Storm Babet is expected to lash the North East with "heavy rain" throughout Friday and the weekend.

On Friday (October 20) there is an amber warning of rain which will be persistent throughout the day.

The Met Office predicts it will increase the likelihood of "flooding and disruption".

The Northern Echo: Weather warnings

Storm Babet, the second named storm of the season, is expected to last well into Saturday.

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Amber warnings of heavy rain and yellow warnings of wind will still be in place on Saturday (October 21).

A Met Office spokesperson said: "Persistent heavy rain brings the likelihood of some flooding and disruption.

"Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.

"Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing danger to life.

"A possibility that some communities will be cut off by flooded roads.

"A possibility that some communities will be cut off by flooded roads.

"Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

"Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses possible."

Throughout the four-day storm there is also a yellow wind warning for large swathes of the North East.

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The Met Office warns that strong easterly winds will continue to affect coastal parts of eastern Scotland and England through Friday and Saturday.

What to expect

  • It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves
  • Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely
  • Probably some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer

 

Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Persistent and heavy rain brought by a combination of Storm Babet and following weather systems means significant inland flooding is likely across parts of the North East and Yorkshire from Thursday through to Saturday, while, at the same time, flooding is also possible across other parts of the North, East Anglia and the South East.

"Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground, undertaking preparatory operational activity to minimise the impacts of flooding where possible. We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car. 

"People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation at https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding and follow @EnvAgency on X, formerly known as Twitter, for the latest flood updates."