An 85-year-old British woman was found dead in Albufeira, Portugal this morning after Storm Claudia hit a holiday campsite.
A regional commander of the Algarve identified the woman and said dozens of people were injured in the region after “extreme winds” struck.
It comes as heavy wind and rain battered the UK during the onslaught from Storm Claudia with flooding in parts of Wales posing a “significant risk to life”.
Drone footage has revealed the damage of the devastating floods in Monmouth where a major incident was declared in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The downpours will be replaced with below-freezing temperatures and potentially snow in the coming days.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the cold weather warning for parts of the Midlands and northern England from Monday as temperatures are set to drop by 8 degrees.
Colder conditions could bring snow showers to northern parts of the UK and hilltops with the first frosts of the season forecast for the south on Wednesday, according to the Met Office.
Key Points
- More than 190 flood alerts issued and 86 flood warnings
- Severe flooding hits parts of south Wales overnight
- Storm Claudia causes power outages and flooding in Ireland
- Health warning issued ahead of cold weather next week
- Cold weather could bring snow next week, Met Office says
- British woman killed by storm in the Algarve
Resident describes 'fierce' weather in the Algarve
20:03 , Nicole Wootton-CaneBruce Hawker, a journalist at The Resident Newspaper in the Algarve, has spoken to Sky News about the “fierce” weather blasting the region.
He told the outlet it was the most "severe weather phenomena" he's witnessed in his 48 years of living there.
But he said it must be put into perspective in comparison to weather events in other parts of the world.
"This isn't like the typhoon in the Philippines or a hurricane in Florida, the damage has been limited to fragile structures and trees,” he said.
Rail disruptions continue across UK
19:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRail disruptions are continuing across the UK due to the impact of Storm Claudia.
National Rail is urging people to check their journeys before travelling, with a number of changes in place across the network.
Current weather related disruptions:
- Flooding between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple
- Poor weather to affect various Great Western Railway services
- Disruption between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley
- Poor weather to affect various Northern services
- No trains between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport
- No trains between Stockport and Macclesfield
- Poor weather to affect various Transport for Wales services
Flood warnings remain in place across England and Wales
19:02 , Nicole Wootton-CaneFlood warnings remain in place across England and Wales this evening, with authorities warning of “severe flooding” in some areas.
In England, there are 44 warnings in place in areas where flooding is “likely”. These include Bristol, Keswick, and York.
In Wales, authorities are warning of “severe flooding” in four places, including Monmouth, Osbaston, and Skenfrith.
In pictures: 'Major incident' declared in south Wales
18:30 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Storm Claudia cases 'significant challenges' for rail networks ahead of rugby
18:15 , Nicole Wootton-CaneStorm Claudia has caused “significant challenges” for rail networks in Wales as fans flock to see Wales v Japan in Cardiff.
Rail bosses said they are facing “severe capacity constraints” impacting those travelling to the match.
In a post on X, Transport for Wales said it was working on the ground to ensure fans will be able to get home safely.
⚠️Storm Claudia has presented significant challenges across Wales and has led to unit displacement causing capacity constraints.
— Trafnidiaeth Cymru / Transport for Wales (@transport_wales) November 15, 2025
Thank you for your patience as we work to restore services.
👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/xT9kgMGhv8
Authorities warn more flooding possible despite expired alerts
18:01 , Nicole Wootton-CaneCommunities have been warned that further flooding is possible over the weekend after Storm Claudia brought high winds and heavy rain.
Thousands of homes and businesses were left without power as rain weather warnings lifted in the south-east on Saturday morning.
Dramatic flooding was reported in Portarlington, on the border of counties Laois and Offaly, despite no rain warning being issued for those counties, as well as in Co Wexford.
Fallen trees blocked roads in parts of the country and social media videos appear to show sea foam being dramatically whipped onto shore at Loughshinny, Dublin and Bray, Co Wicklow.
The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) convened a meeting of all local authorities, relevant government departments, state agencies and utility providers on Saturday afternoon to discuss the response to the storm.
It said the impacts of heavy rain will continue in parts over the weekend, with further flooding possible in Leinster and Munster as some rivers had not yet peaked.
As there had been rainfall in previous days, many grounds are “already saturated”, it said, adding that many rivers were “at capacity”.
Storm Claudia mapped: Where rain could fall today as flooding triggers ‘danger to life’ fears
17:30 , Rebecca Whittaker
Storm Claudia mapped: Where rain may fall as flooding prompts ‘danger to life’ fears
People urged not to drive through flood water
17:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEnvironment bosses are urging people not to risk driving through floodwater amid Storm Claudia.
The storm has brought severe flooding to parts of the UK, with a major incident declared in Monmouth.
