Gusts reaching 75 mph (120 km/h) are expected to hammer southern England and Wales this weekend as the UK recovers from Storm Gerrit’s aftermath.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for high winds in the south-east, south-west, East Anglia, and Wales from 11 am on Saturday until 3 am on Sunday, New Year’s Eve. Separate warnings exist for sleet and snow in Scotland and rain in Northern Ireland on Saturday.
As New Year’s Eve approaches, revelers are advised to dress warmly, as temperatures across the UK may feel close to freezing at midnight.
The UK is still reeling from the storm’s impact, which has resulted in significant damage and disruption. In North Yorkshire, three men died when their 4×4 was submerged in floodwaters.
Around 1,500 homes in Scotland are enduring their second night without power, while a lightning strike recently caused outages in Wales.
Three men died in floodwaters in North Yorkshire.Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) have restored power to over 47,000 properties affected by the storm, with efforts ongoing to reconnect about 450 homes.
SSEN’s operations director, Andy Smith, expressed gratitude for the patience of affected communities as repair work continues.
River levels have risen across the UK, prompting 28 flood warnings in England. The River Severn at Shrewsbury breached its banks, leading to road closures and police advisories to avoid the area. Scotland has six flood warnings in effect.
In Greater Manchester, a tornado caused significant damage, impacting around 100 properties in Tameside. The Association of British Insurers assured that standard property insurance should cover the damage.
Rail services have been disrupted, with delays and cancellations affecting various lines. In Wales, severe weather will impact rail services until Monday, and ferry services between Dover and France have been delayed.
Air travel has also faced disruptions, though most services have returned to normal. The Met Office warns that cold weather will persist into New Year’s Eve, urging people to dress warmly.