Farmers face further woes as Storm Ciaran gathers

Farmers across the country are bracing themselves for further losses amid the arrival of Storm Ciaran.

The Met Office has issued several severe amber and yellow weather warnings for the coming days. Areas across the south of England are expected to face the worst of the soggy conditions with predicted rainfall to be around 20mm to 25mm.

However, experts also cautioned that some parts of south Wales and south-west England may see up to 80mm of rain. It said this brought a greater chance of flooding as the rain will fall on already saturated ground following last week's Storm Babet.

Farmers have already taken to social media to detail their preparations with Suffolk-based farmer Tom Jewers showing how he has made preparations for the oncoming weather.  

While Warwickshire-basded dairy farmy Charles Goadby warned that the difficult conditions and flood was further deepening concerns around UK food security.

Mr Goadby said: "Flooding is not only having devastating impacts on land, residential and commercial property but also on our ability to produce food and maintain our food security. Whoever is in power this is an issue that needs to be looked at and addressed ASAP."

The Envionment Agency (EA) has issued an update and said all area teams are preparing for potential coastal and fluvial impacts.

See also: Farmers demonstrate resilience during Storm Babet

Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the EA, said: "Large waves and onshore gales brought by Storm Ciarán could see significant flooding along parts of the south coast tomorrow, while minor impacts are possible along the coast from Dorset to Sussex this evening and along parts of the Yorkshire and North East coasts on Thursday.

"Rain from the storm could also see significant surface water and river flooding across parts of the West, South and North East of England from later today until Friday, with minor impacts possible more widely on Saturday due to further showers.

 "Environment Agency teams are out on the ground clearing any blocking debris from screens and watercourses, operating flood defence assets where required, working with partners and present in those communities that have experienced flooding, looking to minimise the impact on residents."

Storm Ciaran follows hot on the heels of Storm Babet which has wreaked havoc across the UK. The Environment Agency and Defra have come under fire after Food and Farming Minister Therese Coffey told MPs the departments were not used to dealing rain from the 'east'.

Farmers are being urged to visit Check for flooding - GOV.UK for current flood alerts and warnings and to check river, sea, groundwater and rainfall levels in your area and what to do in the event of a flood.