Storm Babet hits UK, prompts school closures

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Schools across the UK are shutting their doors, and residents are being advised to stay indoors as Storm Babet bears down.

The Met Office, the country's meteorological service, has issued an exceptionally rare red warning for "exceptional and persistent" rain in eastern Scotland, in addition to amber and yellow warnings for strong winds and heavy rainfall in other areas.

"Confidence has increased in the chances of considerable impacts from rainfall in parts of the east of Scotland from Storm Babet, which has resulted in the escalation to the Red warning," Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said in a statement Wednesday.

"100-150mm (3.9 -5.9 inches) of rain is expected to fall quite widely within the warning period, with some locations likely to see 200-250mm (7.9-9.8 inches), which is expected to cause considerable impacts with flooding likely," he said.

This made it the first time a red warning for rain has been issued in the UK since the infamous Storm Dennis in February 2020.

The Met Office urged residents in the affected areas to take this red warning seriously and to be prepared for extreme weather conditions such as extensive flooding.

The heavy and persistent rainfall can lead to severe flooding, posing risks to life and property.