2024 United Kingdom floods explained

In 2024, the United Kingdom experienced flooding. In early January, Storm Henk resulted in severe weather warnings and floods across the English Midlands. In April, flooding was widespread across England particularly on the south coast and the North East in the aftermath of Storm Kathleen and Storm Pierrick.

January

Storm Henk brought damaging winds and persistent rain to parts of England and Wales on 2 January, prompting severe weather warnings to be issued across the country.[1] This led to more than 300 flood warnings being issued by the Environment Agency, with extensive flooding affecting the River Trent, Severn, Avon and Thames.[2] Further bands of heavy rain over the following days worsened the situation, and a major incident was declared in Nottinghamshire on 4 January.[3] The worst of the flooding occurred across parts of the Midlands including Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.[4]

In Stratford-upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company cancelled two nights of performances due to rising water levels on the River Avon.[5] In Loughborough, the Grand Union Canal burst its banks resulting in dozens of homes being flooded.[6] In Great Billing, the leisure park Billing Aquadrome was evacuated on 3 January due to severe flooding.[7] In Shrewsbury, several residents were forced to leave their homes as a result of rising water levels on the River Severn at Welsh Bridge.[8] In Worcester, the city centre was partially affected by flooding.[9]

Dunham Bridge, which carries the A57 over the River Trent, was closed to motorists for over a week.[10] A number of roads were closed due to flooding in Nottinghamshire, such as the A6097 at Gunthorpe and the A617 at Kelham.[11] Several roads in Gloucestershire were closed due to flooding, including the A417 at Maisemore which remained closed for over a week.[12] In Alney Island, residents were evacuated from their homes as flood defences were close to overtopping.[13]

April

In the aftermath of both Storm Kathleen and Storm Pierrick,[14] a combination of an 'exceptionally' high tide and strong winds caused significant floods across the country overnight on 8 April, especially along the south coast of England.[15] On 9 April, 43 flood warnings and 201 flood alerts were in place across England and Wales.[16]

The River Arun in West Sussex burst its banks, leading to extensive flooding which caused one hospitalisation and the evacuation of over 200 people.[17] A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said there were three severe flooding incidents in Earnley, Littlehampton and Bracklesham.[18] One person was taken to hospital with hypothermia after the evacuation of over 180 people from the Medmerry Holiday Park near Earnley.[19] In Littlehampton, firefighters had to evacuate 15 people after 42 caravans and properties in Ferry Road and Rope Walk flooded, with a refuge centre being set up by the council at the Littlehampton Wave leisure centre.[20] 20 people were evacuated from the Bracklesham Caravan and Boat Club and the A259 road in Shoreham-by-Sea was completely flooded.[21]

Flooding was particularly severe in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. In Alverstoke, firefighters had to help residents from around 50 homes to safety after they were flooded.[22] Many coastal roads were left impassable, including Castle Street in East Cowes and Western Shore near Southampton, and flooding meant trains were unable to run at the Lymington Pier railway station.[23] In Portsmouth, the high tides led to waves crashing over the sea wall near Clarence Pier, flooding the Old Portsmouth, Spice Island and Gunwharf areas.[24] Two people were rescued by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service on Hayling Island after high waters submerged their vehicles.[25]

In Dorset, areas flooded included Hamworthy,[26] Mudeford[27] and Weymouth Harbour.[28]

In Bristol, the Portway, which is a part of the A4, was flooded, and rail tracks between Clifton Down and Severn Beach were closed due to flooding after water rose above the tracks.[29]

Floods also affected Cornwall with trains being cancelled and roads closed.[30] Large waves hit Porthleven,[31] a number of beach huts were swept into sea at Falmouth[32] and many streets in Looe were flooded with seawater.[33]

Areas of Northern England were affected by floods on 9 April. In Tyne and Wear, parts of the River Tyne burst its banks, with part of Newcastle's Quayside being flooded despite the presence of flood barriers. Flooding on the rail line between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Newcastle were flooding, causing major disruption for passengers. In Northumberland, part of the A189 road was shut down after it was flooded and the River Aln flooded large areas of countryside near Alnmouth. A farmer near Wooler said he lost 12 lambs due to the flooding.[34] In Merseyside, four workers had to be rescued from a cafe by the RNLI in West Kirby after the South Parade was flooded.[35]

Rail services from northern England to Scotland and Wales were affected by flooding, including those from Carlisle to Glasgow and Edinburgh and Crewe to Holyhead.[36]

