Storm Henk battered Britain today with 80mph gales and two inches of rain, causing widespread chaos as it swept across the country. The Met Office had issued an urgent amber wind warning for southern England, including London, just one hour before the storm made landfall at 10 am this morning. The storm, which was named by meteorologists, is the eighth to be named in just over three months.
The amber warning covered a 400-mile swathe of Britain from Cornwall in the west to Norfolk in the east, with forecasters warning of ‘very wild outdoor conditions’ until 8 pm today. Mayor Sadiq Khan cautioned of a ‘potential risk to life and property’ in London. The Met Office issued warnings of flying debris, potential injuries, and damage to buildings, urging people to avoid coastal areas if possible.
Storm Henk first hit South West England and South Wales, causing disruptions in those areas. It later moved to strike parts of southern England, the South Midlands, and East Anglia. The severe weather conditions led to several significant disruptions across the country:
- Kew Gardens and Wakehurst were forced to shut, with the cancellation of the Christmas at Kew event.
- Rail travel was severely impacted, with disruptions on more than 20 lines due to flooding, track faults, and signaling issues. Train services on LNER, Northern, CrossCountry, and GWR were among those affected.
- Commuters faced difficulties returning to work as some rail lines experienced signal failures.
- Okehampton station in Devon saw a bridge roof blown onto the GWR tracks.
- Severe delays were reported on several major roads, including the M18 and M48.
- The Environment Agency issued 114 flood warnings and 261 alerts for England.
- Parts of Richmond Park, Kensington Gardens, and Greenwich Park were closed.
- The London Fire Brigade advised people to secure outdoor decorations and bins.
- Nearly 2,000 properties in Cornwall lost power, with the possibility of more outages.
- Firefighters in Berkshire encouraged drivers to avoid unnecessary journeys.
The Met Office warned of gusts of up to 80mph on exposed coasts in the west and up to 70mph winds inland. Yellow rain and wind warnings were also in place for a larger area until 9 pm.
In Warwickshire, firefighters used an inflatable craft to rescue people from a car stuck in floodwater at a ford in Kenilworth. Leicestershire experienced numerous reports of crashes and breakdowns due to flooding.
Top wind speeds of 81mph at Exeter in Devon and 77mph at Newquay in Cornwall were recorded. The storm caused cancellations in road, rail, air, and ferry services, leading to travel disruptions for many Britons returning to work after the Christmas holidays.
The Met Office faced criticism on social media for naming Storm Henk so late, but meteorologist Jamie Driver defended the timing, stating that the warning was issued ahead of the storm’s anticipated arrival.
Looking ahead, the UK can expect unsettled weather through the week, with westerly Atlantic conditions dominating. However, there are early signs of higher pressure developing over the weekend and into next week, potentially bringing lower temperatures and a more settled weather pattern.
The severe weather conditions served as a challenging start to the new year for many, with widespread disruptions across transportation networks and communities. As the storm continues to impact various regions, authorities advise caution and preparation for further weather-related challenges.
