Storm Herminia has made its presence known across the UK, following closely on the heels of Storm Éowyn, which wreaked havoc over the weekend. With powerful winds exceeding 83mph, heavy rain, and significant storm warnings issued across the southern half of England and Wales, residents are bracing for more chaos.
The Met Office reported numerous weather warnings as the storm made landfall, bringing with it over 50 flood warnings and 158 alerts throughout England and Wales. Schools have had to close, and authorities prepared rest centers for residents evacuated from their homes, particularly around the affected areas of Somerset.
On Sunday, the chaos began as heavy rainfall flooded parts of Chard and Ilminster, leading Somerset Council to declare a major incident. This declaration allows for coordinated emergency responses from multiple agencies. A spokesperson for the council stated, “Following intense rainfall across the region at the weekend, several parts of Somerset were flooded on Sunday afternoon.”
The rain is expected to bring continued distress to this region as forecasts indicate prolonged heavy showers through to Tuesday. About 70 mm of rainfall is projected for higher ground, exacerbated by already saturated soil conditions from Storm Éowyn. Such conditions have made local flooding gently probable, the Environment Agency noted.
Public transport has not escaped unscathed either, as gusts of wind coupled with heavy rain have disrupted rail and flight services. British Airways reported the cancellation of 26 flights impacting thousands of passengers – mostly on domestic and European routes. Rail services across Scotland are also facing delays, and ScotRail noted significant debris issues on their tracks.
“Things are going to stay unsettled in the next few days,” warned Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna. This unsettled weather, he explained, is not entirely unusual for this time of year but compounded problems from the previous storm, leading to significant risks, especially for those whose homes were impacted by Storm Éowyn just days prior.
Travelers and those living near coastal areas are advised to exercise caution, as the Met Office continues to monitor and update flood forecasts. Initial warnings declare conditions to be dangerous with potential for flooding of roads and some homes, particularly as rough seas denote risk from wave overtopping.
Adding to the situation, reports have indicated continued power outages affecting around 65,000 properties across Northern Ireland, where Storm Éowyn was felt most intensively. With such damage still being addressed, the introduction of Storm Herminia complicates recovery efforts.
Weather experts maintain this trend of increasingly unfavorable climate conditions is becoming more common. The Scottish first minister noted from recent events, “It’s a warning to us about climate change and the ferocity of storms.”
Although Storm Herminia has not been as intense as its predecessor, its arrival has prompted authorities to take preventive measures seriously. With more unsettled weather expected over the coming days, residents and travelers are encouraged to stay alert and remain informed via local and national weather updates.
Looking forward, areas affected by Storm Herminia might experience temporary calmer conditions later this week, with forecasts predicting more settled weather by Thursday and Friday. For now, vigilance is key as resources mobilize to respond to the immediate needs resulting from this recent storm’s onslaught.