Storm Chandra brings flooding and road closures with warnings across UK
Storm Chandra, the third named storm of 2026, has left a trail of disruption across the UK, bringing record-breaking rainfall, hurricane-force winds, and significant snowfall to various regions.
Arriving just days after Storm Ingrid, Chandra has battered a country already struggling with saturated ground and high river levels. On Tuesday, Somerset Council declared a major incident as flooding devastated homes and businesses, particularly across the Somerset Levels and Moors.
Southwest England: Record Flooding and Rescues 🌊
The Southwest has borne the brunt of the storm's rainfall, with some areas receiving 150% of their typical January rain in just a few days.
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River Otter: The Environment Agency issued a rare Severe Flood Warning (danger to life) for Ottery St Mary after the River Otter reached its highest-ever recorded level of 2.83m, surpassing the previous record from 2000. Flood defences were overtopped, inundating areas like the Finnimore Industrial Estate.
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Emergency Rescues: Firefighters in Devon and Somerset rescued people from 25 vehicles stranded in floodwater on Tuesday morning.
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Evacuations: Residents in parts of Somerset and Devon were urged to move pets, cars, and valuables to safety as water levels continued to rise.
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Closures: Over 40 schools in Devon were closed, and police advised against all non-essential travel in Exeter and Mid-Devon.
Northern Ireland: Amber Wind Warnings 🌬️
In Northern Ireland, the storm brought "unusual" and impactful easterly gales.
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Wind Speeds: An amber warning was in place for Antrim, Down, and Derry, with peak gusts reaching 80mph at Orlock Head on the Ards Peninsula.
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Power & Schools: More than 10,000 homes lost power, and over 300 schools were forced to close on Tuesday.
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Travel: Ferry services between Belfast, Larne, and Liverpool were suspended, and numerous domestic flights were cancelled.
Northern England & Scotland: Blizzards and Ice ❄️
Further north, the storm's moisture met cold air, resulting in significant snowfall.
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Snowfall: Up to 20cm of snow was forecast for higher ground in the Pennines and the Scottish Highlands, leading to blizzard conditions when combined with the high winds.
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Road Closures: The A66 between County Durham and Cumbria was suspended due to heavy snow and treacherous conditions.
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Loganair: The Scottish regional airline was forced to cancel at least 12 flights on Tuesday.
What to Expect Next
As Storm Chandra clears on Wednesday, the main threat shifts to ice and ongoing flood risks.
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Ice Warnings: A yellow warning for ice covers much of the UK for Wednesday morning as temperatures plummet.
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More Rain: The Met Office has already issued a Yellow Warning for Rain for Southwest England on Thursday, 29 January, as a further 20–25mm of rain is expected on already flooded terrain.
