Roads, bridges and rail lines were blocked as the first named storm of 2024 – Henk – swept across parts of southern Britain, with one area experiencing its strongest wind speeds for more than 30 years.
Thousands of homes suffered power cuts and many trees were brought down.
People were asked to stay away from coastal areas hit by the storm and police advised against travel in some areas unless absolutely necessary.
Gusts of 94mph were recorded at the Needles off the Isle of Wight and 71mph winds hit Mumbles Head in south Wales.
But the storm also struck inland, with Exeter airport experiencing gusts of 81mph. The BBC’s senior meteorologist in the south-west of England, David Braine, said this was the strongest there since the Burns Day storm of 25 January 1990.
The roof of a pedestrian bridge at the railway station in Okehampton, Devon, was blown off and part of an entertainment complex roof in Exmouth fell on to the seafront, while the Metropolitan Police said a woman was taken to hospital after being struck by a falling tree in south-east London. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Heavy rain fell on already saturated ground, with 75mm recorded in Devon over a 24-hour period between Monday and Tuesday evenings.
As darkness fell on Tuesday there were 213 flood warnings for England in place and 339 alerts. In Wales there was one severe flood warning, 19 warnings and 45 alerts.
The Environment Agency said a “partial evacuation” of the Billing Aquadrome holiday park in Northamptonshire was under way as the River Nene rose.
One of those who left, holidaymaker Linda Page, said: “It’s terrible, the flood warning siren reminds me of the noise of the air raid sirens in the second world war.”
Worcestershire county council said roads were closed in Bromsgrove, Upton-upon-Severn and Worcester because of flooding.
Warwickshire fire and rescue service told people not to drive through flood water after its officers had to use an inflatable sled to rescue the occupants of a stranded car in Kenilworth. Residents of the village of Wolston in Warwickshire reported that all the routes in and out were blocked by flood water.
Natural Resources Wales expressed concern over the level of the River Ritec in Tenby, south-west Wales, where it said there was “the risk of severe disruption to the community, with significant risk to life”.
It added: “There have been reports of raw sewage in the flood water and therefore precautions should be taken to avoid contact with the water.”
Dozens of homes and businesses were flooded in Wales including 34 properties in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire.
The London fire brigade asked people to secure loose objects outside homes, such as decorations, bins or furniture, not to shelter under trees and to watch out for debris when driving.
Commuters were facing disruption and delays at Paddington station in London on Tuesday evening due to a power cut. National Rail said a failure of electricity supply between Paddington and Maidenhead meant some lines were blocked. Both South Western Railway and Thameslink urged passengers not to travel.
The Met Office put an amber severe weather warning in place from 10am to 8pm on Tuesday, saying there would probably be some damage to buildings and travel disruption, such as tiles blown from roofs, and longer journey times and cancellations, with some bridges and roads likely to close.
#StormHenk has been named and is forecast to bring very strong winds and heavy rain to parts of southern Britain through the day today
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 2, 2024
⚠️ Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/tosSdVNfsY
The forecaster said large waves could put people at risk on the coast and there could be damage to seaside roads, homes and businesses.
It said: “An area of low pressure crossing southern regions of the UK, now named Storm Henk, will bring an area of very strong winds through Tuesday.
“Initially the strongest gusts will be centred on south-west England and south Wales during the late morning and early afternoon. Here, gusts of up to 80mph are possible in exposed coastal locations.
“As the low pressure moves north-eastwards, the strongest wind gusts also move eastwards across the UK, with many parts of southern England, the southern Midlands and East Anglia experiencing 50-60mph gusts through the afternoon and evening.”
Flooding caused widespread disruption to the rail network across the south-west of England.
One lane of the A30 was closed due to flooding near Okehampton in Devon. Part of the A388 near Launceston was closed after a lorry overturned, while police in Torquay asked people to travel only if necessary. The M48 Severn Bridge was also closed because of strong winds.
There is better news on the horizon: the Met Office said there was likely to be more settled weather across Britain at the weekend, with colder conditions and frosty nights.
