UK – Storm Katie Floods Roads and Railways, 1 Person Missing

by in News, UK

Parts of southern and central England endured the force of Storm Katie between Sunday 27 and Monday 28 March 2016.

Strong winds, with gusts of over 100 mph / 160 kph in some areas of the south of England, uprooted trees and downed power lines. At one point over 200,000 homes were without electricity. Flights bound for London’s busy Gatwick and Heathrow airports had to be diverted elsewhere. The Port of Dover closed temporarily early on Monday, 28 March.

Storm Katie, March 2016. Image: UK Met Office
Storm Katie, March 2016. Image: UK Met Office

Floods

The UK’s Met Office had issued Yellow level warnings for heavy rain for large areas of southern Britain. There were also Yellow and Amber warnings issued for strong winds.

The UK’s Met Office said:

Along with the wind, the weather system associated with storm Katie also brought heavy rain. Up until 9am, Leek in Staffordshire had recorded 33mm of rain, while Exeter had recorded 26mm. Some places in the North Midlands and Wales also recorded snowfall overnight.

As of earlier today there were 100 flood alerts and 12 flood warnings in England and Wales. There are currently no flood warnings in Scotland according to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Man Missing

A man was missing after his kayak capsized in the River Wey, in Guildford, Surrey. Surrey Police said that police officers were called around 1.10pm to Millmead by the Guildford Borough Council offices following reports that a man had gone into the water after his kayak capsized near the weir.

Officers worked with members of the fire service to find the man. The police helicopter and ambulance crews are also in attendance. The search is to resume today, 29 March. Surrey Police said “Members of the public are being urged not to go into the water if they do see the kayaker, but to call 999 straightaway.”

Rail and Road Disruption

Flooding has disrupted train travel in areas of the south west of England. Rail tracks are flooded between Dorchester and Yeovil, with services severely disrupted.

Torrential rain and floods also forced the closure of a stretch of the M6 motorway between junctions 13 to 14, leaving many motorists stranded.

Some homes have been flooded in Chesterfield in Derbyshire, according to local media.

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