BRITONS have been told to stay indoors after a woman was reportedly crushed by a tree and a life-threatening warning has been issued due to Storm Henk’s 94mph winds.
Torrential downpours and incredibly powerful gales hit Britain as Storm Henk brings misery to many across the country.
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Hero rescues three-year-old child from submerged car in BirminghamCredit: BirminghamLive/BPM
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More than 1,000 people were evacuated from Billing Aquadrome in NorthamptonshireCredit: Bav Media
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The storm brought down scaffolding in Greenwich, south-east LondonCredit: George Cracknell Wright
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A tree blown down by the wind in Tooting, South West LondonCredit: PA
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1,000 people were evacuated from Billing Aquadrome in NorthamptonshireCredit: Bav Media
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Cogenhoe Caravan Park in Northamptonshire flooded this afternoonCredit: Bav Media
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A car lies partially submerged on the A272 in Petersfield, Hampshire as Storm Henk wreaks havoc Credit: chris gorman
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Flooding around Upton on Severn in Worcestershire todayCredit: PA
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Flooded fields in Axminster, Devon after the River Ax burst its banksCredit: ©Graham Hunt
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A person looks towards the waves crashing against the shore in Newhaven todayCredit: AFP
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A vehicle drives through standing water near the flooded Worcester Racecourse Credit: PA
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The home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club was badly flooded after heavy downpoursCredit: PA
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Motorists faced flooding and spray as they traveled in South West London todayCredit: LNP
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Strong waves hit the shore in NewhavenCredit: AFP
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Britons brace for 80km/h winds and heavy rain todayCredit: Met Office
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An unresponsive woman was rescued from the flooded River Severn in WorcesterCredit: SWNS
Paramedics and firefighters rushed to the road in Orpington, south London, after a woman was crushed by a tree.
London Fire Brigade said: “The brigade was called to reports of a woman trapped under a tree at 3.21pm at the bus stop on Station Approach in Orpington.
“The incident was over by 17.10. Fire crews from Orpington and Bexley fire stations attended.
“London Ambulance took the lady to hospital, fire crews secured the scene and duty of care was left to the Met Police.”
The spokeswoman added that crews responded to 30 calls this afternoon regarding trees, scaffolding, tiles, solar panels and roofs.
The brigade calls on Londoners to stay at home and travel only if necessary.
London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 3.21pm today to reports of an incident in Station Approach, Orpington.
“We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and London’s Air Ambulance.
“We treated the woman before taking her to the hospital.”
In Birmingham, a brave passer-by pulled a three-year-old child and the driver from a car submerged in floodwater.
The hero then secured the vehicle to the bridge to prevent it from being swept away by the water, local police said.
A father also rescued an unresponsive woman from the icy River Severn in Worcester after seeing her “floating like a doll”.
Colin McGarva (31) waded into the fast-moving river to save the immobile 50-year-old woman.
Families were even forced to leave their caravans at Billing Aquadrome in Northampton this afternoon thanks to the hot conditions.
It comes days after the country was hit by Storm Gerrit which brought gale-force winds of 75mph, snow and two weeks of rain to much of Britain.
Water has not yet reached homes in Northampton, but the Environment Agency said it expected the area to be flooded soon.
Many have been seen driving in and out of caravans with their belongings as Storm Henk causes chaos across Britain.
Linda Page, who was holidaying there, said: “It’s scary, the flood warning siren reminds me of the sound of air raid sirens in the Second World War.”
The London Fire Brigade is telling people in the capital to stay indoors – and to be careful to avoid flying debris if they are forced to go outside.
Thameslink and South Western Railway have urged passengers not to travel as the winds cause rail chaos.
There are 114 flood warnings and 261 flood warnings in place across the UK.
The bad weather caused several rivers to burst their banks and rail services were suspended due to Storm Henk hitting the Midlands.
Parts of Worcester were left completely inundated with floodwater after the River Severn burst its banks today.
Across the region, people are being advised to avoid footpaths near waterways as floodwaters continue to rise.
Kew Gardens and Wakehurst have closed with Christmas at Kew tonight.
Parts of Richmond Park, Kensington Gardens and Greenwich Park are also closed.
Flooding is also causing chaos in Alconbury, Cambridgeshire, following the storm, with a high street closed this morning.
