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UK weather: major incident declared in Somerset as storms bring flooding UK weather: major incident declared in Somerset as storms bring flooding
(about 2 hours later)
More than 50 flood warnings and over 150 alerts in place for England as Storm Herminia hits Britain after Éowyn More than 100 people evacuated from their homes as Storm Herminia hits Britain after Éowyn
A major incident has been declared in Somerset after homes and businesses were flooded, roads blocked and schools closed as stormy weather once again battered parts of the UK. A major incident has been declared in Somerset after more than 100 people were evacuated from their homes because of flooding, while roads were blocked, trains delayed or cancelled and schools closed, as stormy weather once again battered parts of the UK.
Rest centres were set up for people forced to leave their homes in three Somerset towns – Chard, Ilminster and Somerton – with some people reporting levels of flooding not seen for years. Rest centres were set up for people forced to leave their homes in three Somerset towns – Chard, Ilminster and Somerton – with some residents reporting levels of flooding not seen for years. Highways teams dealt with almost 50 incidents.
On Monday afternoon, there were more than 50 flood warnings and more than 150 flood alerts in place for England, and three Met Office yellow warnings in England and Wales for heavy rain and strong winds. Dozens of people were evacuated by boat from an estate for over-50s, Primrose Hill residential park near the village of Charlton Mackrell, by the fire service and other rescue teams. People were also evacuated from a care home, Burnworthy House, in South Petherton
Businesses were also flooded, including a Sainsbury’s store in Chard and a bridal shop in Ilminster, where wedding gowns were damaged by the flood water.
On Monday afternoon, there were more than 30 flood warnings and more than 150 flood alerts in place for England, and three Met Office yellow warnings in England and Wales for heavy rain and strong winds.
While not as powerful as Storm Éowyn, which caused severe damage in Scotland and Northern Ireland at the weekend, a low-pressure system was named Storm Herminia by meteorologists in Spain, which was expected to feel the strongest winds.While not as powerful as Storm Éowyn, which caused severe damage in Scotland and Northern Ireland at the weekend, a low-pressure system was named Storm Herminia by meteorologists in Spain, which was expected to feel the strongest winds.
The Met Office warned that heavy, blustery showers and possible thunderstorms would lead to some flooding in London, south-east England and south-west England. It said there could be interruption to power supplies and other services. Ben Lukey, a flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Impacts are probable across parts of the south of England during Monday and on Tuesday, with continuing impacts possible on Wednesday and Thursday.”
Strong winds were forecast to drive in a succession of showers, some heavy, through Monday and Monday night, before easing on Tuesday morning. There was also a chance of lightning strikes and hail showers. The Met Office warned that heavy, blustery showers and possible thunderstorms could lead to some flooding in London, south-east England and south-west England. It said there could be interruption to power supplies and other services.
Strong winds were driving in a succession of showers, some heavy, through Monday and into Monday night and there was also a chance of lightning strikes and hail showers.
In Wales and parts of the West Midlands in England, the Met Office said heavy rain could lead to some flooding of roads and properties. There was a small chance some rural communities could be cut off by flooded roads. Up to 70mm of rain was expected over some high ground.In Wales and parts of the West Midlands in England, the Met Office said heavy rain could lead to some flooding of roads and properties. There was a small chance some rural communities could be cut off by flooded roads. Up to 70mm of rain was expected over some high ground.
A warning was also in place for strong winds on Monday in Wales and across much of southern England that could cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry travel until 6am on Tuesday.A warning was also in place for strong winds on Monday in Wales and across much of southern England that could cause delays to road, rail, air and ferry travel until 6am on Tuesday.
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The warnings come as scientists have said that the climate emergency is making extreme weather events more common.The warnings come as scientists have said that the climate emergency is making extreme weather events more common.
Somerset council and Avon and Somerset police jointly declared the major incident. Somerset council and Avon and Somerset police jointly declared the major incident. A council spokesperson said: “Following intense rainfall across the region at the weekend, several parts of Somerset were flooded, including roads and some homes in the centre of Chard and Ilminster.
A council spokesperson said: “Following intense rainfall across the region at the weekend, several parts of Somerset were flooded on Sunday afternoon, including roads and some homes in the centre of Chard and Ilminster. “With further heavy rainfall expected, a major incident was called and a decision was made to carry out precautionary evacuations for residents living in properties in the worst-affected areas.”
“With further heavy rainfall expected to fall in the early hours of Monday morning, a major incident was called and a decision was made to carry out precautionary evacuations for residents living in properties in the worst-affected areas, as well as a caravan site thought to be at risk.
“Rest centres were set up in Chard, Ilminster and Somerton, and all the relevant agencies will continue to work to keep residents safe.”
People were evacuated from a care home, Burnworthy House, in South Petherton, and a landslip occurred in the village of Barrington, Somerset.
Stormont’s leaders have called on Northern Ireland’s energy network provider, NIE Networks, to offer goodwill payments to those who remained without power after Storm Éowyn.Stormont’s leaders have called on Northern Ireland’s energy network provider, NIE Networks, to offer goodwill payments to those who remained without power after Storm Éowyn.
About 65,000 homes and businesses remained without power in Northern Ireland, with some people told they might have to wait until 3 February to be reconnected. About 60,000 homes and businesses remained without power in Northern Ireland, with some people told they might have to wait until 3 February to be reconnected. More than 50 schools in Northern Ireland remained closed on Monday.
Scotland is recovering from the effects of Storm Éowyn. ScotRail said its engineers had made “great progress” in removing debris and repairing damage, but several lines were still affected on Monday. The Largs to Ardrossan line will not reopen on Monday after an overhead gantry was brought down by a falling tree. The Northern Ireland secretary, Hilary Benn, said the UK government was working hard to meet requests from the Stormont executive for assistance.
Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, echoed the warnings about the climate affecting the strength of storms. He told an event in Edinburgh on Monday: “It’s a warning to us that climate change is with us and the ferocity [of it].”Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, echoed the warnings about the climate affecting the strength of storms. He told an event in Edinburgh on Monday: “It’s a warning to us that climate change is with us and the ferocity [of it].”
Avanti West Coast said services to and from Glasgow and Edinburgh had resumed, but warned of late starts and possible delays on Scottish routes.
The Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said: “Things are going to stay unsettled in the next few days. We’re getting successive spells of wet and windy weather, which is obviously adding to impacts.”