But the Environment Agency warned drivers it takes just 30cm of water to float your car, urging them to “take care” when driving.
There is still a lot of standing water on our roads so please take care when driving – just 30cm is enough to float your car.
— Environment Agency (@EnvAgency) November 15, 2025
Get flood warnings before setting off: https://t.co/XnuRoykfec pic.twitter.com/n2Khq6vrZJ
Portuguese PM send 'heartfelt condolences' to family of British woman killed in Algarve
16:32 , Nicole Wootton-CanePortugal’s prime minister Luis Montenegro has expressed his “heartfelt condolences” to the family of an 85-year-old woman killed in Albufeira.
The woman, who has not yet been named, died at a campsite on Saturday morning amid extreme winds in the area.
In the statement on X, Mr Montenegro also paid tribute to the emergency workers responding to the storm, saying they worked “with full commitment and the greatest possible speed”.
“Faced with an extreme atmospheric phenomenon in Albufeira, Civil Protection responded with full commitment and the greatest possible speed, as has been the practice in this very demanding week in terms of weather conditions,” he wrote.
“Unfortunately, serious consequences could not be avoided. I express heartfelt condolences to the family of the fatality and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Ice cold Arctic winds could bring snow
16:10 , Rebecca WhittakerSnow could be on the way for parts of the UK as a cold snap arrives.
The Met Office explains this is because cool Arctic air will be plunging down from the north.
After an exceptionally mild week across many areas, we are going to get a taste of winter as cold Arctic air plunges down from the north
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 15, 2025
So it's probably time to get the big coat out 🥶 pic.twitter.com/VHqQ5ja6OZ
Pictured: Monmouth hit by fast slowing flood water
15:40 , Rebecca Whittaker
Breaking: British woman killed by storm in the Algarve
15:14 , Rebecca WhittakerAn 85-year-old British woman had died at a holiday campsite in Albufeira, Portugal this morning.
Vitor Vaz Pinto said dozens of people were injured in the area after Storm Claudia hit, two of whom were seriously injured, Sky News reported.
Media reports revealed the woman was initially missing and was later found at the campsite dead.
Flood wrecked homes and businesses in Wales
15:00 , Rebecca WhittakerMonmouth residents have described how the floods have wrecked their homes and businesses.
Susie Martinez, 42, told BBC Radio Wales how “terrified” she felt when she was rescued from their flat along with her children.
"We had to climb out of the window and into a boat," she said.
Business owner Catherine Hall said her shop remained open despite the floods causing damage to her stock.
"It's devastating. There's worth thousands and thousands of stock gone,” she said.
Watch: Drone footage shows devastating Monmouth flooding after Storm Claudia
14:50 , Rebecca WhittakerMet Office says mild weather could turn into frosts and snow
14:40 , Rebecca WhittakerDownpours which battered the UK on Friday will be replaced with below-freezing temperatures and potentially snow in the coming days.
“It’s certainly going to turn much colder over the next couple of days, there will be an 8 to 10 degree drop in temperature, you will be struggling to get double figures,” Simon Partridge, Met Office meteorologist told the Independent.
“We will probably see our first widespread countrywide frost on Monday morning and the lost temperatures will be somewhere between -5C and -7C.”
But those frosts could turn to snow he explains.
“On Tuesday there is a small area of low pressure that is going to bring in a band of rain, sleet and hill snow,” he added.
This is likely to hit northern parts of the UK - Scotland and parts of the Pennines, he explained.
But as on Wednesday and Thursday there will be more northerly winds which could cause snowfall in Scotland, North Sea coast, North York Moors and possibly Wales or even Dartmoor.
He also stressed to keep an eye out for ice warnings next week following wet conditions.
Woman stranded in floodwaters climbed onto the roof of her car
14:20 , Rebecca WhittakerA woman has told of how she was stranded in the floodwaters and left with no option but to scramble onto the roof of her car.
Bethan Turner told BBC Radio Wales she was traveling back Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, from Hereford station with her father and boyfriend when the car was swept into fast-flowing water.
They became “stuck” and decided to climb onto the roof for safety as fire crews tried to rescue them.
She explained the car was pushed into the water before being stopped by a tree. She said the “second the car stopped, my dad yelled for us to all climb on to the roof".
"The water was up to the windows,” she added. "It was so strong and so powerful, the firefighters were saying under no circumstances get in the water.”
In the dark, fire crews managed to find and bring them to safety.
Watch: Monmouth hit by severe flooding as Storm Claudia brings 'danger to life' warning
14:00 , Rebecca WhittakerCloud and drizzle forecast following heavy rain from Storm Claudia
13:30 , Rebecca WhittakerWeather warnings for wind and rain have now cleared across the UK, but the Met Office is still forecasting showers and cloudy conditions.
