As Britons return home after celebrating Christmas with their families, Storm Gerrit has unleashed chaos across the United Kingdom, bringing hazardous weather conditions that have disrupted travel plans and posed risks to the public. The Met Office has issued a series of warnings covering various parts of the UK, with heavy rain, strong winds, and even snow causing disruptions and delays.
Rail Disruptions and Line Closures One of the major impacts of Storm Gerrit has been on the rail network. Passengers have experienced delays, speed restrictions, and line closures due to severe weather conditions. In Scotland and Wales, severe weather conditions have led to cancellations and disruptions, while in England, train services have been affected by staff shortages, track obstructions, and late-finishing engineering works. Some of the routes impacted include:
- No trains between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh until at least January 3 due to major flooding in the Highlands.
- Speed restrictions causing delays on nine routes until 9 am tomorrow.
- Various routes experiencing delays and cancellations, affecting services between cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness.
- Other regions, including South West Scotland, northern England, Northern Scotland, and North West England, have also faced rail disruptions.
Flood Alerts and Power Outages The Environment Agency has issued 94 flood alerts and two flood warnings across England, with areas such as Gog Brook in Warwick and the Upper River Hull area of East Yorkshire being affected. Thousands of people in England were without power, with reports citing 2,852 households experiencing power outages.
Road Closures and Traffic Disruptions Several major roads and highways have been affected by Storm Gerrit, with multiple incidents reported:
- The A82, a key route between Glasgow and Inverness via Fort William, was closed due to heavy snowfall and fallen trees.
- The M48 Severn Bridge was shut in both directions between junctions one (Aust) and two (Chepstow) due to strong winds, diverting traffic to the M4 Prince Of Wales Bridge.
- Flooding and fallen trees caused the closure of various roads, including the A82 at Milton near Glasgow.
- A tree falling on the B4308 between Cwmbach and Farriers in Carmarthenshire took out a power line.
- Emergency services responded to a crash on Mountain Road in Cefn Golau, South Wales.
Transport Disruptions Beyond Rail and Roads Storm Gerrit also disrupted other forms of transportation:
- Hovercraft services on the Isle of Wight were cancelled due to adverse weather.
- Alice Holt Forest site in Hampshire was closed due to high winds.
- National Trust properties across the UK, including Croome in Worcestershire and Cotehele in Cornwall, were shut because of the strong winds.
Met Office Warnings The Met Office issued nine weather warnings covering a range of conditions, including heavy rain, wind, and snow, affecting different regions across the UK.
While the severe weather conditions have caused widespread disruptions, authorities have urged residents and travellers to exercise caution, slow down, and drive according to the weather conditions to ensure safety. Commuters are advised to check for travel updates and stay informed about any further disruptions caused by Storm Gerrit.
As the UK grapples with the aftermath of this storm, meteorologists and transportation agencies continue to monitor the situation, providing real-time updates to keep the public safe and informed.
More news from Aberdeen
