Luton Airport terminal causing long delays after torrential downpours

Angry passengers are facing severe delays after ‘unprecedented rainfall’ led to flooding at Luton Airport.

Shocking footage posted on social media shows a torrent of water flowing through the terminal, with holidaymakers saying the airport is in ‘meltdown’.

Rain was seen leaking through the ceiling and adding to large puddles as passengers looked on in surprise.

Shocking footage posted on social media shows a torrent of water flowing through the terminal (left and right), with holidaymakers saying the airport is in ‘meltdown’

Passenger Claudia Harris posted footage of the scene on social media (pictured). In the clip, she can be heard saying: ‘That’s all water coming through, it’s flooding right now’

Some travellers even had to evacuate their planes due to the extreme weather.

It came as the UK faced its first major storm in four months amid warnings 60mph winds are set to cause hazardous conditions for drivers this weekend while floods and power cuts could cause further disruption.

Love Island’s Zara McDermott and her Made In Chelsea boyfriend Sam Thompson were caught up in the chaos at Luton Airport.

The reality TV stars posted on social media footage of the water pouring through a restaurant’s roof in the terminal this evening.

Ms McDermott posted with the clip: ‘The roof is coming down in Luton Airport wtf. Sat in Bella Italia.

‘I cannot believe this is happening, was just trying to enjoy my pizza.’

Ms McDermott can be heard in the footage shouting ‘I’m getting wet Sam.’

She added: ‘Oh my God, this is insane.’

Ms McDermott posted with the clip: ‘The roof is coming down in Luton Airport wtf. Sat in Bella Italia. ‘I cannot believe this is happening, was just trying to enjoy my pizza’

Fellow traveller Claudia Harris posted footage from the terminal and said the airport had gone into ‘meltdown’.

In the clip, she can be heard saying:  ‘That’s all water coming through, it’s flooding right now.’

Evan Hood said he had been cleared off a plane which was just about to take off.

He added: ‘We were sitting on an #easyjet at #lutonairport when that rain hit…and then our plane started smoking.’ 

Koldo Almandoz, said: ‘Absolutely unacceptable the level of disruption caused by 15 minutes worth of rainfall, I’m losing my flight because I lost +45 mins due to traffic, security queues etc.’

Some travellers even had to evacuate their planes due to the extreme weather this afternoon. It led to a build up of crowds in the small airport (pictured)

Another wrote: ‘What an absolute joke of an airport.’

And Melissa Restrepo added: ‘Stuck in the plane at Luton Airport because apparently the terminal was flooded by a quick rain. Fun.’

The airport said in a statement the ‘unprecedented rainfall’ had caused ‘water damage in a number of locations in the terminal’ and apologised for the disruption.

Its Twitter account later added: ‘We are working as quickly as we can to get services back to normal and will keep passengers updated. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.’

Those heading off for a weekend break this evening could have their plans thrown into chaos as rain battered much of the UK today, making for difficult driving conditions.

Commuters and travellers have been urged not to travel over what could be the wettest August on record.

The threat of slow-moving, heavy thundery showers – which could cause torrential downpours – have also prompted a yellow thunderstorm warning in place from midnight on Friday to 6am on Saturday, and there have been warnings of possible damage to buildings from floodwater or lightning strikes, as well as power cuts.

The Met Office said the band of heavy rain that had pushed across the country would be followed by heavy showers or thunderstorms.

Amid the heavy rain and the threat of flooding, the Environment Agency advised people to ‘stay away from swollen rivers’ and not to drive through flood water as ‘just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car’.

Experts studying emerging cracks in cliffs near Watergate Bay near Newquay, Cornwall, found a boulder and debris had crashed down on to a beach there and the area was cordoned off by coastguards who warned the public to stay away as the area has been notorious for landslips.