Storm Henk Wreaks Havoc with 80mph Winds Across Britain
Storm Henk slammed Britain today, bringing fierce 80mph gales and heavy rain that drenched the country with two inches in places. The Met Office issued a sharp amber wind warning just one hour before the storm struck at 10am, targeting southern England including London. It’s the eighth named storm in just over three months, and it certainly lived up to the hype.
Amber Alert Covers 400 Miles – Warnings of Danger
The amber warning stretched from Cornwall all the way to Norfolk, covering a massive 400-mile swathe. Authorities warned of “very wild outdoor conditions” until 8pm. London’s Mayor warned residents of a “potential risk to life and property.”strong>
The Met Office urged people to steer clear of coastal areas and warned of flying debris, injuries, and damage to buildings. The London Fire Brigade also stepped up warnings, urging folks to secure bins and outdoor decorations ahead of the chaos.
Transport Chaos and Park Closures Hit Hard
- Kew Gardens and Wakehurst shut their gates, cancelling the popular Christmas at Kew event.
- Travel erupted into chaos: More than 20 rail lines suffered flooding, signaling faults, and track damage. Services on LNER, Northern, CrossCountry, and GWR were hit hardest.
- Commuters faced havoc as signal failures delayed trains returning to London.
- Okehampton station in Devon saw a bridge roof torn off and dumped onto railway tracks.
- Major roads including the M18 and M48 faced severe delays due to the storm.
- The Environment Agency issued a staggering 114 flood warnings and 261 flood alerts across England.
- Green spaces like Kensington Gardens, Greenwich Park, and other key parks were forced to close.
- Nearly 2,000 homes in Cornwall were left powerless with more outages expected.
- Berkshire firefighters urged drivers to avoid all non-essential journeys.
Rescues Amid Floodwaters and Record Wind Gusts
Firefighters in Kenilworth were forced to rescue stranded motorists trapped in floodwaters with inflatable crafts. Leicestershire reported numerous crashes and breakdowns caused by flash flooding.
Winds hit a peak of 81mph in Exeter and 77mph in Newquay as Storm Henk tore through the south west. Across the country, road, rail, air, and ferry services were disrupted, stranding travellers and commuters just after the Christmas holidays.
Met Office Defends Naming Delay as Storm Causes Unrest
The late naming of Storm Henk sparked backlash on social media, with critics accusing the Met Office of dragging its feet. Meteorologist Jamie Driver fired back, confirming the warning was issued well ahead of Henk’s arrival.
The rest of the week promises unsettled weather, with westerly Atlantic lows dominating. However, forecasters hint at a possible shift next week, as higher pressure moves in – bringing chillier, more settled conditions.
Storm Henk’s brutal start to 2024 leaves Britons battered but warned to stay alert as severe weather threats continue to loom.
