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The UK is expected to experience ice, frost, and fog as temperatures drop below freezing following heavy flooding.
Numerous flood advisories and notifications are still in effect throughout England, as rivers continue to rise due to the aftermath of Storm Henk and a week of persistent rainfall.
The Environment Agency reported that over 1,800 properties have experienced flooding due to soil being saturated. They also stated that the effects of the heightened water levels are expected to persist for the next five days and numerous rivers will continue to be above their usual levels.
In Loughborough, Leicestershire, residents are walking through floodwaters caused by heavy rain and strong winds from Storm Henk, which affected many areas of the UK.
The Nottinghamshire Council cautioned residents living near a river that is overflowing at historically high levels to evacuate their homes. The River Trent has reached its highest recorded level at the Torksey Lock gauge in Nottinghamshire, surpassing the levels seen in 2000.
By 8pm on Saturday, England still had 189 flood warnings and 207 flood alerts in effect. The Midlands, Lincolnshire, and the River Thames are expected to experience considerable flooding. The government has announced that households affected by flooding can now apply for up to £500 for repair expenses.
Colder weather is also expected overnight, with forecasters warning of icy conditions for the upcoming week. The Met Office said Sunday morning would see icy stretches, fog patches and frost, with temperatures as low as -2C in Scotland and struggling to get above 5C for much of the rest of the country.
The UK Health and Safety Agency has released a warning for cold weather in the form of a yellow alert, specifically for the elderly and vulnerable population. The alert will be in effect from 9am on Saturday until noon on Friday, January 12, with temperatures expected to be slightly lower than usual across most of the UK. This may lead to icy conditions on wet surfaces, particularly during the nighttime hours.
As numerous regions of the nation continue to struggle with the consequences of Storm Henk.
A coffee shop in downtown York was inundated by the River Ouse when it overflowed due to Storm Henk.
Katharine Smith, the Environment Agency’s flood duty manager, stated that there will continue to be significant effects from river flooding today and in the upcoming days in certain areas, such as the river Thames in Oxfordshire, the River Trent near Nottingham, and the River Severn, including Gloucester.
“Due to the extended period of wet weather and heavy downpours, there has been widespread flooding, and our hearts go out to those who have been affected.”
The occurrence of excessive water in Pulborough, located in West Sussex.
The Department for Environmental and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced on Saturday the government had released Flood Recovery Framework grants for communities affected by the storm that started on 2 January. Significantly impacted households and businesses could receive 100 per cent off their council tax and business rates for at least three months.
Small-to-medium-sized businesses that qualify can receive grants of up to £2,500. Property owners who are looking to strengthen their buildings against future floods may be eligible for up to £5,000. Additionally, farmers who have experienced damage to their land that is not covered by insurance can apply for up to £25,000.
According to the Environment Agency, the water levels in almost all of England’s rivers are extremely elevated, with certain rivers even reaching their highest recorded flows. In response, teams are utilizing temporary pumps, barriers, and flood protection measures to reduce the effects of flooding nationwide. The agency has successfully safeguarded over 45,000 properties.
The Buckhurst Hill football club, located northeast of London, is currently experiencing flooding on its pitches due to water.
David Walters, a 51-year-old man, spent 11 years building Cresslands Touring Park in South Lincolnshire. He expressed sadness at the damage caused by flooding on Wednesday to his caravan park.
The likelihood of floods is predicted to decrease over the upcoming weekend, however, the agency advises individuals to monitor water levels in their vicinity and enroll in complimentary flood warnings. Motorists were cautioned against driving through flooded areas, as even 30cm of water can cause a car to float.
Although it will be cold, Sunday is expected to be mostly dry, with the exception of some light showers in southeastern England during the morning.
Jason Kelly, the chief forecaster at the Met Office, stated that due to the presence of high pressure, we can expect a significant amount of stable weather.
“Anticipate clearer skies and less precipitation, though any showers may be wintry.”
Houses surrounded by flood water on Matt Pit Lane in Wainfleet All Saints in Lincolnshire after the town had to deal with more than two months of rain in just two days
MET OFFICE OUTLOOK
Saturday evening:
Partly cloudy and dry, with intermittent periods of clear skies leading to a potential light frost. Showers are expected to pass through the southeastern regions later, potentially bringing wintry conditions to higher elevations. The lowest temperature will be -1C.
There will be morning rainfall in the southeast, likely snow in elevated areas. Otherwise, it will be dry and mostly cloudy. It will feel extremely cold due to a strong wind, with potentially strong winds along the southeastern coasts. The highest temperature will reach 5 degrees Celsius.
Forecast for Monday to Wednesday:
On Monday, there will be showers in the eastern regions, some of which may be wintry. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be dry and sunny. However, it will feel extremely cold each day due to strong winds, particularly along the coast, creating a significant windchill.
Source: independent.co.uk
