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Storm Henk batters UK - as 94mph gusts cause widespread disruption and damage

Footage has shown planes struggling to land at Heathrow, with one BA jet taking off again as it reached the runway during a landing.

Wednesday 3 January 2024 04:33, UK

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Moment tree snaps in half during storm
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Storm Henk has battered the UK with winds of up to 94mph, bringing down trees and scaffolding.

Henk has pummelled southwest England and South Wales, with many parts of southern England, the south Midlands and East Anglia also experiencing strong winds.

Gusts of 94mph were recorded on the Isle of Wight and fallen trees blocked a rail line in Hastings - causing major delays.

Exeter Airport was hit with gusts of 81mph, while winds reached 71mph at the Isle of Portland in Dorset and Mumbles Head in South Wales.

A tree blown over by the wind and crashed into the portico, knocking it down in Tooting, south west London. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Henk, which is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024.
Image: A tree scythed down by the wind in southwest London
Handout photo taken with permission from the social media site X, formerly Twitter, posted by @catherinejw_ of scaffolding that fell off the front of a building on Creek Road. Greenwich, London. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Henk, which is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. Issue date: Tuesday January 2, 2024.
Image: Scaffolding fell off the front of a building in Greenwich
Pic: Thames Ditton
Image: Pic: Thames Ditton

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Thameslink, South Western Railway and Southern Railway have told passengers not to travel unless necessary.

Footage has shown planes struggling to land at Heathrow, with one BA jet taking off again as it reached the runway during a landing.

Planes struggle to land at Heathrow as Storm Henk sweeps across country
Image: Planes struggle to land at Heathrow

Strong winds forced Dartford Crossing southbound to close for around four hours, causing severe delays in the region.

Flood warnings cover England

There are 292 flood warnings in place meaning that flooding is expected, with 368 alerts for possible flooding all across southern and central England.

Homes could be inundated and travel disruption is likely.

In Warwickshire, fire crews were called to Kenilworth Ford to rescue a driver who got stuck trying to manoeuvre through the flood water.

A spokesman for the service said: "Due to the speed of the flowing water we used our inflatable sled to safely rescue the car's occupants. Please avoid the area and don't try to drive through flood water."

And the River Ouse in York burst its banks due to the rainfall brought in by the storm.

Flood water in York, Yorkshire, after the River Ouse burst its banks. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Henk, which is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024.
Image: Flood water in York after the River Ouse burst its banks
Pic: @postmandick2 Handout photo taken with permission from the social media site X, formerly Twitter, posted by @postmandick2 of flooding in Eardisland, Herefordshire. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Henk, which is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024.
Image: Pic: @postmandick2 Flooding in Eardisland, Herefordshire.

In other developments:

• Police say a "hero" entered flood water in Hall Green, Birmingham, to rescue a trapped driver and three-year-old child
• A woman was hit by a tree in Orpington, southeast London, and taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be life-threatening
• An Apache helicopter on an army airfield in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, was toppled in high winds

An amber warning for wind - issued by the Met Office - expired at 8pm on Tuesday evening.

Forecasters had warned of flying debris and a danger to life from large waves in coastal areas.

Motorists were urged to drive slowly, and homeowners were told to secure garden furniture and other loose objects.

An estimated 38,000 people were left without electricity as a direct result of the storm, according to Energy Networks Association (ENA) which represents all energy providers across the UK.

ENA spokesman Ross Easton said technicians reconnected more than 100,000 customers after the storm damaged power lines today.

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