Violent 24 hour storm to batter Britain as April set to be wettest for 250 years Flooding and fallen trees are forecast. Damaged properties, downed power lines, bridge closures and cancelled ferries are likely. The Met Office is considering upgrading the severe weather alert for England and Wales to amber - meaning "be prepared" - one level below the maximum red alert meaning "take action." The Environment Agency expects to issue dozens more flood warnings and alerts. Independent forecasters Netweather predicted 70mph gusts in Wales. Deluges mean England and Wales are on track for the wettest April since records began in 1766. The Met Office said the countries had 96.3mm of rain from April 1-25. Downpours since mean this month's total is on course to top the wettest April on record, the 142.6mm in 2000. April's average rainfall is just 65mm. But the Environment Agency said the drought - the worst since 1921 - is so severe that levels of groundwater, the main source of drinking water in the south and east, actually got worse over the last week. Water companies extract water from rain-soaked low-level rock - but experts say soil is so dry that April's downpours have failed to filter down, instead running off to cause floods, with other rainfall lost to evaporation and thirsty plants. Of 27 groundwater measuring sites across England and Wales, 14 are exceptionally low - up from 13 last week after levels fell at Ampney Crucis, Glos. Seven sites are notably low. Just four are normal or higher - all in the north-west. Reservoir levels also showed little or no change over the last week, staying the same or increasing by just a few percentage points. Met Office forecaster Sarah Holland said: "Sunday will be very wet, very windy and very unpleasant, with the risk of localised flooding and falling trees. People need to be aware of this. We're monitoring the level of the alert and there is a chance this warning may be upgraded to amber. Met Office deputy chief forecaster Dan Suri said: "We're expecting rain in the south from late Saturday afternoon and across much of the UK during Saturday night and Sunday. There will be 50mm of rain and strong winds for many areas, with perhaps inland gales and severe gales with gusts of 50 or 60mph on the south coast. Netweather forecaster Paul Michaelwhite said: "Damaging gusts will consistently reach 60mph, touching 70mph in west Wales." The Environment Agency said: "We advise people to be alert for localised flooding across parts of the south and Midlands. We are likely to issue flood warnings. We are monitoring river levels, checking flood defences and removing any blockages that may increase the risk of flooding. National drought co-ordinator Polly Chancellor said: "The rain boosts farmers and gardeners and delays water companies applying for further drought permits. But dry soils mean most rain is either soaked up or runs off causing flooding. Most rain is not reaching down far enough to top up groundwater, which is what we really need to make a difference to the drought. So it is still important we all continue to use water wisely.