Storm Dennis has lashed parts of the
UK with more than a month’s worth of rain in 48 hours and winds of more than 90mph.
Residents in South Wales were warned that Storm Dennis could pose a “danger to life”, with the Met Office issuing a red weather warning until 11am on Sunday due to heavy rainfall and flooding risk.
Tredegar in south-eastern Wales received 105mm of rain in the 24 hours leading up to 7am, while a gust of 91mph was recorded on Saturday evening in Aberdaron.
Firefighters helped to rescue people in South Wales, while the
police declared a “major incident” over the weather. The Environment Agency also issued four severe flood warnings – meaning there is a risk to life – along the River Teme in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.
Meanwhile, almost 250 flood warnings – meaning immediate action is required – and more than 300 flood alerts were issued across the UK as Storm Dennis hits, with the warnings covering an area from Scotland’s River Tweed to the rivers of west Cornwall.
According to John Curtin, the director of flood management at the Environment Agency, there were more flood warnings and alerts in force in
England on Sunday than on any other day on record. BREAKING: we now have the most flood warnings and alerts in force (594) in England than any other day on record. Stay safe and updated here https://t.co/K5GUW3z87Vpic.twitter.com/0IEdWBAOpi— John Curtin (@johncurtinEA) February 16, 2020In Scotland, residents in Newcastleton were evacuated from their homes, while two people had to be rescued after their car was swept off the road, the
BBC reported.
The storm has caused major disruption to travel, with rail services across South Wales suspended after tracks were submerged by rain. The line between Derby and Long Eaton was also closed.
Meanwhile, flooding saw the M54 westbound closed at Telford, along with the A616 around Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire and the A52 between Stragglethorpe and Gamston in the East Midlands, Highways England said.
Hundreds of flights have also been grounded safety reasons, with
British Airways and easyJet confirming cancellations.
More than 230 easyJet flights in and out of the UK on Saturday were cancelled. Earlier, the Ministry of Defence deployed British Army personnel to assist people in West Yorkshire areas badly hit by flooding during last weekend’s Storm Ciara.
According to the Met Office’s Greg Dewhurst, relief from Storm Dennis is still some distance away, with “heavy rain and strong winds” set to continue across large parts of the UK on Sunday.
“South Wales will see a lot of rain fall before Dennis moves north later to
Scotland and Northern
Ireland,” he said.
Two bodies were pulled from rough seas on Saturday, before the worst of the storm hit.
One man was found following a huge search operation off Margate after an early-morning distress call, while another was found at Herne Bay.Related... Two Bodies Pulled From The Sea As Storm Dennis Batters UK Here's What Your Pilot's Thinking When They're Landing A Plane Sideways In A Storm