Weather journalist Nathan Rao warned Britain is ill-prepared for worsening flooding as Storm Chandra leaves damage in its wake and more heavy rain looms.
Although the named storm has largely passed, flooding continues across parts of the West Country, with Somerset declaring a major incident amid scenes reminiscent of the 2013 winter floods.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Rao said: "Storm Chandra is pretty much over for today in its wake it has left a lot of damage and there’s going to be a huge clean-up. Chandra was the third named storm pretty much in as many weeks, following Storm Goretti and Storm Isabel.
"What we’re seeing with these storms as they come through is that the greatest threat is the heavy rain.
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"And now the flooding and the effects of Storm Chandra through the next few days are going to be the clean-up from flooding, as we’re seeing across the south-west of the country, across Somerset. In fact, a major incident has been declared in Somerset, reminiscent of the 2013 winter floods, which again put the West Country under water.
"But it is going to be flooding not just from Storm Chandra.
"As we go through this week, later in the week and through into the middle of February, with more rain on the way, there is going to be an issue as these storms from the Atlantic come in.
"So although Storm Chandra has pretty much done its thing, there is more to come and it’s going to take a while for these floods to recede."
Nathan Rao warned that the country is 'not prepared' for the weather
|GB NEWS
Responding, GB News Breakfast host Eamonn Holmes said: "I think you point out something very interesting. It’s not even so much the damage from the storms, of course. It’s our inability, with our drainage systems many of which are Victorian to deal with what’s going on here.
Mr Rao said: "You’re quite right. And this has been highlighted in a report last year from the Climate Change Committee, which talks about climate change whatever your thoughts on climate change. We are seeing more and more flooding, and we are woefully unprepared for this flooding.
"Whenever we get sustained bouts of rain, we see that parts of the country are left under water, and there are around six million properties at risk from flooding.
"But not only that agricultural land is continually at risk from flooding, railways and infrastructure are at risk from flooding, and we are unprepared for it. And this isn’t going anywhere.
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Storm Chandra battered Britain yesterday after the Met Office issued seven urgent warnings
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"We are going to get more and more of this wet weather as a theme as we go through the latter winter months, and we’re not prepared for the flooding."
"There are measures we can put in place for example, building reservoirs, boreholes, dredging the rivers — which themselves have environmental implications.
"Opinions are split on that, but there is possibly, arguably, more we could be doing to prepare for flooding when it comes with greater frequency."
Labour has come under fire from local authorities for continuing to stretch council budgets after Storm Chandra plunged Britain into flooding chaos.
The storm triggered record-breaking flooding in Devon on Tuesday, after the River Otter surged to an unprecedented 2.83 metres, bursting its banks and inundating homes, roads and farmland.
The Environment Agency issued a rare severe flood warning, signalling a direct threat to life in affected areas.
Across Britain, the storm caused widespread disruption, with major roads closed, flights grounded and rail services suspended as fierce winds and torrential rain battered the country.
Hundreds of schools were forced to shut, while ferry crossings were cancelled. The West Country bore the brunt of the extreme weather, which brought heavy rain, snow and powerful gales sweeping across the UK.