Alton Towers rides were suddenly brought to an abrupt halt with thrillseekers forced to leave carriages as the theme park was hit by a thunderstorm.
Thunder, lightning, and heavy rain have hit the UK today causing flash floods and power cuts, while a house has been pictured on fire in Corringham, Essex, after being hit by a bolt of electricity.
There are currently seven flood warnings and 35 alerts in place from the Environment Agency which are mainly in Yorkshire and Lancashire where the worst of the storms are currently striking.
Most of the country is blanketed with Met Office warnings for either rain or thunderstorms, with more than half a month’s rainfall possibly landing.
And at Alton Towers revellers wearing ponchos could be seen being guided out of a carriage on The Smiler; one of the rides that had to temporarily close, amid the heavy rainfall.
The theme park said the decision to stop and close some of the rides at the park was due to the 'adverse weather conditions' and was a 'precautionary measure' to 'protect the health and wellbeing of employees and guests.'
Its official app showed that rides such as The Smiler and Oblivion were among those that temporarily closed on Sunday.
A spokesperson for Alton Towers told the Manchester Evening News: “Due to today’s adverse weather conditions some of our rides and attractions have temporarily closed.
"This is a precautionary measure to protect the health and well-being of our employees and guests. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Footage shows cars caught in floods as the storms have moved northwards during the day and the Met Office has said that up to 80mm of rainfall could land.
An elderly woman was rescued from her home after a huge thunderstorm caused her road in Radcliffe, Bury, to flood, with the street blocked off and fire crews at the scene.
Pictures show Water Street submerged on Sunday evening with fire crews at the scene.
The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene on Water Street in Radcliffe at about 7pm, where one elderly woman needed assistance getting out of her flooded home.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just after 7pm on Sunday 18 June, fire crews were called to reports of flooding on Water Street, Radcliffe.
“A fire engine from Bolton North station quickly attended the incident. Firefighters helped an elderly woman out of her home, which had flooded, and left her in the care of a family member. Fire crews remain in attendance assisting other residents.”
A yellow thunderstorm warning almost entirely covers England and Wales between noon and midnight, and there is also one until 9pm in Northern Ireland.
It warns of heavy showers, the potential for frequent lightning, strong winds and hail - which could cause flooding, travel issues and power cuts.
In northern England and Scotland, a yellow heavy rain warning is in place from 7pm on Sunday until noon on Monday.
The seven flood warnings from the Environment Agency are for Bagley Dike at Grimesthorpe, Batley Beck at Bradford Road through central Batley, Batley Beck at Carlinghow and Crossbank, Batley Beck at central Batley and surrounding areas, Car Brook at Darnall, Hunsworth Beck at Oakenshaw and Pimlico Brook at Clitheroe, along Warwick Drive and Dorset Drive.