South Western Railway warned of “extreme disruption” to its train services and warned passengers to avoid using the network.
It said: “We advise against traveling on the South Western Railway due to bad weather.
“The outage will affect all lines on the wider network. We are sorry for the disruption this is causing.”
More rain is expected in the evening, and people are advised to be careful and avoid driving through flood waters.
A yellow weather warning for rain will be in place from 5pm to 9pm, reaching as far north as Manchester and Hull, the Met Office says.
He said: “Flooding is possible for several homes and businesses. Spraying and flooding on roads is likely to increase travel times.
“Bus and rail services are likely to be affected as journeys take longer.”
The incredible images also show swans taking over streets that have been turned into rivers and lakes as strong winds and rain batter the UK.
Meanwhile, Storm Henk sent gusts of wind so strong in some areas that a lorry overturned on its side in Devon.
And an AgustaWestland Apache helicopter was damaged after it flipped onto its side thanks to strong winds in Wiltshire.
Initially, the strongest gusts will be centered around south-west England and south Wales during the late morning and early afternoon, the Met Office said.
Forecasters say gusts of up to 80 mph are possible in “exposed coastal locations.”
A yellow warning for strong winds has been issued for these areas, which will take effect from 10 a.m. this morning until 8 p.m. this evening.
The Met Office said flying debris was likely and “could lead to injury or danger to life”.
Residents of coastal areas. The forecaster also warned that “big waves” could cause a threat to life.
Meanwhile, Metohija has already issued a yellow warning for wind, which came into effect today from 8 am to 9 pm.
Parts of southern England, the south Midlands and east Anglia have been warned of gusts of 50-60mph, according to a Met Office warning.
It says “very windy conditions are likely to develop rapidly” over south-west England and south Wales on Tuesday morning.
These conditions are then expected to spread eastwards across southern and some central parts of England.
A yellow rain warning is currently in effect until Tuesday at 9 p.m.
Roads, rail, air and ferry services are expected to be affected, while coastlines could become dangerous with huge waves.
Bus and train services are also likely to be affected as journeys take longer.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “Further wet and windy weather is forecast for the UK this week.
“Our latest analysis of the forecast shows an increase in the likelihood of very strong gusts across parts of south Wales and England, which is why we have issued this Amber Warning this morning and named it Storm Henk.
“Storm Henk will initially bring very strong winds to south-west England and South Wales, with gusts of up to 80mph possible.
“As Storm Henk moves north-eastwards across the south of the UK until Tuesday, the strongest winds will also move eastwards, across the South Midlands, Home Counties and East Anglia during the afternoon and evening.”
Another wave of heavy rain is likely to spread towards the north-east today, the Met Office says.
It said: “During the warning period, 15 to 30 mm of rain is likely to fall in fairly large numbers, with 35 to 50 mm of rain in a few places.
“The heaviest rain should clear south-west areas of England and south Wales around mid-Tuesday, but could persist into the evening across the north-east of the warning area. Strong winds will affect parts of the area.”
The Met Office added: “A period of very windy weather, followed by some heavy rain at times, is likely to cause some travel disruption.
“Delays in road, rail, air and ferry traffic are likely, and damage to trees is also possible.
“Some coastal routes, seashores and coastal communities are likely to be affected by spray and/or large waves.
“Some bus and rail services are likely to be affected and some journeys are taking longer.
“Short-term loss of power and other services is possible, and delays are likely for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges.”
Meanwhile, a castle that has stood for millennia fell victim to the British weather after Storm Gerrit toppled one of the 1,000-year-old towers.
Bickleigh Castle – which dates back to the 11th century – partially collapsed after high winds and rain this weekend.
It seems that brave New Year’s revelers started the year 2023 yesterday with a bite of early morning swimming.
Despite the drop in temperatures, swimmers came out in droves for an icy swim.
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A person’s umbrella was blown upside down during heavy rain on Westminster Bridge todayCredit: PA
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Commuters braved the rainy weather in London as they returned to workCredit: LNP
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Drivers battling flooding in Godalming, Surrey yesterdayCredit: Alamy
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Commuters try to take shelter during the rainy weather at Maze Hill station in Greenwich, LondonCredit: George Cracknell Wright
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Tewkesbury Abbey, at the confluence of the rivers Severn and Avon, is surrounded by floodwaters after heavy rain yesterdayCredit: Getty
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