More rain hits already flooded areas in UK?

Heavy rain has swept across western parts of the UK, bringing a further risk of flooding to some areas left struggling after recent storms, BBC reports.

The rain has now moved to eastern parts of the country, which has seen heavy rain through the afternoon.

The heaviest rain has fallen in Wales, where some 22mm (0.9in) fell in the past 12 hours.

Rain warnings have subsided but falling temperatures in the evening will lead to ice across the UK, forecasters say.

The Met Office issued a yellow warning for ice across the country, valid from 18:00 GMT and 10:00 on Monday, and said people should be aware of the potential for travel disruption.

The rainy weather comes after storms hit the Midlands on Saturday evening, with buildings struck by lightning and property damaged.

There were also reports of “mini-tornadoes” in parts of Surrey and Warwickshire, with one said by an eyewitnesses to be so strong it brought down trees and even lifted cats into the air.

However, the BBC Weather Centre could not confirm whether there had been any tornadoes.

The Environment Agency currently has 11 flood warnings for southern England – the majority in western parts – indicating flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

Earlier an amber warning of rain was issued for the Somerset Levels.

It was thought the area might see further flooding after a “major incident” was declared on Friday, but the EA said it was unlikely any new properties or new communities would experience flooding.

Farmer Graham Walker said his village had been cut off for some time.

“We’ve been on an island now for just over three weeks, he said.

“We’ve got a boat provided by the council, run by the fire brigade which is an absolute godsend and that gets people out… schoolchildren can get to school, people to work but it’s getting a bit tedious now.”

Meanwhile, more than 145 flood alerts – meaning flooding is possible – have also been issued, with more than half of them in the South East of England.

The Met Office earlier had yellow warnings – the lowest of its three alert levels – in place for rain, with southern parts, including London, seeing heavy downfalls.

Northern Ireland and Scotland were also hit by high winds, with the strongest gust yet – 67mph – recorded on Sella Ness in Shetland.