Sunny spells for much of Scotland this afternoon🌤️
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 15, 2025
But for most, lots of cloud and spots of drizzle☁️
Feeling chilly in the north and milder in the south🌡️ pic.twitter.com/p3oZZOyLue
Where are the flood warnings in England?
13:00 , Rebecca WhittakerAs weather warnings across England clear, so have many of the weather warnings issued by the Environmental Agency.
There are currently 58 flood warnings and 150 flood alerts.
Flood warnings have been issued in parts of the Midlands, south West and North of England.
It comes as a major incident has been declared in south Wales after the area was battered with wind and heavy rain during the onslaught from Storm Claudia.
The warning, declared in the early hours of Saturday morning, means there is a "significant risk to life", with emergency services working round-the clock to carry out rescues and evacuations.
Where will it snow next week?
12:30 , Rebecca WhittakerIt is too early for forecasters to say for certain where, if any, snow will settle.
But wintery showers of sleet and snow could move over northern Scotland, Northern Ireland, the North Yorkshire Moors, west Wales and the moors of south-west England, the BBC reported.
That’s because this area is exposed to cold winds from the north which could bring some snow over Scotland and northern England on Tuesday and spread to the Midlands and south-east England on Wednesday morning.
Monmouth shops left underwater as ‘major incident’ declared after severe flooding
12:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Monmouth shops left underwater as ‘major incident’ declared after severe flooding
Cold weather could bring snow next week, Met Office says
11:35 , Rebecca WhittakerDownpours which battered the UK on Friday will be replaced with below-freezing temperatures and potentially snow in the coming days.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the cold weather warning for parts of the Midlands and northern England from Monday as temperatures are set to drop by 8 degrees.
Colder conditions could bring snow showers to northern parts of the UK and hilltops with the first frosts of the season forecast for the south on Wednesday, according to the Met Office.
The long-range forecast predicts that by Wednesday colder conditions will extent south bringing some snow showers into northern parts, and the first frosts of the season for many parts of the south.
Towards the end of November there is likely to be more wintery showers and hill snow in the north.
Storm Claudia mapped: Where rain could fall today as flooding triggers ‘danger to life’ fears
11:30 , Rebecca WhittakerStorm Claudia mapped: Where rain may fall as flooding prompts ‘danger to life’ fears
Power outages reported after Storm Claudia hits Ireland’s south-east
11:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Power outages reported after Storm Claudia hits Ireland’s south-east
Rail: Storm Claudia damage disrupting tens of thousands of journeys
11:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:
Tens of thousands of rail passengers are facing difficult journeys on Saturday as a result of damage caused by Storm Claudia.
Flooding in the Swindon area and between Chippenham and Bath Spa closed the main Great Western Railway links to Bristol and South Wales.
“The flood water is now receding allowing the lines to be reopened,” says National Rail.
Passengers are warned: “Trains between these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised as services return to normal.”
Many GWR trains have been cancelled or are running with long delays.
On the Wales-England border, no trains can run between Shrewsbury and Cardiff “until the water levels recede”.
The CrossCountry line between Gloucester and Severn Tunnel Junction has now reopened after flooding, but delays and cancellations will continue as disruption clears.
In North Wales, Blaenau Ffestiniog station is closed.
In northwest England, the line between Macclesfield and Stockport is closed due to damage to the overhead wires.
“Train services running through these stations may be diverted via Crewe,” says National Rail.
The route is the main link between London Euston and Manchester.
Met Office weather forecast for the week ahead
10:40 , Rebecca WhittakerToday:
Remaining cloudy and damp across England and Wales with patchier rain and drizzle compared to Friday. Drier and brighter for much of Northern Ireland and Scotland, with some sunny spells. Mild in the south, cold in the north.
Tonight:
Clear skies across Scotland, extending into Northern Ireland and northern England with a touch of frost. Cloudier for the rest of England and Wales with some drizzle in places.
Sunday:
Dull in the south to start with further drizzle, this slowly clearing. Elsewhere, largely dry with bright spells though a band of showers moving into the far north.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
A cold and frosty start on Monday with plenty of sunshine and the odd shower. Risk of rain, sleet and hill snow on Tuesday and into Wednesday. Overnight frosts are expected.
Watch: Monmouth hit by severe flooding as Storm Claudia brings 'danger to life' warning
10:20 , Rebecca WhittakerMidlands town sees 96mm of rainfall
10:00 , Rebecca WhittakerStorm Claudia brought heavy rain across the UK, but the Met Office has calculated where had the most rainfall.
The most rain was seen in the midlands at Mount St Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire recording 96 mm.
