Moment tourists flee for their lives as cave floods in torrential downpour - as Met Office warns half a month's rain could fall in just one hour in parts of Britain

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

This is the dramatic moment tourists were urgently evacuated out of a network of historic caves as water cascaded in from above during extreme flash flooding.
Stairways rapidly became waterfalls at the Marble Arch Caves in Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, yesterday afternoon as guides rushed to get everyone out.
Conditions had been dry when the tour began, but the power went out 15 minutes later before backup generators kicked in - and the power then went out again.
Water began pouring out into the caves and the entrance became impassable - with visitors describing scenes as being like 'something out of a Hollywood movie'.
Staff were praised for calmly leading everyone to safety and providing umbrellas for the group, who were then given clothes to change into once they were finally out.
It comes as heavy rain continued to hit much of the UK today and the Environment Agency warned drivers could become stranded in floodwater across the country.
Met Office thunderstorm warnings were issued today across much of England and Scotland - with up to 50mm (2in) of rain in just an hour, about a fortnight's worth.
The ongoing wet weather could bring significant travel disruption, and flood alerts have been issued urging motorists not to drive through deep or fast-flowing water.
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Meanwhile the third major hosepipe ban of summer began today, with Southern Water activating restrictions for households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
This follows a ban from South East Water in Kent and Sussex since last Friday, and in the Yorkshire Water area since July 11. A fourth ban from Thames Water begins tomorrow in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, most of Wiltshire and parts of Berkshire.
Despite three consecutive days of heavy rain, forecasters say this will do little to replenish groundwater reserves because it is running off very dry surfaces too fast to penetrate – and therefore the downpours are not enough to lift hosepipe bans.
Kim Mahon Hay and her husband Alistair Hay were among the group of 17 people visiting the Marble Arch Caves, a series of natural limestone caves near Enniskillen.
She told BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show: 'We had seen that it was going to be showery but we thought we'd dart in and out between things.
'We thought the caves would be perfect because if it does rain you're in the caves out of the rain. We definitely weren't expecting the rain to come down as heavy as it did.'
Ms Mahon Hay explained that they were about halfway through the tour when their guide received a radio message that there was torrential rain falling above.
She continued: 'Within minutes they started messaging to say the entrance in had become impassable and they were starting to send staff into the caves because the stairways then had become waterfalls.
Ms Mahon Hay also hailed staff for being 'absolutely amazing in dealing with the situation', with the group given refunds and free memorabilia.
Posting a video of the evacuation on Instagram, she added: 'Our tour group was in the centre of the caves at the time. The water starting pouring into the cave through the entrance and at the exit.
'Staff had to act fast and had no choice but to take us through the waterfalls of water pouring in. We were definitely not dressed for the occasion.'
Ms Mahon Hay also wrote: 'At the start we laughed I think with the adrenaline but the nerves definitely kicked in when staff said they had never seen anything like this before in their 20 years working there.
'Watching the videos back it could have been a very serious situation, but thankfully everyone got out safe and well. We were all soaked through to the skin and the staff gave us all blankets, hoodies from their gift shop and hot drinks to heat us up. It will be a date Ali definitely won't forget.'
Her husband added that guides 'kept everyone calm and no one felt in danger'.
Mr Hay told the Belfast Telegraph: 'Water started pouring out from the holes of the caves, staff above radioed down to say that there was rain in the surface.
'We didn't think it was anything too scary of course. We went into the caves and there was a big cascade of water near the exit walkway. We took a few minutes to figure out if we should just go back or go through the waterfall.
'They brought umbrellas out to help us not to get too soaked. But the guys were fantastic, they got us through, there was a heavy flow of water, they jumped to action quickly.
'They kept everyone calm and they got us dried off and hoodies to get changed into afterwards - there was torrential rain when we got out.'
He added that they intended to go back another time and said: 'It was actually quite the exciting adventure - it was like something out of a Hollywood movie.'
A Fermanagh and Omagh District Council spokesperson said: 'Yesterday a flash flood occurred within the Marble Arch Caves, as a result of sudden and intense rainfall in the area and surface run off into the cave system.'
'Thanks to the swift action of our trained team, all visitors inside the cave at the time were safely guided out of the caves to the visitor centre where they were provided with warm refreshments and dry clothing.
