More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
As the rain starts to fall, Storm Dennis - which is set to hit Kent on Saturday - has been upgraded.
A week after Storm Ciara wreaked havoc more wind and rain will lash the county with yellow warnings for wind in place from 10am and rain from midday.
But now an amber rain warning is also in place from quarter past midnight on Sunday until 6pm.
The alert covers much of the west of the county and means there will be prolonged spells of heavy rain.
Around 20 to 40 mm of rain will fall widely with 50 to 80 mm likely across parts of northern and southern England.
Over the higher ground of Wales and southwest England, 120-140 mm of rain is possible in a few locations. This rain is expected to fall across areas already wet from recent rainfall.
An amber alert is the second most serious warning and was also put in place for Ciara. It means homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, there is a danger to life and travel routes are expected to be impacted.
The yellow wind warning in place for 38 hours from 10am on Saturday until midnight on Sunday bringing "a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris and waves, a slight chance of some damage to buildings, a risk of longer journey times due to cancellations and closures and a slight chance that power cuts may occur".
Gusts of 50 mph are expected in much of the country, with speeds reaching 60 mph in places.
Around the coasts, especially in the west and south, gusts of 60-70 mph are likely. This will be accompanied by heavy rain at times.
A yellow warning, on top of the new amber for rain across parts of the county and large swathes of the south west is also in place from midday on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday.
Between 15 and 30mm are expected, with 50 to 70 mm possible on higher ground in the west. This rain is expected to fall across areas already wet from recent rainfall leading to increased chances of flooding.
The rain warning means there is a small chance homes and businesses could be flooded, power cuts and communities being cut off.
The impacts from Storm Dennis are not expected to be as extreme as Ciara.
It will develop in the North Atlantic before tracking eastwards towards the UK and Ireland over the coming days, passing to the north of Scotland on Saturday.
Steve Ramsdale, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Another spell of very wet and windy weather is expected for Saturday, although Storm Dennis is currently not expected to be as severe as Ciara disruption is still likely. Our confidence in the forecast means we have been able to issue severe weather warnings well in advance, giving people time to prepare for potential impacts of the storm.
“With further warnings possible over the next few days people should keep up to date with the Met Office forecast using our website, app or by following us on social media.”
While the wind speeds have the potential to bring impacts they are not as strong as those seen during Ciara when a gust of 97mph was recorded on the Isle of Wight.
Southeastern has said there are currently no changes to train services on Saturday or Sunday but further updates will be issued should anything change.
Updates will be available on Twitter and its website and passengers may be entitled to compensation if there are delays and cancellations.
Ciara was initially rated yellow before the Met Office upgraded her to an amber.
She pounded Kent with gales of up to 80mph, heavy rain and crashing waves on Sunday, resulting in sporting fixtures being called off, bridges closed and trees falling.
Her aftermath continued yesterday, with flash flooding and damage to buildings causing problems throughout the county.
KMTV reports on Storm Ciara
Across the country two people died as a result of Ciara.
Saturday's warning covers most of England and Wales, stopping just short of Newcastle.
For all the forecasts, warnings and weather related news, click here.
