The Met Office has warned residents in Surrey after predicting heavy rainfall and possible flooding today (Monday, June 10).

An Amber warning — the second highest weather warning possible — was issued by the Met Office for today between 3pm and 11pm for a swathe of the South East including most of Surrey.

On the state weather service's website, the Met Office released a bullet point list of likely effects of the predicted rainfall, saying that "flooding to homes and businesses" was "likely":

  • "Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
  • Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely with spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
  • Fast flowing floodwater is possible, causing danger to life
  • Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely..."

The Surrey Comet spoke with Bonnie Diamond, a Meteorologist at the Met Office, for more details about what the Amber warning might mean for residents in Surrey and elsewhere.

"There is a wider yellow warning in place for the South East today (June 10) and the Amber warning falls within that, where expect the heaviest rain to fall and the (most severe) impact from that rain to happen, such as flooding affecting transport and so on.

"With further heavy rain expected today and tonight we'd advise people to keep an eye on the forecasts, especially if you're inside yellow warning area as it could also be upgraded to an Amber warning," she said.

Ms Diamond added that those planning journeys for Monday afternoon and evening should take extra precautions throughout the day.

"If you have any journeys planned, if you're commuting home, do expect some disruption, cancellations and delays on public transport, and try and make plans around that whether its leaving work earlier or later depending on the weather warning.

"Especially for those driving, take care because flash flooding can happen very quickly and can cause very hazardous driving conditions...only make journeys if necessary and keep an eye on the forecasts," the meteorologist said.

The Amber warning, said Ms Diamond, should "absolutely not," be taken lightly.

"An amber warning for rain means we are expecting disruption, heavy rain bringing flooding and that will lead to difficult driving conditions," she said.

Areas most at risk of flooding are those where the thundery showers occur.

The Met Office was eager to stress that predicting these with any accuracy was difficult, though most of Surrey was at risk of heavy rainfall Monday afternoon as per the Amber warning zone.

Officials urged Surrey residents to watch the forecasts as they update throughout the day — with the Met Office's own App that features a live precipitation map being one of the best ways to do so.

For all the information and live updates on today's Amber weather warning for heavy rainfall, go to: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2019-06-10