Thunderstorms wreak havoc across the UK: chaos

Thunderstorms wreak havoc across the UK: Travel chaos with cars trapped in flash floods as airport CLOSES and cancels all flights and Met Office issues weather warning with torrential rain, lightning, hail and strong winds lashing the country

The Met Office predicted that by the end of today more than a month's rain could fall, causing life-threatening floods and travel chaos. Videos show travellers standing in the flooded terminal in Devon with water up to their ankles as it was announced that all flights to and from Exeter Airport would be cancelled for the rest of today. Flash flooding also hit the nearby seaside town of Dawlish, trapping motorists in their cars on roads inundated with water. The weather forecaster said 30-40mm of rain fall over just one hour today - in a downpour that would see volumes of rain equivalent to over half the September average of 55-60mm. The UK's official forecaster has warned of lightning, hail, and strong winds that will lash many parts of England and Wales this evening. An amber weather warning for thunderstorms across parts of Devon and Somerset is still in place while a yellow warning covers the rest of the south-west of England and South Wales until 6pm. A similar warning has been issued for London , the south-east and east of England and the East Midlands until 6am on Monday.