STORM Babet is set to wreak more havoc today after the floods left one dead and the country soaked in rain.
Brits are now being warned that the “worst impacts are yet to come” with officials urging people to take care amid the downpours.
UKNIPSevere flooding in London has caused dangerous driving conditions with one motor flipping over[/caption]
NB PRESS LTDSome partygoers in Leeds braved the storm in the early hours of the morning[/caption]
LNPTraffic ploughs through flood water at Brent Cross in north London today[/caption]
The Shoalstone Seawater Pool in Brixham, Devon, was badly damaged by Storm Babet
Yesterday, cops confirmed the body of a woman, 57, had been recovered from a river in Angus – where a red weather alert is in place.
The woman tragically died after heavy rains and winds swept her away as the storm raged on.
While urging people to stay at home and avoid travel, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison said: “Storm Babet is still in its early stages and the worst impacts are yet to come.”
The Met Office has issued a slew of weather warnings, including alerts about potentially life threatening amounts of rain and high winds that could cause power outages.
The woman’s tragic death came as the town of Brechin, in Aberdeenshire was ordered to evacuate as the wild weather wreaked havoc.
More than 350 properties were told they had 24 hours to get out amid “exceptional” rainfall.
Rescue teams have been knocking on doors and urging people to evacuate since yesterday afternoon, as the Met Office issued a “risk to life” red weather warning.
Angus Council also warned residents they must evacuate if they’re asked to – as peak flood waters are expected to hit at 1am and 8am today.
Footage filmed in Brechin appears to show the river has spilled over defences overnight and is now causing major flooding with a street totally submerged.
The council said a further 87 homes in Tannadice and Finavon would be asked to evacuate due to risk of severe flooding.
The rare red alert in Scotland for wind and rain covers an area from southern Aberdeenshire and Angus to the outskirts of Dundee and Perth.
Some locations are likely to see between 20-25cm (8 to 10 inches) of rainfall.
Extensive flooding, road closures, loss of power and collapsing buildings should all be expected by communities in the area, warns the forecaster.
The warning continues to be in place till noon today.
And the wet weather shows no sign of abating with downpours set to move south on Friday and into the weekend.
Ms Robison said: “Protecting the public is our immediate priority and we are co-ordinating a national effort to ensure that people are safe.
“The red warning has been expanded to cover further parts of Scotland and we expect weather conditions to deteriorate seriously overnight.
“Our message is clear – if you live in the areas covered by the red warning, please stay at home and do not travel, unless advised to relocate to a rest centre.
“With weather warnings in place for much of the country, I would urge everyone to be vigilant and to exercise extreme caution. No matter where you live, please make sure you stay up to date with conditions affecting your area.”
Meanwhile, a yellow weather warning for rain came into effect across southeastern parts of England at 10pm yesterday as heavy showers began spreading down south.
The warning continues to remain in place until 9am today.
In Ireland, the army was deployed after Cork County Council said more than a month’s worth of rain fell in 24 hours, leading to unprecedented flooding.
NB PRESS LTDRevellers in Leeds shelter from the winds and rain in the early morning[/caption]
George Cracknell WrightWet and windy conditions have marked the start of the day in London[/caption]
Stephen Huntley/HVCHeavy rain yesterday caused flooding in Essex with one van driver submerged[/caption]
Wild weather battered South Shields pier, Tyne & Wear yesterday Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
