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Travel disruption caused by flooding from Storm Henk is continuing to wreak havoc in Bristol today (January 3) in the aftermath of the front. The named storm swept in across the city yesterday with multiple reports of flooding being made.

The main disruption today is impacting train services and roads with flooding forcing a number of closures. This includes one lane of the southbound M32 between junction one and the M4 turn-off being closed. The lane reopened just before 1pm.

Flooding has also left railways in and around Bristol to close. Great Western Railways (GWR) says floodwater has been reported at Patchway, between Temple Meads and Weston, and a tunnel near Yate and has led to line closures.

Earlier today, the Met Office issued a fresh weather warning for rain, covering Bristol. The warning is due to be in place from midday tomorrow (January 4) and 3am on Friday.

The latest information will appear in the live blog below.

Key Events

Shannon Brown

More rain in the coming days

The Met Office has said more unsettled weather is on its way. Another severe rain warning has been issued across large parts of the West Country, with forecasters saying up to 50mm of rain could fall during the warning period - from 12pm tomorrow until 3am on Friday, January 5.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “The track of the heaviest rain remains uncertain but there is chance of 20 to 30 mm of rain falling in a 6 to 9 hour period for a portion of the warning area, with a few places seeing as much as 40-50 mm.

“Much of this rain is falling on already wet ground and therefore, impacts are more likely. Meanwhile, a stalled weather front will continue to bring rain and showers across the northeast.”

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Shannon Brown

Flooding at Eastville Park

Flooding at Eastville Park (Image: Kurt James)
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Shannon Brown

Flooded Bristol in pictures

Bristol has been struck by a wave of flooding in the wake of Storm Henk, which swept across the country this week. Heavy rain has resulted in road closures and train cancellations, with streets across the city covered in a deep layer of water.

Photos taken at Keynsham show severe flooding, with deep water covering the playing fields at Keynsham Rugby Football Club and nearby roads. Old Bristol Road has been closed for much of the day, after a car was photographed abandoned in the floodwater.

Click here to read more.

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Shannon Brown

Queen Square flooded

"It looks like Amsterdam," one person commented.

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Shannon Brown

Trainline reopen after flooding

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Shannon Brown

Chew Magna flooding

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Shannon Brown

Abandoned car in Old Bristol Road

A car drives through water on Old Bristol Road, passing what appears to be an abandoned car (Image: Reach PLC/ Paul Gillis)
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Shannon Brown

'Act now' flood warning in Eastville

A flood warning urging Eastville residents to 'act now' has been issued across parts of Bristol today (January 3). Heavy rainfall has caused water levels at the River Frome to rise, with flooding affecting many busy roads in the area.

Storm Henk is continuing to badly affect the city, causing train tracks to close and causing major disruption on roads throughout the city. The Met Office has issued yet another severe rain weather warning for the West Country in the coming days, which is likely to worsen the flooding issues.

Read the full story here.

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Shannon Brown

Do not drive through floodwater warning

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Shannon Brown

Bristol train services cancelled due to flooded tracks

Railway services in and around Bristol have been cancelled due to flooded tracks today (January 3). The region has been battered by heavy rain in recent days as a result of Storm Henk.

Read the full story here.

Flooding on the train line at Flax Bourton today (January 3) (Image: Network Rail Western)
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Alex Driscoll

Flax Bourton flooded on train line

Despite the rain ending for now, flood water is still pouring at Flax Bourton.

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KEY EVENT

Flood warning issued for Bristol

A weather warning has been issued between Stapleton and Bristol Floating Harbour.

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Shannon Brown

Flooding continues in Keynsham

Old Bristol Road remains closed due to flood water in Keynsham, Wednesday 3 January 2024 , although a few brave drivers plough through the deep water (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Old Bristol Road remains closed due to flood water in Keynsham, Wednesday 3 January 2024 , although a few brave drivers plough through the deep water (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Floodwater covers the car parks and plating fields at Keynsham Rugby Football Club, Wednesday 3 January 2024, as the remains of Storm Henk linger, in this case, rising levels on the nearby River Avon (Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
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Shannon Brown

Bristol Parkway train disruption continues

National Rail said: "Flooding between Bristol Parkway and Swindon means that all lines are currently closed. Trains running between these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 40 minutes or diverted.

