Monmouth declared a major incident at 01:30 GMT on Saturday after Storm Claudia forced the River Monnow over its banks, inundating the town centre. South Wales Fire and Rescue said crews were conducting rescues, evacuations and welfare checks, while Natural Resources Wales issued four severe flood warnings for Monmouth – its highest alert level indicating danger to life.

The Met Office said some places would see up to a month’s rain in 24 hours, a warning borne out by rapid totals on Friday into Saturday. A Natural Resources Wales gauge at Tafalog in Gwent logged 81.8mm by late Friday afternoon, while provisional figures on Saturday morning showed 119.6mm since Thursday evening and gusts up to 68mph in parts of northwest England and Wales.

Emergency teams ferried residents to safety from flooded streets after the Monnow burst its banks, with rest centres opened locally. One family described clinging to a tree from the roof of their car before being pulled to safety by firefighters, while councillors spoke of the worst flooding seen in decades. Additional rest facilities were set up at the town’s leisure centre as evacuations continued.

Flood risk remains elevated through the weekend. The Environment Agency warned of further river flooding in England following the deluge, and its live service shows numerous flood warnings and alerts in force. Residents are urged to monitor official updates and be ready to act quickly if local levels rise.

Travel has been heavily disrupted. Great Western Railway advised people not to travel between London Paddington and South Wales due to flooded lines; Chiltern Railways ran a significantly reduced service; and Network Rail reported major overhead line damage closing the Manchester Airport line. National Rail also flagged weather‑related reductions across several operators.

A cold snap follows the flooding. The UK Health Security Agency has issued a cold‑health alert from Monday morning through Friday for the Midlands and northern England, with the Met Office expecting widespread frosts and a risk of ice. Officials are asking people to check on older neighbours and anyone with health conditions.

Emergency partners say operations will continue into the clean‑up phase. South Wales Fire and Rescue described it as a large‑scale incident requiring support from police, ambulance, mountain rescue and coastguard teams, while the British Red Cross prepared teams to assist communities most at risk as conditions evolve.

For households and businesses, there are practical steps that reduce risk today. Sign up for free flood warnings and keep important numbers to hand; Floodline operates 24/7 on 0345 988 1188. The AA’s advice is blunt for drivers: “Safety comes first. Conditions may change quickly, so stay updated and make sure you’re prepared before you travel.” Never drive through floodwater.

Insurance can support resilient repairs. Under the government‑backed Flood Re scheme, many home insurers offer Build Back Better funding of up to £10,000 for property‑level resilience as part of reinstatement – think flood doors, raised electrics and water‑resistant materials. Ask your insurer if you qualify when making a claim.

Agencies have also scaled up kit for rapid response this winter, including 260 mobile pumps and 25km of temporary barriers that can be deployed to protect communities when rivers rise. These measures complement hard defences and buy time for longer‑term upgrades.

Why events like this are becoming more frequent is clear in the data. The State of the UK Climate report shows winters getting wetter – the 2015–2024 decade was around 10% wetter than 1961–1990 – and Met Office attribution work finds storm rainfall has increased in part due to human‑driven warming. Planning and investment now need to reflect this new baseline.

And while streets are flooded today, water security is still precarious. The Environment Agency’s latest outlook warns England could face widespread drought in 2026 without sustained winter rain, after months of below‑average rainfall this year. Flood and drought can occur back‑to‑back when parched soils struggle to absorb intense downpours.

Elsewhere, weather impacts stretched beyond Monmouth. A new LaplandUK attraction near Macclesfield closed and evacuated guests due to falling trees and high winds, and Cheltenham’s Saturday racing only proceeded after inspection and course changes following heavy rain. These ripple effects underline how quickly severe weather can move from local emergency to national disruption.