Severe Storms Batter Northern UK and Threaten Flooding

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05 December 2013 | Updated 01 January 1970

Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern Wales and the North East of England have been hit with damaging winds that have already caused damage to buildings and disrupted transport in those areas. One person has already died in West Lothian and gusts of 100mph have been recorded as the storm moves southward. The Met Office has recorded gusts of 106mph at Glenogle in Stirlingshire and 114mph on the slopes of Aonach Mor near Fort William.

The Environment Agency has already issued 28 severe flood warnings in Wales and the East of England and there is the prospect of the worst tidal surge in 30 years with the areas that could be affected stretching from Northumberland to the Thames Estuary. In some areas, sea levels could be higher than those during the devastating floods of 1953. However, the Environment Agency reports that ‘flood defences built since then – including the Thames and Hull Barriers – mean that many parts of the country are much better protected than in 1953’.

The loss of electricity has so far been in parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Cumbria. Rail transport was suspended in the whole of Scotland, and Virgin Trains had stopped its trains running North of Carlisle. The Humber Bridge has been closed in both directions with the Thames Barrier closed tonight (Thursday).

Though the weather forecast for the weekend, this could just be the opening salvo as this year’s second major storm in weeks erupts. As readers will remember, the gales that hit the south of England and Wales cased major disruption and damage.

Readers may also be interested in a previous ThisWeekinFM article focusing on Winter Weather Preparedness - When the Wind Blows and When the Snow Falls Will Britain be on Her Back Again?

Article written by Mike Gannon | Published 05 December 2013

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