As Storm Babet continues its relentless assault on the United Kingdom, Saturday brings no respite, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. With three reported fatalities and a new red “danger to life” warning, the nation braces for further impact.
In a rare move, a red weather warning blankets parts of eastern Scotland throughout the day, prompting First Minister Humza Yousaf to caution, “We have not seen the last of this.” Concurrently, yellow weather warnings for wind and rain persist across much of England.
The amber warning for rain is particularly severe in north-east England, affecting cities such as Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, and Nottingham. The Met Office reports that Sheffield in South Yorkshire experienced the highest rainfall total on Friday, reaching a staggering 84mm.
The havoc extends beyond weather warnings, with over 353 flood warnings and 248 alerts in effect across England on Saturday morning. A power outage on Friday left 55,000 people without electricity, although 45,000 have since been reconnected.
Tragedy struck as a man in his 60s lost his life in Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, swept away by fast-flowing floodwaters. This marks the third casualty since Storm Babet struck on Wednesday. Earlier incidents include a tree falling on a van in Angus, claiming a 56-year-old’s life, and the tragic death of a 57-year-old woman swept into a river.
Transportation chaos ensued as flooding caused significant delays on the A1 near Grantham, while Suffolk declared a major incident due to “major flooding” across the county. In Debenham, a rural village, residents found themselves cut off by floodwaters, prompting rescue efforts with tractors. Approximately 50 people sought refuge in a local leisure center.
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire fire services shared alarming images of vehicles partially submerged after daring rescues. Clive Stanbrook, area manager at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, reported over 100 people rescued on Friday, including 20 from a care home in Duffield.
The impact of this “unprecedented” weather event is felt most profoundly in eastern Scotland, where residents evacuate, rural communities are isolated, and critical infrastructure faces collapse.
