Britain heads for its wettest February in 30 years

Britain is set for its wettest February in 30 years as the country braced itself for yet more heavy rain this weekend.

Stormy weather will bring further misery to communities still suffering from two weeks of downpours as concerns grow that more flood defences will buckle under the strain.

An average 5.5in of rain has fallen across the UK so far this month but experts fear the figure could surpass the second highest record of 6.6in, which was set in 2014.

According to Met Office records, the wettest ever February was in 1990 with an average rainfall of 7.6in.

The Met Office warned that even a small amount of rain in areas deluged as Storms Ciara and Dennis ravaged the country could lead to yet more flooding owing to such wet ground (pictured is high tide at Whitby in North Yorkshire)

A plane was photographed struggling to land easily at Leeds Bradford Airport as storm clouds seemed to gather

A plane was photographed struggling to land easily at Leeds Bradford Airport as storm clouds seemed to gather  

With vast swathes of South Wales and central and northern England still recovering from the impact of Storms Ciara and Dennis, heavy showers and high winds have brought more flooding and warnings of worse to come. 

In the Yorkshire Dales, the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale was cut off for six hours and a fire crew had to help locals.

Thomas Millman, 57, landlord of the Crown pub, said it was the worst flooding he had seen in 40 years in the village.

‘It swept in very, very quickly and I was forced to shut the pub at 9pm on Friday. We put sandbags outside, which has fortunately stopped it flooding.

With vast swathes of South Wales and central and northern England still recovering from the impact of Storms Ciara and Dennis, heavy showers and high winds have brought more flooding and warnings of worse to come. Pictured: flooded roads in Upton-upon-Severn

With vast swathes of South Wales and central and northern England still recovering from the impact of Storms Ciara and Dennis, heavy showers and high winds have brought more flooding and warnings of worse to come. Pictured: flooded roads in Upton-upon-Severn

The Environment Agency said that river levels have exceeded existing records with the Colne, Ribble, Calder, Aire, Trent, Severn, Wye, Lugg and Derwent among the many rivers where records have been broken

The Environment Agency said that river levels have exceeded existing records with the Colne, Ribble, Calder, Aire, Trent, Severn, Wye, Lugg and Derwent among the many rivers where records have been broken

The Environment Agency sets up pumps to quell the levels of the River Lugg in Mordiford, Herefordshire, as a third consecutive weekend of stormy weather is bringing further flooding misery to already sodden communities

The Environment Agency sets up pumps to quell the levels of the River Lugg in Mordiford, Herefordshire, as a third consecutive weekend of stormy weather is bringing further flooding misery to already sodden communities

One cyclist was less fortunate, trudging through floodwaters in North Wales as the river's banks burst once again

One cyclist was less fortunate, trudging through floodwaters in North Wales as the river’s banks burst once again 

Water continues to surround Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire, as more rain in northern England could lead to further flooding in already sensitive areas, the Met Office has said

Water continues to surround Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire, as more rain in northern England could lead to further flooding in already sensitive areas, the Met Office has said

Although today will bring further rain, strong gusts and even snow on higher ground, Met Office forecasters said the conditions were not bad enough for a named storm. Pictured: people take shelter as waves crash in at high tide at Whitby, North Yorkshire

Although today will bring further rain, strong gusts and even snow on higher ground, Met Office forecasters said the conditions were not bad enough for a named storm. Pictured: people take shelter as waves crash in at high tide at Whitby, North Yorkshire

‘But some people haven’t been so lucky. The water was waist high on the main road and I know lots of people had to leave their homes. This is the third weekend on the trot it’s been this bad. I don’t remember weather like this.’

The Environment Agency issued 90 flood warnings and 153 alerts yesterday, covering areas from Wiltshire to Cumbria. Two severe flood warnings – meaning an imminent danger to life – remain in place for the River Lugg at Hampton Bishop, near Hereford.

Although today will bring further rain, strong gusts and even snow on higher ground, Met Office forecasters said the conditions were not bad enough for a named storm.

Flooded pitches at Upton-upon-Severn rugby club, as a third consecutive weekend of stormy weather is bringing further flooding misery to already sodden communities

Flooded pitches at Upton-upon-Severn rugby club, as a third consecutive weekend of stormy weather is bringing further flooding misery to already sodden communities

Luke Miall, a meteorologist at the Met Office, has warned that 'even small amounts of rain could lead to some further flooding just because the ground is so wet after the recent wet weather that we've been seeing' (pictured, flooding in Oxford today)

Luke Miall, a meteorologist at the Met Office, has warned that ‘even small amounts of rain could lead to some further flooding just because the ground is so wet after the recent wet weather that we’ve been seeing’ (pictured, flooding in Oxford today)

The River Thames in Oxford breeches its banks after the heavy rainfall, flooding the surrounding parks, allotments and fields in the Botley area Flooding in Oxford today

The River Thames in Oxford breeches its banks after the heavy rainfall, flooding the surrounding parks, allotments and fields in the Botley area Flooding in Oxford today 

Heavy rain, strong winds and flooding caused by Storm Dennis has wreaked havoc with homeowners and commuters this week, but it has also affected revellers trying to enjoy a night out in Leeds

Heavy rain, strong winds and flooding caused by Storm Dennis has wreaked havoc with homeowners and commuters this week, but it has also affected revellers trying to enjoy a night out in Leeds

Forecaster Marco Petagna warned of high winds in the North and another band of stormy weather sweeping in from the South-West today.

Yellow weather warnings have been issued for rain in parts of Wales today, with 2.4in expected in some upland areas. 

Another storm system was expected to move across the whole of the UK tonight with high winds, rain and snow across Scotland and parts of northern England.

Lurking in watery Worcester … it’s a real crocodile shock! 

When your restaurant’s beset with floods, could things really get any worse? Only if you spot a crocodile lurking in the encroaching waters.

Richard Hill, manager of Browns at the Quay in Worcester, got a shock when he spotted the creature outside his front windows yesterday.

At first, he worried the fearsome beast had escaped from a nearby safari park but fortunately soon realised it was a fibreglass model that had been swept up in the storm. 

Richard Hill, manager of Browns at the Quay in Worcester, got a shock when he spotted the creature outside his front windows yesterday

Richard Hill, manager of Browns at the Quay in Worcester, got a shock when he spotted the creature outside his front windows yesterday

At first, he worried the fearsome beast had escaped from a nearby safari park but fortunately soon realised it was a fibreglass model that had been swept up in the storm

At first, he worried the fearsome beast had escaped from a nearby safari park but fortunately soon realised it was a fibreglass model that had been swept up in the storm

‘All the staff had a bit of a moment, when we first spotted it at about eight this morning,’ Mr Hill said.

‘We were taken aback, to say the least, but once we realised it was fake, it turned into the highlight of the day.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk