London, UK – The relentless storm, “Babet,” continues to wreak havoc across Northern Europe, causing severe flooding, substantial damage, and widespread disruption of services. The tempest, which initially struck regions in Denmark, Norway, and Germany, has now made its presence felt in the United Kingdom.
Heavy rains in northern Europe-Source: X
Fatalities and Red Alerts in Scotland:
On Friday, “Babet” battered Scotland, claiming the lives of three individuals, with two casualties in the northeastern part of the country. The authorities, in response, issued a red alert that remained in effect for the region into Saturday evening. The Scottish government released a statement, describing parts of Scotland as still grappling with severe flooding and some rivers at dangerously high levels, deeming the rainfall levels “exceptional.”
Storm Babet is already causing havoc in Ireland.
There is a risk to life in places – residents of Brechin in Scotland have been told to fully evacuate.
Heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/t9QxdHSiqJ
— Greenpeace UK (@GreenpeaceUK) October 19, 2023
Challenging Weather Conditions Persist:
Stuart Houston, Deputy Chief Constable of Police Scotland, reported that while weather conditions have improved slightly, they remain extremely challenging, especially in the heavily affected areas of Tayside in the east.
Flood Warnings in England:
The Environment Agency has issued over 300 flood warnings across England since Thursday, most notably in Yorkshire (north) and the Midlands (central). Of significant concern are the “severe flood” warnings affecting residents living near the banks of the River Derwent in Derby, central England.
*Kathryn Smith, a representative from the agency, stated, “It is likely that the flooding will persist in some major rivers, particularly the Severn, Ouse, and Trent, until Tuesday” in the north and central regions.
Disarray in London:
In London, King’s Cross Station had to shut its doors for several hours on Saturday afternoon to control the influx of passengers as numerous train services were canceled or delayed due to the storm.
Storm Babet’s Fury: Four People Rescued from Roof of Vehicle as Roads Flood in Nottinghamshire.#UK #Nottinghamshire #StormBabet #Flooding #RedWeatherWarning pic.twitter.com/DyqOVVocxr
— Nimrah Khatoon (@KashifNimrah) October 21, 2023
Storm Babet continues its path of DESTRUCTION across the UK.
Extreme weather like this will only get WORSE with climate change.
When will politicians start taking this seriously?
Video credit: @volcaholic1 pic.twitter.com/6ydAW6ezR5
— Greenpeace UK (@GreenpeaceUK) October 20, 2023
Germany’s Coastal Impact:
The storm also battered Germany’s northern coasts on Friday evening, continuing through the night. This led to the tragic death of a woman in her car due to a falling tree. Coastal areas of the Baltic Sea in Germany experienced strong winds and heavy rains, resulting in rising water levels, flooding, and the evacuation of approximately two thousand people, according to emergency services in Schleswig-Holstein.
Danish Deluge: In Denmark, the storm caused a sharp rise in water levels in southern cities, submerging ground floors and causing power outages for several hours. Water levels exceeded more than two meters above the normal average in cities such as Aabenraa, Haderslev, Sønderborg, Haderslev, Vojens, Vojens, and Aars. Such levels are typically only recorded once every 100 years, as reported by the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI).
Martin Vindelbo of the Danish Emergency Management Agency said, “We need to drain large amounts of water from the cities, especially in South Jutland.”
In northern Europe, Storm #Babet continues unleashing floods in #Denmark, #Norway and the #UK. Three people have died in Scotland and England. German authorities report one woman dead. In southern Norway, over 20,000 people lost power early Saturday. pic.twitter.com/UUNxWH1UI0
— WatchTower 环球瞭望台 (@WatchTowerGW) October 22, 2023
Fishing Port Troubles:
In the fishing port of Rødbyhavn, in Zealand county, several fishing boats were capsized, and others foundered, as depicted in images shared by Danish media.
Deadly Storm Babet unleashed extensive flooding and damaged towns in Denmark and Norway late Friday and early Saturday, while continuing to sweep across the UK. https://t.co/gdBuLt4ou3 pic.twitter.com/FZVYTIODaJ
— RTL Today (@rtl_today) October 21, 2023
International Response:
This widespread storm has not only disrupted lives but also sparked international efforts to provide assistance and support to the affected areas.
“Babet” remains an ongoing threat to Northern Europe, and residents are urged to stay vigilant and heed all official alerts and warnings. The impact of this devastating storm serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by extreme weather events.
