Storm Henk chaos continues with A417 closure and huge number of flood warnings in force

It's the morning after the storm before today (Wednesday, January 3) and Gloucestershire is still reeling from the strong winds and heavy rain of Storm Henk[1] on Tuesday. The county was under a rare amber severe weather warning for wind yesterday, as well as separate yellow warnings for heavy rain and wind. No such weather[2] warnings are in force from the Met Office[3] for the county today, but more heavy rain has been forecast and there could even be some hail in parts of the West Country, after being forecast for Cheltenham.

There are many Flood Warnings in place across the county with river levels set to remain high until the weekend. The Environment Agency[4] warnings start at the top of the county in Tewkesbury and continue down to Sandhurst and Maisemore just north of Gloucester. Further south in the county, a flood warning is in force for Nailsworth Stream at Nailsworth, Woodchester and Dudbridge.

Fallen trees caused problems across the county, including a tree falling at the A46 Teddington Hands[7] roundabout, on the A433 near Kemble[8], and in Stow. There were also reports of motorists getting stuck in flood water. A number of roads remain closed[9] in Gloucestershire, most around the Tewkesbury area.

The closure of the A417[10] at Maisemore continues, as does the closure of Sandhurst Lane near Gloucester. Railways have also been impacted by flooding, with disruption continuing on Wednesday. The Energy Networks Association - which collates data from all energy providers - estimated that 10,000 customers were without power on Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday, a woman was injured by a falling tree in Orpington in south east London as high winds hit. The Metropolitan Police were called at 3.14pm to reports that a woman had been struck by a tree in Station Approach - injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. The strongest gales were recorded at the Needles Old Battery in the Isle of Wight, where wind speeds reached 94mph.

Gusts of 81mph were reached at Exeter Airport in Devon,[11] and top winds hit 71mph at the Isle of Portland in Dorset and also at Mumbles Head in Glamorgan. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service was called out to The Ford in Kenilworth to rescue a motorist who got stuck trying to drive through flood water. In Greenwich, south-east London, a large panel of scaffolding fell from either side of a building on Creek Road due to the heavy winds.

Full list of road closures

• A417 at Maisemore
• Sandhurst Lane, Gloucester

• Walton Cardiff Lane, Tewkesbury

• Howells Road, Tewkesbury
• Swilgate Road, Tewkesbury
• Rock Street, Chaceley
• Northway Lane, Tewkesbury
• Ham Road, Tirley
• Gander Lane, Tewkesbury
• St Mary's Road, Tewkesbury
• Wainlode Lane, Apperley/Norton
• Haw Bridge B4213, Tirley
• Town Street, Tirley

Full list of flood warnings

River Avon

• River Avon at Birlingham and Eckington
• River Avon at Evesham
• River Avon at Fladbury and Cropthorne
• River Avon at Harvington and Offenham
• River Avon at Pershore and Wick
• River Avon at Strensham and Bredon
• River Avon at Twyning
• River Avon at Wyre Piddle

River Severn

• River Severn at Abbots Court, Deerhurst
• River Severn at Apperley and The Leigh
• River Severn at Ashleworth
• River Severn at Bushley
• River Severn at Chaceley and Haw Bridge
• River Severn at Clifton and Severn Stoke
• River Severn at Dunns Lane, Upton upon Severn
• River Severn at East Waterside, Upton upon Severn
• River Severn at Hanley Castle, Rectory Road in Upton upon Severn and Saxons Lode
• River Severn at Hanley Road, Upton upon Severn
• River Severn at Sandhurst and Maisemore
• River Severn at Severn Ham, Tewkesbury
• River Severn at Tewkesbury

River Wye

• River Wye at Rotherwas, Hereford
• River Wye from Hereford to Ross-On-Wye
• River Wye in North Hereford
• River Wye in South Hereford
• Nailsworth Stream at Nailsworth, Woodchester and Dudbridge
• Sherston Avon at Malmesbury
• Tetbury Avon at Malmesbury

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References

1. ^ Storm Henk (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
2. ^ weather (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
3. ^ Met Office (www.metoffice.gov.uk)
4. ^ Environment Agency (www.gov.uk)
5. ^ Flooding live updates after Storm Henk crushed cars and flooded roads (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
6. ^ Serious crash closes A419 near M4 junction with huge diversions in place (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
7. ^ A46 Teddington Hands (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
8. ^ A433 near Kemble (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
9. ^ remain closed (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
10. ^ A417 (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
11. ^ Devon, (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
12. ^ iPhone (go.skimresources.com)
13. ^ Android (play.google.com)