Devon residents are bracing for a severe flood warning as Storm Chandra brings heavy rain and strong winds to the UK. The Environment Agency has issued a red flood warning, indicating a danger to life, for a river in southwest England. This means that severe flooding is expected on Tuesday morning in Ottery St Mary, which sits on the River Otter. Flood waters are anticipated to be deep and fast-flowing. Emergency services and local authorities are working with the Environment Agency to prepare for the potential impact. The Environment Agency has advised people in threatened areas to move family, pets, and cars if possible, and to turn off gas, electricity, and water. As of Tuesday morning, there were nearly 100 flood warnings and nearly 200 alerts in place across England, with 17 flood alerts in Wales. The storm is causing travel disruptions, with the M48 Severn Crossing closed due to strong winds and high-sided vehicles banned from the Humber Bridge. Road closures are also occurring in Dorset, Somerset, and east Devon due to flooding. Gwent police reported flooding on the A40 between Abergavenny and Raglan in southeast Wales. National Highways has closed the A66 between the A67 near Bowes in County Durham and the A685 near Brough in Cumbria due to snow. Rail operators are advising people to check their planned routes before setting out, as poor weather may affect services in southwest England until the end of the day. An amber weather warning for rain is in place for parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset, with 30-50mm rainfall expected. A second amber warning is in force for wind in parts of Northern Ireland, where severe gales could bring down trees and cause dangerous coastal conditions. The Met Office predicts that winds will come from an unusual southeasterly or easterly direction, affecting typically sheltered areas. Snow could fall on higher ground in parts of the northern UK, leading to blizzard-like conditions in some places. Parts of southwest England are still recovering from the impact of Storms Goretti and Ingrid earlier this month, which caused widespread disruption and damage.