'This was a highly unusual weather event; one that has not occurred here before. The safety of our visitors and staff remains our top priority.
'The caves remain flooded and safety checks are ongoing. Cave tours remain cancelled until further notice. Those with bookings will be contacted by a member of the Marble Arch Caves team to rearrange or provide a refund.
'We thank our visitors for their calm cooperation and our staff for their professionalism during yesterday's weather related incident.
'Cuilcagh Boardwalk is also closed for safety inspections following yesterday's weather related event.'
Meanwhile the Environment Agency warned of an ongoing risk to motorists across the UK today due to the heavy rain.
Chris Wilding, flood duty manager at the agency, said: 'Slow-moving heavy showers and thunderstorms mean significant surface water flooding is possible across parts of the country today.
'Environment Agency teams will be out on the ground and supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.
'We urge people not to drive though flood water - it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.'
The rain is set to be heavy and persistent across eastern Northern Ireland and western Scotland, while central and southern areas in the UK will see a mix of sunny spells and scattered thundery showers.
The Met Office warned storms could pose a danger to life as well as damage to homes and businesses from flood water and lightning strikes, and transport delays and road closures.
Temperatures will vary significantly depending on cloud cover and rainfall, remaining cool in most parts of the country, but rising to around 25C in central England.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: 'We have a warning for rain in place for much of the day to come. Some flooding on the roads is possible.
'And it won't just be Northern Ireland. Parts of western Scotland, parts of Wales and the South West, we'll also see some rain at times through the day.
South East Water activated a hosepipe ban in the grey shaded area of Kent & Sussex last Friday
'Further east, it's a different set-up entirely. A mixture of sunny spells and scattered heavy showers for Scotland, northern England, parts of the Midlands and East Anglia in the South East.
'In those sunny spells, we could see temperatures get into the mid-20s. But when those showers come along, you'll really know about it.
'(There will be) some gusty winds, the potential for some hail, and certainly some frequent lightning and heavy rain as well.
'So, temperatures up to 25C in the warmest spots, but generally a little bit fresher out towards the west with the wind coming in from the Atlantic.
'By Monday evening, that rain will be starting to ease very slowly, but there'll still be showery outbreaks of rain through this evening and overnight for many northern and western parts of the UK.'
Yellow warnings for thunderstorms remain in place for parts of Scotland tomorrow, while the rest of the UK will see a more mixed picture of sunny spells and scattered showers, with the rain continuing until the evening.
Mr Morgan suggested that temperatures will remain high in places despite the adverse weather conditions.
He said: 'Tuesday is not looking as unsettled. The showers won't be quite as widespread or indeed as heavy as they have been.
'Nonetheless, there will be some showers or longer spells of rain for Scotland in particular, the west, (and) northwestern parts of England as well.
'But many parts of England and Wales (will be) actually getting away with a fairly reasonable day with some dry periods.
'And if the sunshine does break through that cloud at times, well, we might see temperatures reach 24C or 25C.'
Parts of Northern Ireland saw more than 85 per cent of the average July rainfall come down over a 24-hour period.
Forecasters had earlier warned that some areas could see half a month's worth of rain in less than a day.
The region normally records an average of 89mm of rain in July but falls of between 50 to 75mm had been predicted over a period of just 12 to 18 hours.
Killowen in Co Down recorded 68mm of rain since 5pm on Sunday, the Met Office said around 2pm today - the highest amount of rainfall across the UK.
It normally sees 80.75mm of rain for the whole month.
Elsewhere, Murlough in Co Down saw 60mm of rain in the same period – 87 per cent of its July average of 69mm.
The Met Office said other areas likely experienced higher amounts.
Forecasters had put a 24-hour yellow-level rain warning in place for Antrim, Armagh and Down until 6pm today.
A more intense amber-level warning was temporarily put in place overnight but lifted early.
Forecasters had warned that there was a risk that homes and businesses could be flooded.
In the Republic of Ireland, a status orange rain warning for Dublin, Louth, Meath and Wicklow came into effect from midnight and expired at 2pm today.
Irish national forecasting agency Met Eireann said there was a chance of thunderstorms amid persistent and heavy rain. A less severe warning for the Kildare region also expired at 2pm.