Heavy rain in Britain triggers hundreds of flood warnings and travel disruptions

Heavy rain that flooded parts of England overnight prompted a wave of weather warnings and travel disruptions early Friday, forecasters and officials said, warning that some rivers could continue to flood for days.

Nearly 300 flood warnings were in force across England on Friday morning, indicating flooding is expected. according to the British government. The warnings targeted villages and bodies of water from the Midlands to the east and south coasts.

Officials have also issued hundreds of other flood warnings, indicating possible flooding, for various communities and rivers.

Persistent flooding was also likely along parts of the River Severn, Britain’s longest river, and the River Trent, in the Midlands, over the next five days. Parts of the River Thames, which flows through London, could be flooded from Saturday to Monday.

Although rain is not uncommon in England this time of year, a worrying storm swept across southern England on Thursday, bringing heavy downpours.

This was announced by the Met Office, the British national weather service warned on ThursdayIn the evening, heavy rain and gale force winds swept through southern and eastern England.

Officials for the Great Western Railway said this on Thursday that flooding had closed several routes, causing headaches for passengers. The railway company announced early Friday brought more bad newswith passengers told that the company was still experiencing significant disruptions to its network due to flooding in multiple locations.

Officials in Nottinghamshire County, in the Midlands, declared a major incident due to flooding along the River Trent on Thursday. A shelter was set up for those whose homes were flooded or at risk of flooding.

About 50 people were evacuated in east London on Thursday due to rising waters. according to the London Fire Brigade. Ten fire engines and about 70 firefighters were called to the scene due to flooding in the area. Images on social media showed water covering roads and sidewalks.

Weather conditions also appeared to be so terrible in parts of the city that a party boat sank near Temple Pier, about a mile up the Thames from Westminster.

Jorge Gallardo, owner of Bar & Co., the company that operated on the ship, said Friday that he has run the bar for 15 years and was angry about its demise. Images of the scene showed the London skyline in the background, looming behind a partially submerged boat with its mast sticking out of the water.