’50-year storm’ bears down on Britain
- From:news.com.au
- June 15, 2012
![50-year storm](http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2012/06/15/1226396/145935-50-year-storm.jpg)
An image of the 70mph storm taken by NASA’s Terra satellite. Picture: NASA Source: Supplied
ANYONE looking to head overseas to avoid Australia’s wild weather would be wise to give Great Britain a miss.
England and Wales are on flood alert as Britain braces for a “once in 50 years” storm which could bring a month’s worth of rain and 70mph winds.
The storm is expected to hit tomorrow – right in the middle of the peak summer season.
More than 110mm rain is expected to fall in Wales in about 48 hours, the Weather Channel predicted. It also said there was a 50 per cent chance of a once-in-50 years 80mm deluge in just 12 hours.
Britain’s environment agency has dispatched hundreds of flood specialists to ensure the country is properly able to defend against the storm, clearing debris blocking rivers and drains.
“There is a high risk of flooding, with the situation made even worse by ground being saturated from previous rain this week,” Weather Channel forecaster Leon Brown said.
Australia has been hit hard with wild weather this month with Western Australia the hardest hit. The third major front to cross WA’s southwest uprooted trees, crushed cars and tore roofs earlier this week.