‘Perfect storm’ Dennis claims two lives at sea
Armed forces mobilised to bolster flood defences as torrential rain and high winds batter Britain
TWO people have died in turbulent seas as Storm Dennis swept the country bringing havoc to transport networks and homeowners.
The Environment Agency warned of a “perfect storm” for those already hit by flooding caused by Storm Ciara as more deluges were forecast for today.
The body of a teenager was pulled from the sea in Herne Bay, Kent, yesterday after he apparently got into difficulties. Shortly afterwards, the body of a man was retrieved 13 miles away, off the coast of Margate, by the RNLI.
The man, who was reported missing at 6am, was understood to have been a seaman aboard a Maltese tanker anchored off Margate harbour. HMS Westminster, a frigate in the area, had also joined the search.
A coastguard spokesman said: “At around 1pm, after many hours of searching, a body was sadly found in the water by the RNLI Margate lifeboat and has been brought to shore.”
The rescue mission took place in ferocious conditions. The US National Weather Service’s Ocean Prediction Centre reported winds of up to 92mph and waves predicted to reach more than 100ft (30m) high across the North Atlantic.
Meanwhile, the severity of the prolonged spell of bad weather on land was illustrated starkly when the Ministry of Defence deployed soldiers to build flood defences in West Yorkshire, a region already struggling to recover from last weekend’s downpours.
A total of 75 Servicemen from 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, were helping the Environment Agency construct barriers and repair flood defences in Ilkley and Calderdale, while 70 Reservists from 4th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, offered other support to residents.
Villagers in Kirkby Wharfe, near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, worked together to build a 165-yard barrier in preparation for the storm moving in.
Strong winds and heavy rain meant that more than 230 easyJet flights in and out of the UK were cancelled, along with numerous sporting fixtures.
British Airways also confirmed that some of its planes had been grounded.
It was estimated that more than 40,000 travellers were affected by the disruption on air, rail and road networks. More than 700 homes in westerly Cornwall were left without power yesterday afternoon as electricity supplies were hit by the powerful winds.
The Meteorological Office issued five amber warnings for heavy and severe rain throughout England, Scotland and Wales – with some warning of a threat to life due to flooding – plus a further three lesser yellow warnings for powerful winds.
Forecasters predicted that 70mph winds would continue to batter the coastline today with total rainfall this weekend reaching 4.7in (12cm) in the worst affected areas. Storm Dennis, a
North Atlantic weather system, is classified as a so-called “weather bomb” because it is caused by a dramatic drop in air pressure in just 24 hours.
The storm, which is centred over Iceland, will continue to move eastwards over the UK before fading out early this week.
The Environment Agency warned that flooding could be even worse this weekend because conditions were creating the “perfect storm”.
A spokesman explained that heavy rain combined with strong winds and, in a few locations, melting snow, hitting saturated ground, would dramatically increase the likelihood of flooding. Hundreds of homes were thought to be at risk.
Flood defences were being bolstered in numerous counties, including Shropshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Surrey.
The Agency had put more than 500 staff on alert, ready to respond to emergencies. About 30 mobile pumps were put into position in Cwm, Blaenau Gwent and Argoed, Caerphilly.
The Agency predicted that river levels in some parts of West Yorkshire would reach their peak today, again increasing the likelihood of flooding.
Last night, there were 20 flood warnings and 15 flood alerts in place in Scotland. In Wales, there were two flood
‘Our armed forces are always ready to support local authorities and communities whenever they need it’
warnings and 35 flood alerts in place. Footage was posted online of some waterlogged motorways, A-roads and country lanes, with motorists being forced to cut their speed considerably.
Highways England closed the Severn Bridge in one direction and banned high-sided vehicles as gusts of wind reached nearly 50mph.
In Scotland, there were reports of recorded wind speeds closing in on 80mph in the Outer Hebrides.
ScotRail provided replacement buses between Perth and Inverness, Dumbarton and Helensburgh, and Kilwinning and Largs/Ardrossan Harbour. Flooding at Langbank, near Port Glasgow, meant that services between Glasgow Central, Gourock and Wemyss Bay were suspended yesterday.
Meanwhile ferry firm CalMac had to cancel all planned sailings today on the short trip between Fionnphort and Iona due to the weather warnings.
Of the decision to put troops on the ground, Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, said: “Our armed forces are always ready to support local authorities and communities whenever they need it. The rapid response of the Army today will help with provision of flood relief to local communities in West Yorkshire.”