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Enormous waves race across Atlantic, UK faces another storm Enormous waves race across Atlantic, UK braces for storm
(32 minutes later)
LONDON — Enormous waves churned across the North Atlantic on Saturday as Britain braced for a second straight weekend of wild winter weather and flooding. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, and the Royal Navy joined the search for a missing man who went overboard a boat. LONDON — Enormous waves churned across the North Atlantic on Saturday as Britain braces for a second straight weekend of wild winter weather and flooding that’s already seen the army deployed to help out residents in northern England and the Royal Navy assist in a search and rescue operation.
Hurricane-force winds of up to 85 knots (98 mph) and monster waves that could reach over 100-feet-high ((30 meters)) were roaring across the North Atlantic, the U.S. National Weather Service’s Ocean Prediction Center reported. Hurricane-force winds up to 80 knots (92 mph) and monster waves that could reach over 100 feet (30 meters) high were roaring across North Atlantic, the U.S. National Weather Service’s Ocean Prediction Center reported early Saturday.
The fourth storm of the winter season, dubbed Dennis by Britain’s Met Office weather service, was sweeping through Ireland into Britain and causing widespread travel disruptions that were expected to worsen over the day. Heavy rain and strong winds are moving across Britain, and are expected to afflict all parts of the country, including areas of northern England already suffering from last weekend’s storms. The peak disruption is set to take place later Saturday.
The Met Office had 18 flood warnings in place around England, which meant flooding was expected. The Irish Meteorologist Service issued a number of wind warnings, saying gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph) might be seen. Gale warnings were also issued in Iceland. The fourth storm of the winter season, dubbed Dennis, is already causing widespread travel disruptions. Airlines have pre-emptively canceled hundreds of flights out of London and other U.K. airports and train lines have warned about possible delays and cancellations. Tens of thousands of passengers will be affected on what is a busy travel day for families as most schools in the country close for a one-week mid-winter break.
The weather is expected to strike all areas of Britain, including parts of northern England still recovering from Storm Ciara last weekend. That storm left at least eight people dead across Europe, including two in the U.K. Areas in northern England, which are still recovering from Storm Ciara weekend, face up to 4 1/2 inches (120 centimeters) of rain. The country’s Environment Agency said flooding is likely to be worse than during last weekend — when hundreds of homes were flooded — since the rain will be falling on already saturated ground.
A search-and-rescue operation off the coast of Margate in southeast England was looking for a man who reportedly fell from a vessel just before dawn. A Royal Navy vessel joined in the operation alongside lifeboats from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and a police boat. Britain’s Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings covering most of the country.
Airlines preemptively canceled hundreds of flights out of London and other U.K. airports, and railways warned about possible train delays and cancellations. Tens of thousands of passengers were being affected on a busy travel day for British families, as most schools in the country closed down for a mid-winter break. A Royal Navy ship was helping a search-and-rescue operation off the coast of Margate in southeast England after a man was reported to have fallen overboard from a vessel.
Easyjet cancelled around 230 flights in and out of the country as wind speeds are set to hit 70 mph (113 kph). British Airways also cancelled flights. Easyjet has already cancelled around 230 flights in and out of the country as wind speeds are set to hit 70 mph (113 kph). British Airways has also cancelled flights.
Areas in northern England, which are still recovering from Ciara, faced up to 4 1/2 inches (120 centimeters) of rain on Saturday. The country’s Environment Agency said flooding is likely to be worse than last weekend — when hundreds of homes were flooded as river burst their banks — since the rain will be falling on saturated ground. British army personnel are set to provide support for stretched communities in the flood-hit Calder Valley region in West Yorkshire.
Around 75 British army personnel and 70 reservists were helping out stretched communities in the flood-hit Calder Valley region in West Yorkshire, constructing barriers and repairing damaged flood defenses. “This extra and expert resource couldn’t be more welcome to support already exhausted communities and help us respond to further weather warnings across Calderdale,” said local council leader Tim Swift.
“Our armed forces are always ready to support local authorities and communities whenever they need it,” Britain’s Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said. “The rapid response of the Army today will help with provision of flood relief to local communities in West Yorkshire.” Storm Ciara killed eight people across Europe, two of them in the U.K.
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.