Pictured: Stormy UK weather leaves town surrounded by floodwater

A town has been deluged by floodwater after stormy weather battered parts of Britain, prompting warnings some communities could be stranded.

Aerial images on Wednesday afternoon showed the 12th century Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire surrounded by floodwater and homes submerged after the River Severn burst its banks.

Forecasters warned that heavy rain could swamp some homes and businesses and winds of up to 70 mph are expected in parts of the UK on Thursday.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain from 9pm on Wednesday until 5pm on Thursday across much of South West England and Wales, as well as Herefordshire and Shropshire, saying there are “concerns” about already saturated ground. 

It said some higher ground areas may get 70-90 mm or more of rain and that downpours could flood properties and cause power cuts.

The Environment Agency has issued 35 flood warnings and 114 flood alerts for areas across England where flooding is expected or possible.

Natural Resources Wales has issued eight flooding warnings, along parts of The River Severn, River Vyrnwy and River Teme, and 38 flood alerts.

Heavy rain could also cause delays or cancellations on public transport, and spray and flooding could lead to treacherous driving conditions and road closures, while some communities may also be “cut off by flooded roads,” the Met Office said.

In Wales, the National Grid said about 600 homes, mainly in Newport, are without power after stormy weather. Some cars were left submerged near Cardiff as roads flooded. 

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said a number of hillside and low-lying properties have been affected from run-off water and blocked culverts, with Porth and Pontypridd in Rhondda Cynon Taf worst affected by floods.

Winds of up to 70mph are expected in Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey in Wales until 3am on Friday.

The Met Office warned that “very strong west or southwest winds are expected, producing gusts to 45 mph inland and 60 mph along some coasts and across high ground” across southern England and Wales on Wednesday night and Thursday.

Meanwhile in the Westcountry, Great Western Railway services between Swindon and Chippenham in Wiltshire were cancelled due to flooding, disrupting thousands of passengers.

The Environment Agency said it was “monitoring flood levels, operating flood gates and barriers at locations across the country, and ensuring debris screens are clear from blockages to ensure communities are better protected”.

The agency added: “We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30 cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.”

The Met Office said further persistent rain will move in on Friday night and into Saturday, with the heaviest rain likely to be further north, including north Wales, northern England and Scotland.