Rain batters Southampton after Met Office's yellow weather warning

Though rain was forecast throughout the day, the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind in Southampton, with gusts of up to 50mph expected to batter the south coast.

The Met Office had stated ‘there is a small chance that some roads and bridges could close,’ however it was the persistent heavy rain that caused travel problems for motorists.

Surface water increased throughout the afternoon on bridges, roundabouts, and dual carriageways.

Vehicles were forced to slow their average speed whilst negotiating pools of water, as pedestrians dodged splashes of water at the side of the road.

A yellow weather warning is also in place from 8am to 6pm on Thursday.

Following the heavy rain, a spokesperson for the Met Office warned of the potential implications.

READ MORE: Southampton traffic updates as M27 closure causes gridlock

They said: “There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses.

“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.

“Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services.”

They continued: “Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

“There is a small chance that some communities will become cut off by flooded roads.”

The flooding to Southampton’s roads coincided with a vehicle crash on the M27 – requiring support from emergency services – which further impacted the gridlocked roads.

Some areas of the city including West End, Swaythling, and Botley experienced up to one-hour delays.

Commenting on the flooding, Lyn Hughes said: “Perhaps if the drains were cleared it would help.

“They are full of leaves and mud and maintenance seems to be a thing of the past.”

Following Wednesday’s adverse weather, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind in Southampton for the second day in a row.