PARTS of Somerset will be hit by “heavy and persistent” rain from Sunday evening until Tuesday morning, making some travel disruption likely.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain covering the Taunton area, Wells, Glastonbury, Chard, Ilminster, Wellington and Exmoor.

The weather warning begins at 6pm tomorrow (Sunday, December 18) and ends at 6am on Tuesday, December 20.

The warning also covers Brighton, Portsmouth, Exeter, Plymouth, and parts of Cornwall and south Wales. Around 25-50mm of rain is expected to fall in most affected areas.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Rain, heavy and persistent at times, is expected to bring some travel disruption.

“For the area across southern England, 25-50mm of rain will fall widely, but the highest rainfall totals are likely to be across the higher ground of Sussex and Dorset, where locally 50-80mm of rain may fall.

“Across Dartmoor, especially south-facing high ground, totals may locally exceed 150mm.

“For the area across south Wales, 35-50mm of rain may fall widely, with 70-90mm possible over south-facing high ground.”

People living in the yellow weather warning zone have been told to expect:

  • Spray and flooding that could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures;
  • Some communities could become cut off by flooded roads;
  • A slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services wehre flooding occurs; 
  • A small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.

People living in properties at risk of flooding are advised to move vaulable belongings to a safe place, know how to shut off their electricity or gas supply and compile a list of useful contacts, including their local council, utility providers and insurance company.

They should also put together a flood kit that contains a torch and spare batteries, a first aid kit and prescriptions, warm waterproof clothes and blankets, and water and snacks.