Abandoned cars and flooding have blocked the M5, as heavy rain lashed parts of England on Friday.
The motorway was brought to a standstill while fire crews worked to pump water away from the motorway near Bristol.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service said northbound was closed between J16 for Aztec West and J14 for Thornbury, while southbound was closed from J14 to J15, and advised motorists to avoid the area.
Stranded motorists have been rescued but the road is expected to remain closed while floodwaters are cleared.
Steven Basterfield, from National Highways, said: “It’s run off from the fields either side of the motorway and it’s a real multi-agency response.
“There’s extensive flooding in the area so it is going to take some time, but the pumps do seem to be having a positive effect.”
The Met Office issued an amber warning for areas of the Midlands and the south of the country overnight, with the advisory expiring at 6am.
A yellow rain warning persists for large parts of England and Wales before the wet weather eases into the afternoon.
Areas affected by the amber warning – including Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands – were struck by flash floods on Friday morning.
Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said that northern and central parts of England and Wales had been hit the hardest.
He said: “There will continue to be localised flooding. A lot of these areas have been hit by rain in the past few weeks which means the ground is already saturated.
“The amber warning is in place until 6am and the wider yellow warning will be lifted at 9am. We’re expecting it to then ease up and become a bit drier.
“But rivers often take time to respond so we’re expecting disruption to continue in central and southern parts throughout the morning. Those planning to travel on Friday should factor this into their journey times.”
The Environment Agency has issued 67 flood warnings – when flooding is expected – and 123 flood alerts in England, with National Resources Wales issuing eight flood alerts.
Recent flooding in areas including Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire has brought widespread travel disruption and damage to properties.
According to the Met Office warning, the weather could lead to difficult driving conditions and road closures. Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded and there is a “good chance” some communities will be cut off.
Delays and cancellations to train and bus services and power cuts are also likely, with footage shared on social media showing cars battling through partially submerged roads.
Tewkesbury borough council, in Gloucestershire, has been handing out sandbags to residents to help protect their homes.
Parts of the country saw more than the monthly average rainfall on Monday.
