The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain in Norfolk, warning of the possibility of fast-flowing or deep flood water. This warning is in place until 6am tomorrow. Additionally, a separate weather warning for high winds of 60mph has been issued along the Norfolk coast from midday today until midday tomorrow. There are already reports of flooding in parts of the county, with roads such as the A47 and A146 affected. The rain is expected to continue throughout the day, with some areas experiencing rainfall of over 30mm overnight.
The heavy rain has caused racing at Fakenham Racecourse to be abandoned for the day. The CEO and Clerk of the course cited the safety of horses and jockeys as the primary concern, as the rain would likely create false areas of ground and flood parts of the track. The Met Office spokesperson stated that while Friday and Saturday morning would see the peak of heavy rain, the unsettled weather is expected to continue on Saturday with further rainfall throughout the day. Low pressure will remain in charge of the UK weather on Sunday, though there may be some drier spells in Norfolk.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has urged the public to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts, and piers. The named storm, Storm Babet, is a complex area of low pressure that formed west of the Iberian Peninsula. The RNLI’s warning serves to remind people of the potential dangers of the weather conditions, urging them to be vigilant and take necessary precautions.
In summary, Norfolk is currently experiencing heavy rain and the possibility of flooding. The Met Office has issued warnings for heavy rain and high winds, with reports of flooding already coming in. Racing at Fakenham Racecourse has been cancelled for the day due to safety concerns. The weather conditions are expected to continue on Saturday, with the RNLI urging the public to exercise caution.
