Flood warning for Rotherham as thunderstorms forecast

Forecasters said temperatures were expected to rise to 27°C through the afternoon with storms possible from around 4pm.

The Met Office has issued a yellow ‘be aware’ warning for heavy rain with up to 30mm of rain possible in just an hour.

It said the thunderstorms “may miss many places” but where they do develop intense downpours were likely, “bringing the threat of sudden flooding of roads, transport routes, homes and businesses”.

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Whiston Brook Catchment and said flooding was “possible”.

A spokesman said: “It is not possible to predict the precise location of these thunderstorms, but where they occur there’s a risk of localised flooding of roads, homes and businesses.

“The potential for very heavy rain and the uncertainty over where it will fall means that we are taking the precautionary measure of issuing this flood alert.

“In anticipation of these thunderstorms we are monitoring the situation and our field teams are working with partners to ensure that defences are clear of obstructions.”