Storm Henk – live: Woman crushed by tree and holiday park evacuated as 100mph wind leaves commuters stranded
Storm Henk: Heavy rainfall leads to flooding across England and Wales
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A man has been killed after a tree fell on his car as Storm Henk[1] brought 100mph winds and continues to wreak travel chaos across the UK. Gloucestershire Police[2] said a man in his 50s died[3] in the incident on Tetbury Road, near Kemble.
Officers were called at around 3.15pm with reports of a large fallen tree [4]on the A433 Tetbury Road near the junction with the A429. “Emergency services, including an air ambulance, attended the location which is between Tetbury and Cirencester[5],” a police spokesman said. Drivers have been asked to find alternative routes as the road remains closed while recovery and investigation work.
Meanwhile, National Highways said several major roads in England[6] are closed due to flooding as commuters continue to face travel disruption and delays on Wednesday. Great Western Railway said flooding due to Storm Henk has blocked several parts of its network, while disruption to South Western Railway (SWR) services from the impact of the storm is expected to continue throughout Wednesday. It comes as over 600 flood alerts and warnings remain in place on Wednesday morning e as 10,000 homes remain without power.
Show latest update 1704223845
Watch: Scaffolding collapses onto London street amid 60mph winds
Storm Henk: Scaffolding collapses onto London street amid 60mph winds
Alexander Butler2 January 2024 19:30
Watch: Plane sways as it lands in 60mph winds at Heathrow airport
Plane lands in strong winds at Heathrow airport as Storm Henk batters UK[9]
Watch the moment a plane lands in strong winds at Heathrow airport as Storm Henk hits the UK. The Met Office extended its amber weather alert as blustery weather moves across much of southern England, the Midlands and Wales, bringing galeforce winds and the possibility of snow. Coastal areas could see gusts of 70-80mph while inland areas could see 50-60mph winds during the storm.
The Environment Agency had issued 181 flood warnings and 331 flood alerts were in place by 4.30pm. Meanwhile, train companies have urged Brits not to travel amid high winds. Alexander Butler2 January 2024 19:15
Tree knocks down portico after blown over by wind in London
A tree has been blown over by the wind and crashed into a portico, knocking it down in Tooting, south west London.
A tree has been blown over by the wind and crashed into a portico, knocking it down in Tooting, south west London
(PA) Alexander Butler2 January 2024 19:01
Storm Henk mapped: UK battered by 80mph winds and heavy rain
A yellow wind warning was also put in place between 8am to 9pm on Tuesday, stretching from the tip of Cornwall through the Midlands and East Anglia. Alexander Butler reports:
Tara Cobham2 January 2024 19:00
Over 1,000 holidaymakers evacuated
Over 1,000 holidaymkers and residents were evacuated from a holiday park amid fears heavy rain could cause flash flooding in the area. Families left their caravans in Billing Aquadrome, Northamptonshire, after the Environment Agency issued a flood warning for the region. Water has not yet reached the homes but officials said they expected the area to be flooded imminently.
Many people were seen driving and walking away from the caravans with their belongings. Linda Page, who had spent the Christmas break at her son’s lodge with her family, said the constant drone of the siren – which has been sounding for hours – brought back unwelcome memories. “It’s quite scary because it reminds us of the war,” she said as she left the park on foot.
Alexander Butler2 January 2024 18:41
Woman crushed by falling tree in Orpington
A woman has been crushed by a falling tree in Orpington, police said. The Metropolitan Police said it was called to reports of a woman struck by a tree just before 3.15pm in Station Approach. Officers attended along with firefighters from the London Fire Brigade.
“The woman was taken to hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Her family has been informed,” the Met said in a statement.
Alexander Butler2 January 2024 18:35
Watch: Scaffolding collapses onto London street amid 60mph winds
Storm Henk: Scaffolding collapses onto London street amid 60mph winds Alexander Butler2 January 2024 18:30
Storm Henk moves off to east allowing clearer spells to develop behind it
Storm Henk is moving off to the east, said the Met Office, allowing clearer spells to develop behind it. Winds are set to slowly ease into the evening but will remain blustery along coasts and for northeast Scotland, according to the forecaster.
It added that showers will begin to develop in the west through the evening. Tara Cobham2 January 2024 18:00
London Paddington suffers power cut
Commuters are facing disruption and delays at a major London station due to a power cut. National Rail said a failure of electricity supply between London Paddington and Maidenhead means some lines are blocked.
Services between Paddington and Reading are expected to be disrupted until at least 6.30pm, with some trains likely to be cancelled. Customers are advised they can use valid tickets on Thameslink and South Western Railway services, although both operators have advised passengers not to travel due to severe wind and rain caused by Storm Henk.
Commuters stand at Paddington train station as it suffered a power cut (PA)
Commuters are stuck in Paddington due to a power cut amid strong winds and heavy rain brought on by Storm Henk
(PA) Alexander Butler2 January 2024 17:44
Wind gust of over 80mph recorded at Exeter airport
An 81mph wind gust has been recorded at Exeter Airport today, according to the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris. Mr Harris said it was a record for the second observation site at the airport, which opened in the 1990s, and the third-strongest gust at the airport overall.
“Only 83mph on 28 February 1990 and 85mph on 25 January 1990 (Burns Day Storm) were stronger,” he said.
Alexander Butler2 January 2024 17:38
References
- ^ Storm Henk (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Gloucestershire Police (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ man in his 50s died (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ large fallen tree (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Cirencester (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ National Highways said several major roads in England (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1704223845 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1704222945 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Plane lands in strong winds at Heathrow airport as Storm Henk batters UK (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1704222105 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1704222038 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1704220884 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1704220509 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1704220245 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1704218438 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1704217494 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1704217103 (www.independent.co.uk)