Britain on stand by for mass flooding after forecast of torrential downpour

BRITAIN is braced for widespread flooding this weekend after being deluged by the remnants of Hurricane Kate.

Torrential downpours have been forecast by the Met Office, who have placed huge swathes of Scotland and northern England under an amber “be prepared” warning.

Up to three inches of rain are expected before the warning expires around 6pm tonight.

In the Galloway Hills and parts of the Lake District the total rainfall could be even higher.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency had nine flood alerts in place last night, covering much of the lower half of the country.

The weather system, which comes in the wake of storm Abigail, has sneaked under the radar after developing north of the Bahamas earlier this week.

The north of England is expected to bear the brunt of the deluge, with eight inches of rain destined for Cumbria. Heavy showers are also expected in the North East.

There is also a yellow “be aware” warning for Glasgow, lower parts of the highlands, Central, Tayside, Fife and the Lothians.

Nicky Maxey of the Met Office said: “Kate is no longer a hurricane but her remnants are bearing moist, tropical air. Because it is warm, it holds a lot of moisture and this has led to us issuing the warnings.”