Further torrential rain and thunderstorms are set to hit Northern Ireland and Scotland as the severe weather sweeps up across the UK.
Much of the country woke up to a warm and muggy start on the first day of meteorological summer, with rush hour travellers experiencing flooding.
An amber weather warning – meaning a potential risk to life – in place for the south-west of England and south Wales expired at 6am on Friday.
Localised surface flooding was reported by emergency services, while there were power cuts across the North.
South-west parts of England were worst affected overnight, with Gloucestershire County Council reporting multiple calls to the fire service over flash flooding.
Shropshire fire and rescue service said it was receiving a high volume of calls about flooding incidents, including a car stuck in flood water in Ludlow.
Flash flooding was also reported in How Caple, Herefordshire.
And commuters were forced to wade through floodwater that streamed into Didcot Parkway station, with station staff using wheelchairs to help others keep their feet dry.
Travellers posted to social media to report raw sewage flowing from drains, while one commuter said she had been given a piggyback through a flooded underpass.
Some 59 flood alerts are in place in England, mainly over the South West and West, while 13 are in place in Scotland.
Gatwick Airport said five out of 450 scheduled departures were cancelled and there were minimal delays, with a spokesman saying the operation was “pretty much back to normal”.
A yellow weather warning remains in place until 10pm covering northern and western England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland and Scotland are likely to see warm sunshine, scattered thunderstorms and torrential downpours, the Met Office warned.
There is the potential for 20-30 mm of rain to fall in an hour in some locations, with lightning and large hail also possible.
The Met Office said there would be some good spells of sunshine following a cloudy start.
Met Office meteorologist John West said a “lively” day was in store on Friday, despite a bright start for some.
He said: “It will be a warm and humid day, with some decent spells of sunshine. But with the temperatures rising and an awful lot of moisture in the air, we’ll see more heavy showers and thunderstorms returning by early afternoon.
“This will affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and western parts of England and Wales.
“With some torrential downpours, it is likely that we will see some localised flooding.”
The severe weather is expected to ease into the evening, with another humid night in store, but return on Saturday to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Environment Agency has urged people to check their flood risk and warned people not to drive through flood water.
Kate Marks, Environment Agency flood duty manager, said teams would work “24/7” to operate flood defences, clear blockages in rivers and streams and support partners at any incidents of surface water flooding.
“With heavy rain forecast during rush hour, drivers should stay up to date with the latest weather forecast and travel information before making their journey,” she said.
“We remind people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm can move your car.”
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