As England continued to clean up from the devastating effects of Storm Henk’s torrential rain and flooding, authorities warned of potentially hazardous cold temperatures and icy conditions. An amber cold weather alert was issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) until Friday at noon, covering the north-west, West Midlands, East Midlands, and south-west England. A yellow warning was issued for the remainder of the country.
Cold weather alerts are a new system introduced for England, replacing the previous system of severe weather warnings. A yellow alert is issued for elderly and vulnerable individuals, while an amber alert means the cold weather will have a significant impact on the entire health service.
Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check in on those most vulnerable to the cold. If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, it is crucial to heat the rooms where you spend most of your time to keep warm.
The cold weather warnings coincided with a yellow weather warning issued by the Met Office for parts of south London, Kent, Surrey, and East and West Sussex, predicting sleet and snow showers with temperatures near zero. Rail journeys could be affected, and icy patches are likely on untreated pavements and roads.
The Environment Agency estimated that over 1,800 properties have been flooded, with 167 flood warnings in place and 171 flood alerts issued. The agency warned that the impact of flooding would continue in the Midlands, Lincolnshire, and on the River Thames until Monday.
UK StromKatharine Smith, a flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said significant river flooding impacts were expected this weekend across parts of the River Thames, the River Trent, and the River Severn. The prolonged wet weather and intense rainfall have led to flooding impacts, and the agency’s thoughts were with those affected.
The government’s response to the flooding has sparked a political row, with Labour accusing Rishi Sunak of being “asleep at the wheel.” The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, promised a taskforce to ensure flood defences are in place and fit for purpose. The prime minister, however, defended the government’s response, stating that over 1,000 Environment Agency personnel were on the ground, over 200 pumps had been deployed, and £5.2 billion had been invested in flood defences.
On Saturday, the communities secretary and the environment secretary announced that flood-hit households could apply for financial recovery help, with flood-hit households eligible for up to £500 and small- to medium-sized businesses eligible for up to £2,500. The “flood recovery framework” was being activated, providing relief to those affected by the storm.