Travel Chaos as Storm Babet Hits Britain
Storm Babet caused widespread travel disruptions in Britain, with rail operators canceling trains and considering speed restrictions during the morning rush hour.
The Met Office issued an amber alert as the UK faced the impact of the second named storm of the season.
Storm Babet was expected to bring heavy rainfall and gale force winds, posing significant challenges.
Severe Weather Conditions
Eastern Scotland was predicted to bear the brunt of the storm, with a 36-hour amber warning in effect from 6am on Thursday until 6pm on Friday.
Yellow weather warnings covered much of the UK from Thursday to Saturday morning, and in some parts of Scotland, the alert level could even reach red, indicating a significant risk.
Travel Disruption and Potential Speed Restrictions
The severe weather led to travel disruption across the UK.
National Rail announced disruptions for CrossCountry and Great Western Railway services in the Exeter, Paignton, and Plymouth regions. The Dawlish line, running along the south Devon coastline, was particularly susceptible to severe weather conditions.
Impact of Storm Babet
The storm was forecasted to bring as much as 150mm to 200mm of rain to central and eastern Scotland, exceeding a typical month’s worth of rainfall.
Wind gusts of up to 70mph were expected to affect northern parts of the UK.
Communities, especially in Scotland and parts of England, were at risk of power cuts and potential building collapses due to flooding.
Met Office Weather Warnings
The Met Office issued a series of weather warnings for rain and wind, covering various regions and timeframes.
Surface water flooding, river flooding, and potential disruptions to essential services were major concerns. The east coast of Scotland was expected to face significant wave activity, further adding to the risks.
Preparation and Safety
The Met Office and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) collaborated to issue flood alerts and warnings ahead of the storm.
Residents were advised to prepare for potential flooding, and there was concern about debris blocking drainage systems due to high winds.
The public was urged to exercise extreme caution, especially near exposed cliffs, seafronts, and piers.
Travel Challenges and Frost
Southern England experienced its first autumn frost, with temperatures dropping below freezing.
This unexpected cold snap led to challenges for motorists and car batteries, causing the RAC to anticipate an increased number of callouts. Such frost had not been witnessed in 172 days.
Storm Babet’s Impact on Ireland
In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann issued orange weather warnings for Cork and Waterford due to heavy rain and blustery winds.
The warning was in effect from 6am until 6am the next day, with residents advised to prepare for considerable rainfall, strong winds, and challenging driving conditions.
Yellow Rain Warnings and Regional Alerts
Additional yellow rain warnings were issued for various regions, including Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, Kilkenny, Wexford, Connacht, Antrim, Armagh, and Down. These alerts highlighted the potential for poor visibility, localized flooding, and difficulties on the road.