Storm Kathleen has wreaked havoc along the south coast, leading to beach huts being swept into the sea, over 200 evacuations, and ongoing flood warnings. The storm has particularly impacted holiday spots in West Sussex, where the River Arun has overflowed, causing widespread flooding.
Overnight rescues at Medmerry Holiday Park in Earnley saved approximately 180 people, while about 15 were rescued from Littlehampton’s Ferry Road and Rope Walk.
A person with hypothermia was hospitalized. Early Tuesday, around 20 people were evacuated from Bracklesham Caravan and Boat Club.
In Cornwall, beach huts in Falmouth were washed away by strong winds, and in Bournemouth, huts were toppled and moved towards the sea.
Falmouth’s beach huts washed away; residents face ongoing flooding and power outages.Heavy rain and gusty winds are expected to continue affecting southern England, western Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland over the next few days.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) reported that their Littlehampton incident had been resolved, but warned that the next high tide, expected around midday, could be slightly higher than previous ones. They urged those stranded by floodwaters to stay on high ground and contact emergency services if needed.
Julie Everitt, a resident of Littlehampton, described her terrifying experience as floodwaters surged into her garden, with toilet bowls and debris floating down her street. She expressed concern about further flooding and the loss of power.
Gareth Theobald from Shoreham-by-Sea described the flooding in his town as “scary and unprecedented,” with water rising significantly and causing severe damage.
West Sussex County Council reported that water levels had not yet receded and warned that flooding might worsen throughout the day. A refuge center has been set up at Wave Littlehampton Leisure Center for affected residents.
In Scotland, a weather warning remains in effect with heavy rainfall expected to continue, potentially causing further flooding in areas including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, and Aberdeen.