"Major City Faces Flooding After Drought: Locals Battle Lightning Strikes and Unclog Underwater Streets"

THUNDERSTORMS have caused major flooding across Birmingham with the Met Office warning of incoming flash floods, lightning and hail.

Locals have been left unblocking culverts to stop the city streets from going underwater after heavy rain swept across the region following weeks of drought.

More rain is set to hit Birmingham overnight and a yellow thunderstorm warning is in place from 5am tomorrow until 10pm.

Photos show locals tackling drains in water up to their knees as they brace for more downpours.

Cars appear to be half submerged after the city was lashed with thunderstorms after a of record-breaking heatwaves.

A spokesperson said: “A broad band of thunderstorms and heavy rain will move north across and Wales on Thursday, perhaps becoming slow moving in the afternoon and evening.

“Accumulations of 20-30 mm in an hour is possible locally, while 30 to 40 mm can be expected fairly widely and up to 50 mm in a 12 hour period in places.

“There is a small chance that some places may see more than 50 mm in three hours and more than 75 mm through 12 hours, especially over east facing high ground. and hail of 1-2 cm will also be hazards.”

Residents took to social media to share news of flooded areas.

One wrote: “It was madness, lightning, floods, pouring rain in Aldridge to Streetly.”

Another added: “Firefighters can’t catch a break, just when they thought dealing with fires in the heat now they gotta deal with flash floods in the rain.”

A third said in some areas the water had entered people’s houses.

They wrote: “Thornbridge Road roundabout, near Tideswell Road, is badly flooded. The flooding has entered some houses, so avoid the area.”

The East Midlands, East of England, London and South East England, North West England, South West England, , the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber are all covered by the warning.

A risk of flooding will persist with an estimated 2.9inches of rain falling over the course of 12 hours.

Brits have been warned to expect some travel disruption as the storm rolls over the country.

Warm and humid conditions have increased the chance of heavy rain and thunderstorms, the said.

has instructed passengers to check ahead of travelling today with delays to its services likely.

Some parts of the country may experience power cuts and damage to buildings from lightning strikes and hail.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Steve Willington said: “On Thursday, slow-moving heavy and thundery rain may bring prolonged rainfall to some areas, increasing the risk of localised impacts.

“There remains some uncertainty around where the heaviest rain will fall, so it is important to keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings.”

In Birmingham, lighter showers are forecast for the weekend before a slightly drier start to next week with temperatures expected to stay in the low 20s, despite the rain.

For the rest of the country, unsettled conditions could continue into Friday and the weekend.

Further showers or prolonged rain are possible with a chance of some bright spells.