London: A red flood warning, indicating a danger to life, has been issued for a river in south-west England as Storm Chandra brought heavy rain and strong winds to many parts of the UK.
The Environment Agency (EA) said severe flooding was expected on January 27 in Ottery St Mary, a town situated along the River Otter. Floodwaters were forecast to be deep and fast-flowing.
Emergency services and local authorities are working alongside the EA, which has advised residents in threatened parts of the town to move family members, pets, and vehicles to safety if possible, and to turn off gas, electricity, and water supplies.
An Amber Wind warning has just come into effect across parts of Northern Ireland ⚠️
Severe gales are likely at times today, potentially bringing down trees and giving some damage, with winds often from a less typical easterly direction. Dangerous coastal conditions are expected. pic.twitter.com/10SCedDWX4
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 27, 2026
By daybreak on January 27, there were almost 100 flood warnings in place across England, meaning flooding was expected, along with nearly 200 flood alerts, indicating that flooding was possible. In Wales, 17 flood alerts had been issued, with heavy rainfall falling on already saturated ground.
Storm Chandra also caused widespread disruption to travel. The M48 Severn Crossing between England and Wales was closed due to strong winds, while high-sided vehicles were banned from using the Humber Bridge in north-east England.
Flooding forced the closure of sections of roads in Dorset, Somerset, and East Devon. In south-east Wales, Gwent Police said the A40 was flooded between Abergavenny and Raglan.
Rail operators urged passengers to check their planned routes before travelling. National Rail warned that poor weather conditions could affect services in south-west England until the end of the day.
Amber warnings for wind and rain
An amber weather warning for rain was in place on January 27 for parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset. The Met Office said rainfall totals of 30 to 50mm were likely in these areas, with 60 to 80mm possible across some higher ground, particularly in south Dartmoor.
A second amber warning for wind was issued for parts of Northern Ireland, where the Met Office stated thta severe gales were likely. These conditions could bring down trees and create dangerous coastal conditions, with wind gusts of up to 75mph expected.
The Met Office noted that winds were coming from an unusually south-easterly or easterly direction, meaning areas that are typically sheltered could be more exposed. Forecasters also noted that snow could fall on higher ground in parts of northern UK, potentially causing blizzard-like conditions in some locations.
Parts of south-west England are still dealing with the aftermath of Storms Goretti and Ingrid earlier this month, faced further disruption as Storm Chandra swept through the region. During those storms, winds of up to 99mph (160km/h) battered the Isles of Scilly, while thousands of people in Cornwall were left without power, water, and internet services.
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