People are being warned that their homes and businesses could be flooded as Storm Christoph looks set to make its way to our area.

The newly named storm has already started to take hold in other areas of the UK, bringing with it heavy rain and strong winds.

And Hertfordshire, London and Essex could feel the effects of Storm Christoph, with a yellow weather warning having been issued in the areas throughout Wednesday and the first half of Thursday.

The weather forecaster has warned people that spells of heavy rainfall could lead to travel disruption and flooding.

The Met Office has also warned that:

  • Flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely
  • Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
  • Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
  • Some interruption to power supplies and other services likely

Watford Observer: Heavy rainfall is predicted for Hertfordshire, London and Essex (photo Met Office)Heavy rainfall is predicted for Hertfordshire, London and Essex (photo Met Office)

The Met Office said on its website: “Occasional heavy rain is expected to affect the region from Wednesday onwards into early Thursday as Storm Christoph affects the UK. The heaviest and most persistent rain is likely to be across the higher ground in the southwest.

“20-30 mm of rain is expected to fall widely across the warning area with areas of 40-50 mm most likely in southwest England and along the south coast towards Hampshire. 75-100 mm is also likely over the moors in the southwest. Some stronger winds may also accompany the rainfall and may add to travelling difficulties across higher and more exposed routes.”

The most serious weather warning – amber for rain – has been in place across parts of the Midlands and northern England since Tuesday morning, alongside less serious yellow warnings for rain across Wales, Northern Ireland, northern England and southern Scotland.