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:
