UK weather: More rain hits already flooded areas

Parts of the village of East Lyng in Somerset were flooded on Sunday

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

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

Forecasters also issued an amber warning of rain for the Somerset Levels, warning of further flooding.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson had been due to visit but his department now says he will not be going today.

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

BBC forecasters said persistent rain had now cleared but there were bands of showery rain following behind the main rain area.

'Lightning and tornadoes'

It 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 so strong it brought down trees and even lifted cats into the air.

The Met Office had earlier issued a yellow warning for rain in south-west England until 14:00 GMT.

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has 12 flood warnings for southern England - the majority in western parts - indicating flooding is expected and immediate action is required.

Forecasters said between 10 and 20mm (0.5-1in) of rain was expected to fall on the Somerset Levels on Sunday.

It comes after a "major incident" was declared there on Friday, with the council asking the armed forces to consider helping villagers who had been cut off. A water-pumping operation is also continuing.

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

A major pumping operation is continuing in Somerset, which is expected to see further flooding

Northern England, including the North Pennines (pictured), and Scotland are seeing more wintry weather

Groundsmen tend to the pitch at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground ahead of their FA cup tie with Fulham

Lightning struck several buildings in the Midlands on Saturday

ive properties were damaged in Warwickshire as a "mini tornado" ripped through part of the area

Procession cancelled

In other developments:

• Two walkers in Snowdonia suffered burns to their feet after a lightning strike which left them unable to walk
• A "mini-tornado" in Chobham, Surrey, was so powerful it lifted feral cats into the air like "paper bags", one eyewitness said
• Some families sheltered at a community hall after a separate "mini tornado" hit part of Warwickshire
• More than 1,100 homes are without power in Kent, Surrey and Sussex - the power cuts are weather-related, says operator UK Power Networks
• A torchlight procession marking Glasgow's Commonwealth Games has been cancelled because of the poor conditions

The poor weather is affecting travel in some parts:

• Some major roads are closed because of flooding in Kent, Somerset, Dorset and Norfolk
• Traffic Scotland said a number of routes had been hit by flooding and snow
• The AA is warning motorists should take care on the roads, as ice, gales, heavy rain and snow cause difficult driving conditions in parts
• The line is closed between Machynlleth and Pwllhelli, following recent flooding, with buses replacing trains, says Arriva Trains Wales
• A very limited service is running between Horsham and Dorkingfollowing a recent landslip, says South West Trains

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

Much of Scotland and Northern Ireland are being hit by strong winds, while Scotland and northern England are seeing wintry conditions.

Some of the weather warnings continue into Monday.