Flash floods cause chaos in Britain
2 hours, 24 minutes ago
LONDON (AFP) - Torrential rain and thunderstorms struck Britain on Friday, causing road and rail chaos, forcing television stations off the air and delaying the start of play in the England cricket Test.
Homes flooded, rail companies cancelled services and police reported a slew of weather-related car and truck crashes.
Sweeping in from the south-west, the rain struck first in southern and central England and Wales.
Rail company First Great Western advised would-be travellers against taking to the train, saying two days of rain had fallen in an hour in some places across the network.
"Even if the flooding subsides, all our trains will be in the wrong places and there will still be severe delays," he said.
Some of the country's television stations briefly went off the air as satellite signals were disrupted, while computers froze in offices.
The heavy rain also delayed the start of the second day's play in the first Test between England and India at Lord's in London, though play did eventually begin late. Around the country, many outdoor events were postponed or cancelled.
The latest bad weather came after four people died in floods in June and thousands of people are still homeless after flood damage.
"It's fair to say that what we're seeing today is extremely rare for this time of year," said forecaster Helen Rossington.
Flash floods cause chaos in Britain
Author