A relentless storm, named Babet by the UK Meteorological Office, unleashed its fury across Britain, northern Germany, and southern Scandinavia for the past three days. With ferocious winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, the region witnessed floods, power outages, evacuations, and disrupted travel services.
Significant Losses and Tragic Fatalities:
Since Thursday, the storm has claimed at least four lives, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Tragically, a 33-year-old woman lost her life when a tree toppled onto her car on Germany’s Baltic Sea island of Fehmarn. Three additional storm-related fatalities were reported in England and Scotland. Our thoughts go out to the families affected by these heartbreaking losses.
Coastal Regions Battle Storm Surges:
Gale-force winds heightened storm surges along the southern shores of the Baltic Sea, breaching flood defenses and leading to severe coastal flooding. The city of Flensburg in Germany witnessed water levels reaching an unprecedented height- the highest recorded in a century. Flooded areas in the city required power cuts for safety reasons.
Transportation Disruptions and Evacuations:
The storm’s impact was felt across transportation systems in affected regions. Temporary suspension of ferry lines and railway services was necessary in parts of Germany, Denmark, and southern Sweden. Copenhagen’s airport had to cancel 142 flights, though operations resumed on Saturday morning. Moreover, to ensure public safety, people were evacuated from vulnerable homes and campgrounds in severely affected areas in Denmark, with the municipality of Haderslev deciding to evacuate the entire coastline.
Ongoing Threat and Continued Warnings:
The Danish Meteorological Institute issued warnings of powerful winds and elevated water levels that persist throughout the weekend. Scotland, on the other hand, braced for up to 4 inches (100 mm) of rainfall, jeopardizing numerous towns that remain under a red weather alert. Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey cautioned that some areas in eastern and northern Scotland had already endured a month and a half’s worth of rain during this storm. Further downpours could bring the cumulative rainfall close to two months’ worth in just three days.
Brechin’s Struggles and Lingering Concerns:
Brechin, a town severely impacted by the storm, witnessed more than 300 residents being evacuated as the River South Esk breached its banks, surging nearly 4 meters (13 feet) above its usual level. The streets were engulfed with rushing water, demonstrating the immense force of nature. Scottish authorities also warned that the River Don might breach its banks on Saturday, adding to the concerns. Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf emphasized that the communities affected must remain vigilant, as the storm’s impact is far from over.
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