Storm Babette wreaked havoc across Northern Europe, with gale-force winds and heavy rain affecting Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Norway and Britain.
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Across Northern Europe, communities around the North Sea are feeling the full impact of Autumn Storm Babette.
Authorities say severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and gale-force winds from the east, pose a significant threat to communities and infrastructure in many countries.
The storm winds hit the eastern part of Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula the hardest, including the Danish islands in the Baltic Sea. However, the British Isles, southern Sweden, northern Germany and parts of Norway are also bearing the brunt of the devastating storm, which the UK Met Office has named Babette.
High water levels seen in Scandinavia
In southern Denmark, low-lying areas are inundated, and fallen trees litter the landscape. A “very dangerous weather” warning from the Danish Meteorological Institute predicts water levels will rise, with some inland Danish areas expected to see rivers rise up to 240 cm above normal.
“Large amounts of water are now moving back through the Danish belt, which, however, act as barriers, where water has difficulty moving through and thus piles up south of here.” DMI said on the front page of its website.
“Strong easterly winds also contribute to rising water levels and worsen the situation causing water levels to become even higher.”
Sweden is also facing the threat of widespread flooding along its southern coast, potentially limiting access to roads and railways. However, the situation is expected to improve on Saturday morning as the water level recedes.
Norway has not been spared, with a bridge near its second-largest city closed and ferry and air travel largely cancelled, causing delays and disruption.
First death in Britain, serious warning issued in most parts of the country
In the United Kingdom, a rare red weather warning was issued for parts of Scotland, signifying the highest level of warning. Officials predicted “exceptional rainfall” over the following days, which would result in widespread flooding and pose a significant threat to life due to fast flows or deep flood waters.
This is the first red alert in the UK since 2020. Affected areas of Scotland have already experienced evacuations, school closures and widespread disruption.
Storm Babette has already claimed its first death as a woman was swept into a river in Scotland amid stormy winds and flooding. An amber warning for wind and rain has been issued for parts of northern England, the Midlands and northern Wales. Northern Ireland is also under yellow warning.
The Environment Agency’s flood line service has issued a number of flood warnings and alerts across England, particularly in areas around Bristol, the Midlands and Yorkshire, with additional warnings on the east coast. Northern Ireland is under a yellow rain warning, and Scotland faces amber and yellow warnings for rain and wind.
Major roads, including sections of the A9 and A90, have been closed due to flooding, and train services have been suspended in the affected areas. Ferry services and regional air flights to various islands have also been cancelled.
Met Office weather warnings now cover almost the entire eastern seaboard of Britain, with rain and wind warnings extending from Essex to Berwick and northwards to Scotland.
As Storm Babette continues its destructive path across Northern Europe, officials are working tirelessly to protect lives and mitigate the widespread damage caused by the extreme weather.
Source: www.euronews.com
