damage to homes and businesses across the Midlands and south-west England. Towns such as Dunstable in Bedfordshire and Hitchin in Hertfordshire were underwater on Sunday, while the village of Grendon in Northamptonshire experienced significant flooding that left homes submerged.

Resident Jon Sayles described how 60cm of floodwater entered his home, causing substantial damage. “I was in bed early when a neighbour called to alert me. I couldn’t believe the water levels,” he told PA Media. “We’ve been cleaning up all night, and I’ve had no sleep.”

Further Weather Warnings and Power Outages

The extreme weather led to power outages across parts of the Midlands and south-west England, with many homes left in the dark. Emergency crews have been working to restore power to affected areas.

The Met Office is forecasting a brief respite from the wet weather on Tuesday. However, more heavy rain is expected later in the week, and temperatures are likely to drop below average due to cold northerly winds sweeping across the UK. Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey warned that parts of Scotland would begin to feel the chill by Monday, with colder temperatures expected to spread across the country throughout the week.

As more rain and potential flooding loom, residents and commuters are urged to stay updated on weather warnings and take necessary precautions.