"Lines have reopened between Bristol Parkway and Gloucester following heavy rain flooding the railway. Trains running between these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised whilst service recovers. Disruption is expected until the end of service.

"Additionally, flooding at Patchway means trains have to run at a reduced speed on the line towards Bristol Parkway / Bristol Temple Meads. This will add further delays with disruption expected until 14:30."

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Shannon Brown

Train disruption between Temple Meads and Taunton

Nationa Rail said: "Due to flooding of a tunnel between Bristol Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare, the line is currently closed.

"Trains running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed. You can use your Great Western Railway ticket on First Buses route X1, X9 and Buses of Somerset route 21."

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George Thorpe

Video - flooding in Portbury

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George Thorpe

Flooding pictures

A dog walks around in a flooded field in Greville Smyth Park, Ashton Gate (Image: Submitted)
A yellow Mini drives through floodwater in Portbury High Street (Image: Bob Timoney)
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George Thorpe

M32 flooding cleared

A post on traffic monitoring site Inrix says: "Earlier flooding on M32 southbound from M4 J19 (Bristol) to J1 A4174 (Hambrook)."

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KEY EVENT

Flooding at Patchway blocks railway

GWR says services between Cardiff Central and Bristol Parkway and being affected.

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KEY EVENT

M32 lane closed by flooding

A post on traffic monitoring website Inrix says: "One lane closed due to flooding on M32 southbound from M4 J19 (Bristol) to J1 A4174 (Hambrook). Traffic is coping well."

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KEY EVENT

Avon Fire and Rescue called out to cars stuck in floodwater

Firefighters have urged motorists not to risk driving through flooded areas after receving calls outs today to help retrieve vehicles.

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George Thorpe

Temple Meads - Weston train disruption expected until 1.45pm

GWR says the closure between Bristol Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare is expected to remain in place until 1.45pm.

Passengers have been given details of bus routes they can use as an alternative method of transport.

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KEY EVENT

GWR trains affected by flooding in and around Bristol

GWR says a tunnel north of Yate has become flooded and forced the line's closure between Bristol Parkway and Gloucester.

On top of this, the line between Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare is also closed due to flooding.

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KEY EVENT

New warning for rain issued

Met Office bosses have issued a fresh weather warning for rain covering Bristol.

Forecasters say up to 30mm could fall in a six-hour period in the warning area, which also covers most of south England.

Read more here.

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George Thorpe

Train line flooding disruption continues

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KEY EVENT

Storm death

Tragically, a man has died after a tree fell on the car he was driving on Tetbury Road near Kemble yesterday during Storm Henk.

Police were called at around 3.15pm with reports of a large fallen tree on the A433 Tetbury Road near the junction with the A429. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, attended the location which is between Tetbury and Cirencester.

Despite the efforts of those at the scene a man aged in his 50s and from the Bath area died. His next of kin and the coroner have been informed.

The road remains closed as recovery and investigation work continues and motorists are asked to find alternative routes.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken to officers is asked to provide information online by completing the following form and quoting incident 276 of 2 January: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

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Emma Grimshaw

Eastville Park flooding

Water around the duck pond has spilled out over the path.

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KEY EVENT

Flooding on Park Row

A picture tweeted by Robert Browne shows floodwater on the road opposite the White Harte pub.

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KEY EVENT

Flooding blocks train lines between Bristol, Gloucester and Cheltenham

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George Thorpe

North Somerset flood alert

EA says: "River levels remain high on the Congresbury Yeo due to rainfall overnight. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the Congresbury Yeo, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around roads at Wrington and Iwood. No property flooding is expected.

"The weather is forecast to remain unsettled over the next few days with showers and heavier rain on January 4. We are monitoring rainfall and river levels and are checking rivers for blockages in the area.

"Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses. Do not attempt to walk, cycle or drive through flood water. This message will be updated by 11am on January 3, or as the situation changes."

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