Storm Claudia brought lots of rain leading to flooding as well as widespread travel disruption
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 15, 2025
Top totals include Mount St Bernard Abbey in Leicestershire recording 96 mm since Friday 14th November 0700 am👇 pic.twitter.com/qfclpeFw3b
Watch: UK faces travel chaos as Storm Claudia lands
09:40 , Rebecca WhittakerYellow warning for rain remains over Northern Ireland
09:21 , Rebecca WhittakerA yellow warning for heavy rain remains in place in Northern Ireland today until midday.
The Met Office has forecast strong easterly winds and rain. It said accumulations of 10 to 20 mm are expected fairly widely, with potentially in excess of 40 mm over the Mourne mountains.
More than 190 flood alerts issued and 86 flood warnings
09:10 , Rebecca WhittakerEnvironment Agency has issued 86 flood warnings and 194 flood alerts as some areas face fast-flowing and deep floodwater posing a “danger to life”.
Flood barriers have gone up in several towns in the West Midlands and emergency services are working to evacuate residents in Monmouth.
Public urged to avoid Monmouth as flooding continues
08:50 , Rebecca WhittakerA major incident has been declared as the aftermath of Storm Claudia continues and causes flooding in Monmouth, south Wales.
Area Manager Matt Jones said conditions remained challenging due to fast-moving water, blocked roads and pressure on infrastructure.
He said: “This is a large-scale incident, and our crews and partners have been working tirelessly through the night and into today to help those affected.
“I want to thank everyone involved for the professionalism and care they continue to show in very difficult circumstances.
“I would urge the public to avoid the Monmouth area completely where possible. The flooding is significant, and we need to keep routes clear to allow emergency services to reach the people who need us most. If you are in immediate danger with threat to life or property, or need urgent assistance, please call 999.”
Storm Claudia causes power outages and flooding in Ireland
08:38 , Rebecca WhittakerPower outages and floods have hit parts of Ireland.
Thousands of homes and businesses were without power on Saturday morning as rain weather warnings lifted.
A status orange rain warning was place for counties Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow until 8am on Saturday, while a status yellow rain warning was in place in 10 other counties, mostly along the east and south coasts.
But Keith Leonard, national director for Fire and Emergency Management, warned a risk of flooding would remain after the weather alerts lifted, as water levels could still rise, and that fallen leaves clogging drains were a “complicating factor”.
Dog swept away in fast-flowing Redditch river
08:20 , Rebecca WhittakerA dog was swept away by the river in Redditch after going in the water to chase a stick at Arrow Country Park.
The dog’s owner AJ Abrar said he tried to rescue four-year-old Bonnie, but was forced to let go and save himself.
Emergency services rescued the dog owner after a passer-by saw him go after the dog in the river.
"We're going to go look for a body, or anything, whatever we can find, and start searching until we can bring her home," he told the BBC.
"She was an amazing dog, she was a TikTok star."
Flood barriers have gone up in West Midland towns
08:10 , Rebecca WhittakerFlooding has hit the West Midlands with water flowing “like a river” seen in Ewyas Harold in Herefordshire, according to the BBC.
The news site reported flood barriers have gone up in Bewdley, Worcestershire and are due to be erected in Shrewsbury.
Strong winds have also caused more than 50 trees to fall in Staffordshire and rail services were disrupted across the region.
Pictured: Storm Claudia causes flooding and travel delays
08:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Severe flooding hits parts of south Wales overnight
07:40 , Rebeca WhittakerSevere flooding has hits parts of south Wales.
At 1.30am on Saturday South Wales Fire and Rescue declared a major incident due to flooding in Monmouth.
The area has seen fast-moving water, blocked routes and pressure on local infrastructure, Wales Online reported.
Crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS University Trust (WAST), Mountain Rescue and the Coastguard have been working to carrying out rescues, evacuations and welfare checks on residents.
Storm Claudia has brought down power lines and uprooted trees
07:27 , Rebecca WhittakerStorm Claudia has been wreaking havoc across the North of England.
Residents were evacuated from homes in Bollington, Cheshire, after a tree fell on properties and brought down power lines, Manchester Evening News reported.
The news site also said a tree fell on a house in Oldham, near Manchester.
Lapland Manchester was also forced to close yesterday due to the stormy weather posing a safety risk to the public.
Watch: UK faces travel chaos as Storm Claudia lands
07:00 , Athena StavrouCold weather alert issued
06:00 , Athena StavrouDownpours which battered parts of England and Wales on Friday will be replaced with below-freezing temperatures as a yellow alert for cold weather was issued.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the cold weather warning for parts of the Midlands and northern England from Monday, and the Environment Agency has warned flooding will continue throughout the weekend.
The alert is in place from 8am on Monday November 17 until 8am on Friday November 21.
It covers the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West and Yorkshire and The Humber.
It warns that there could be a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
