The UK Met Office has issued a ‘red’ warning – the rare highest level warning – for eastern Scotland, where record rainfall of up to 22cm is expected on Friday and Saturday.
Police say they have found the body of a 57-year-old woman who was swept into a river in Angus on Thursday afternoon.
A second person was also killed in Angus on Thursday night when a tree fell on a van driven by a 56-year-old man.
Officials in southern Ireland’s County Cork, where hundreds of homes and businesses were flooded earlier this week, said the flooding was the worst in at least 30 years.
A nursing home for the elderly had to be evacuated after more than a meter of water flooded a high street in Middleton, County Cork.
Scottish leader Humza Yousaf warned as the storm hit on Friday that conditions, particularly in Brichin in the north-east, were extremely dangerous.
Rescue services tried to reach the trapped residents, but were hampered by strong currents and flood waters that rose almost two meters.
“It’s just horrible. I’ve never seen anything like it,” said local councilor Jill Scott. She added that hundreds of houses were flooded.
“Like a River”
“People are trapped (…). Some have been stuck there for hours, Mr Scott said. “Boats are trying to reach them, but they can’t because the current is too strong.”
“White water flows there. Like a river,” she added.
Fire crews and the Coast Guard began evacuating Angus residents on Thursday, knocking on doors and urging people to leave.
“Over 350 households in Angus were contacted and advised to evacuate yesterday (Thursday),” an Angus Council spokesman said.
“Brichin and more and more areas of Angus are now only accessible by boat,” he added.
Heavy rain and strong winds have disrupted train services as far away as central England.
Some routes in North West England and North Wales were closed completely due to flooding, rail officials said.
The Met Office has issued several less severe ‘yellow’ and ‘orange’ warnings for severe weather, including flooding, heavy rain and strong winds, for other parts of central and northern England.
window.fbAsyncInit = function() {
FB.init({
appId: ‘117218911630016’,
version: ‘v2.10’,
status: true,
cookie: false,
xfbml: true
});
};
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) {
return;
}
js = d.createElement(s);
js.id = id;
js.src = “https://connect.facebook.net/lt_LT/sdk.js”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
#Scotland #storm #Babet #killed #people #left #residents #stranded
**Interview with Weather Analyst Dr. Lisa Thompson on Storm Babet’s Impact**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Thompson. With the UK Met Office issuing a rare ‘red’ warning for eastern Scotland due to Storm Babet, can you explain what this warning signifies and how severe the situation is?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. A ‘red’ warning indicates a significant risk to life and property due to extreme weather conditions. In this case, we’re looking at potential record rainfall of up to 22 centimeters in just two days, which poses serious flooding risks. The situation is indeed severe, especially with reports of fatalities in Angus already linked to the storm.
**Editor:** We’ve seen tragic incidents, such as the fatalities in Angus. Can you shed light on how these extreme weather conditions can lead to such dangers for residents?
**Dr. Thompson:** Absolutely. Heavy rainfall can lead to swift flooding, especially in areas near rivers and low-lying regions. Tragically, we saw a 57-year-old woman swept into a river, which underscores the hazards. The fatality from the fallen tree on a van highlights how storms can create unexpected and dangerous conditions even away from direct flooding.
**Editor:** Recent reports from County Cork in Southern Ireland describe flooding as the worst seen in 30 years, with hundreds of homes affected. What can we attribute such extreme flooding to?
**Dr. Thompson:** Climate change plays a significant role in exacerbating weather extremes. Storm Babet is a clear example, where intensified storms lead to more significant rainfall than we typically expect. The record flooding is a reminder of our changing climate, and it’s evident that infrastructure and emergency services need to adapt to these new realities.
**Editor:** Local officials have had challenges reaching those trapped due to rising floodwaters. What could be done to improve emergency response in such extreme weather situations?
**Dr. Thompson:** Improving emergency response requires investment in forecasting technology, as well as robust emergency planning and community awareness. Educating residents about flood risks, establishing emergency shelters, and ensuring quick access routes can make a significant difference. Collaboration between weather agencies and local authorities is crucial for effective crisis management.
**Editor:** What do you predict for the coming days as Storm Babet continues to move through Northern Europe?
**Dr. Thompson:** We should prepare for continued heavy rainfall and strong winds, particularly in the areas already under warning. It’s crucial for residents to stay informed through weather updates and adhere to safety recommendations. As we’ve seen, conditions can change rapidly and pose immediate dangers.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Thompson. Please stay safe as this storm progresses.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. Stay safe, everyone.
