Britons suffering record-breaking rain misery

Flood warnings have been in place across the UK

LONDON (England) -- England and Wales has had the wettest autumn since records began almost 300 years ago, weather experts have confirmed.

And with autumn almost over, forecasters said yet more rain was expected.

The year 2000 has seen the wettest autumn in England and Wales since 1852 when 455.8 mm (17.94 inches) fell -- 75 percent more than the normal rainfall.

This year there has been 77 percent more rainfall than average, and a massive 460 mm (18.11 inches) falling -- the wettest autumn since records began for England and Wales in 1727.

The new record for rainfall comes after the region has been battered by rain and storms, with widespread flooding across many counties.

Severe flood warnings have been in place, in some areas for many weeks, and householders across the whole of the UK have suffered deluges of water in their homes.

CNN weather anchor Fritz Nivose said Britain could expect more rain over the next few days.

He said people should not rush too quickly to connect the record rainfall to global warming.

He said: "It is safe to say that the warming trend of our planet's climate will bring about more weather disasters in many parts of the world.

"However, It takes time to determine the difference between a 'weather event' and a 'climatological event.'

"The climate of western Europe varies widely at this time of year and it is not rare to see two or three times monthly rainfall averages in some areas."

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe, Cyprus' mild Mediterranean weather took a savage turn, as the island-state was pounded by a wild storm on Monday.

Torrential rain, hail and strong winds caused havoc, flooding homes and uprooting trees, authorities said.

The tourist resort of Paphos on the island's western coast was hit by a freak hailstorm early on Monday morning.

A deluge coupled with strong winds felled trees which crashed into vehicles.

The weather also affected power supplies to the region, the electricity authority said.

Cyprus has been suffering a severe drought for the past four years, broken intermittently by unusually heavy storms.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Floods threaten ancient city
November 4, 2000
No respite for flood victims
November 2, 2000

UK Met Office
Cyprus Weather Centre

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