Weather warning for rain as Storm Alex brings heavy downpours to North East

The notice – extended from an earlier warning – runs until noon tomorrow, Sunday, October 4, and states the heavy downpour could bring some flooding and transport disruption to the area.

It covers Sunderland, South Tyneside, County Durham, the north of Hartlepool and Northumberland.

The Met Office has said: “Many places will see 25-50 mm of rainfall, with totals of 70-90 mm expected over some high ground.

"The highest totals are likely over the high ground of eastern Scotland, north Wales and southwest England where a few places may see over 120 mm of rain.

"The unusual wind direction associated with the rainfall will mean that the peak rainfall totals are likely to occur in some areas that are usually well sheltered and drier during unsettled spells of weather.”

It adds there is a chance homes and businesses could be flooded, with a risk caused by fast-flowing or deep water posing a risk to life.

Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible and spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures

Some communities may be cut off by flooded roads and possible power cuts and loss of other services might be experienced by some homes and businesses.

Amber warnings have been issued for the same weather front in other areas set to be hit more severely by the rain, including the very North East of Scotland and Wales and the South West.

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