Storm Dennis: Here's what to expect as second storm to hit Portsmouth in a week

STORM Dennis is set to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the region over the weekend.
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A number of weather warnings have been issued for Portsmouth and the surrounding areas for Saturday and Sunday.

It will be the second storm to batter the city in a week following Storm Ciara last weekend, which brought gale force winds and travel disruptions.

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Here’s what residents can expect from Storm Dennis in the coming days:

Storm Ciara showing her full force at Southsea captured by Matt Bailey. Picture: @MBaily_PhotosStorm Ciara showing her full force at Southsea captured by Matt Bailey. Picture: @MBaily_Photos
Storm Ciara showing her full force at Southsea captured by Matt Bailey. Picture: @MBaily_Photos

What weather warnings have been issued?

The Met Office has put out a yellow alert for strong winds for across Hampshire including the Portsmouth area.

This is in place from 10am on Saturday until 11.59pm on Sunday – meaning it covers the vast majority of the weekend.

A yellow weather warning is also in place for heavy rain for Portsmouth and the surrounding towns.

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It comes into force at noon on February 15 and will remain in place until 9pm on February 16.

While the Met Office has also issued a ‘severe' amber warning for parts of Hampshire including Petersfield, the Meons and Winchester.

This is in place from 12.15am until 6pm on Sunday, with forecasters warning of very heavy rain.

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What can residents expect?

With the yellow rain warning in place for much of the weekend, the Met Office has said that that Storm Dennis will bring ‘very heavy rain’.

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There is a chance of flooding and disruption to travel over the weekend.

On its website, the Met Office says: ‘Spells of heavy and prolonged rain are expected to affect parts of England and Wales over the weekend with a higher likelihood of impacts now expected in some areas.

‘Around 20-40 mm of rain will fall widely with 50-80 mm likely across parts of northern and southern England.

‘Over the higher ground of Wales and southwest England, 120-140 mm of rain is possible in a few locations. This rain is expected to fall across areas already wet from recent rainfall.’

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For the areas covered by the amber warning on Sunday, residents are warned that they could expect:

- Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings

- Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life

- Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely

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- Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures

- A good chance some communities cut off by flooded roads

- Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely

While Storm Dennis is also expected to bring gusts of up to 70mph in places throughout the weekend.

The gales are expected to be strongest on Saturday afternoon heading into the evening and then picking up again in the early hours of Sunday.

Currently the Met Office is predicting that the winds will reach speeds of 59mph between 6am and 9am on February 16.

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