Yellow weather warnings for wind and heavy rain have been issued across Wales and southern England as Storm Herminia moves into the UK.
Following the devastation caused by Storm Éowyn last week, which left two dead and caused extensive damage, Storm Herminia raises fresh concerns of flooding, power outages, and travel disruption.
Weather Warnings Issued as Storm Herminia Hits
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind and rain across southern England until 10:00 GMT on Tuesday and south-west Wales until 21:00 on Monday. Gusts of up to 70mph are expected along coastal areas, with inland wind speeds reaching 50mph.
Forecasters warn of potential damage to buildings, rapid flash flooding, and transport delays.
Commuters using ScotRail, Transport for Wales, and CrossCountry services have been advised to check for updates before traveling, as strong winds and rain continue to impact the network.
Weekend Chaos and Flooding Reports
Over the weekend, Storm Herminia recorded wind gusts of 83mph in Berry Head, Devon, and 81mph in Capel Curig, North Wales. In Somerset, significant flooding forced staff at a Sainsbury’s store to clear water from the premises. Meanwhile, volunteers from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rescued seven American students stranded on a tidal island off western Wales.
In Barrington, Somerset, teams were pictured clearing a landslide that blocked a major road less than 15 miles from Taunton.
Storm Herminia’s Origin and Impacts in Europe
Named by Spain’s Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) on Friday, Herminia first struck northern Spain with heavy rain and wind gusts exceeding 62mph. Western France experienced significant flooding, with cars and buildings submerged. French authorities are still searching for a British sailor after his yacht was found destroyed near the French coast.
While Storm Herminia is not classified as an official storm by the Met Office due to its intensity, its arrival comes on the heels of Storm Éowyn, which was declared one of the most powerful storms to hit the UK in a decade.
Storm Éowyn’s Aftermath: A Stark Climate Warning
Storm Éowyn caused widespread power outages and infrastructure damage, leaving nearly a million properties without electricity across the UK and Ireland. Two fatalities were reported after trees fell on vehicles in East Ayrshire, Scotland, and County Donegal, Ireland.
By Sunday, 65,000 homes and businesses in Northern Ireland remained without power, and 10 schools were closed on Monday due to storm-related damage. ScotRail reported over 500 incidents, including 120 trees falling onto tracks.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney described Éowyn as a “stark warning that climate change is with us,” urging further action to mitigate its impacts.