May

On 12 May, a thunderstorm on the hottest day of the year lead to heavy rain and flooding.[37] Herefordshire was particularly affected where flash flooding damaged roads in Ross-on-Wye.[38] Broad Street and Brookend Street were heavy damaged.[39] Pavements were ripped up causing disruption to local businesses.[40]

August

At the start of August, flash floods hit parts of England following heavy rains brought by thunderstorms. In Surrey, flash flooding hit Burpham and Guildford, blocking roads and stranding cars. The Square shopping centre in Camberley was closed after it was inundated with water, and racing was abandonded at Epsom Downs.[41] In Hampshire, the city of Winchester was hit by flash floods which caused disruption to South Western Railway services and forced the closure of roads.[42] Flooding was also reported in Newbury, Berkshire.[43] In the West Midlands, roads were also blocked by flooding in Birmingham and the Black Country.[44]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2 January 2024 . Storm Henk named by Met Office . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240104112849/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2023/storm-henk-named-by-met-office . 4 January 2024 . 10 January 2024 . Met Office.
  2. News: 5 January 2024 . Drier weather on the horizon . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240109020025/https://www.bbc.com/weather/features/67883889 . 9 January 2024 . 10 January 2024 . BBC Weather.
  3. News: 4 January 2024 . Major incident declared in Nottinghamshire due to flooding. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240109210350/https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/newsroom/news/major-incident-declared-in-nottinghamshire-due-to-flooding . 9 January 2024 . 10 January 2024 . Nottinghamshire County Council Newsroom.
  4. Web site: 8 January 2024 . Statement on Storm Henk . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240110220409/https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/statement-on-storm-henk . 10 January 2024 . 10 January 2024 . GOV.UK.
  5. News: Farrington . Dayna . 3 January 2024 . Top theatre cancels shows for second night and says 'we are very sorry' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112131220/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/top-theatre-cancels-shows-second-28385021 . 12 January 2024 . 12 January 2024 . Birmingham Live.
  6. News: 3 January 2024 . Families trapped in flooded homes after canal bursts its banks during Storm Henk . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112131220/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/families-trapped-flooded-homes-canal-145404771.html . 12 January 2024 . 12 January 2024 . Yahoo News . SWNS.
  7. Web site: 3 January 2024 . Storm Henk: Billing Aquadrome evacuation continues as water safety warnings remain in place . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112131405/https://www.northants.police.uk/news/northants/news/news/2024/january/storm-henk-billing-aquadrome-evacuation-continues-as-water-safety-warnings-remain-in-place/ . 12 January 2024 . 12 January 2024 . Northamptonshire Police.
  8. News: Paige . Faith . 4 January 2024 . Storm Henk: Flooding forces Shrewsbury residents out of homes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240207001047/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-67877026 . 7 February 2024 . 12 January 2024 . BBC News.
  9. News: Albutt . Charlotte . 5 January 2024 . Dramatic drone footage shows extent of flooding across Worcester . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112131221/https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24030660.worcester-floods-2024-drone-video-shows-extent-flooding/ . 12 January 2024 . 12 January 2024 . Worcester News.
  10. News: McKenna . David . Parkhill . Harry . 10 January 2024 . Lincolnshire flooding: Dunham Bridge remains closed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112025100/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67935236 . 12 January 2024 . 12 January 2024 . BBC News.
  11. News: Noble . Samantha . 4 January 2024 . Nottinghamshire County Council declares major incident due to flooding . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240111190625/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-67881913 . 11 January 2024 . 12 January 2024 . BBC News.
  12. News: Norris . Phil . 10 January 2024 . Main road reopens more than a week after closure due to flooding . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240112131220/https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/a417-maisemore-reopens-eight-days-9024651 . 12 January 2024 . 12 January 2024 . Gloucestershire Live.
  13. News: Brown . Shannon . 5 January 2024 . Gloucester residents evacuated as flood defences near breaking point . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203050849/https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/live-residents-evacuated-near-gloucester-9014834 . 3 February 2024 . 10 February 2024 . Gloucestershire Live.
  14. News: Gecsoyler . Sammy . 2024-04-09 . Storm Kathleen: 200 evacuated after River Arun overflows in West Sussex . 2024-04-09 . . 0261-3077.
  15. News: Flooding and travel warnings as unusually high tides hit UK . 2024-04-09 . BBC News.
  16. News: 2024-04-09 . Flooding and travel disruption as high tides and winds hit UK . 2024-04-09 . BBC News.
  17. News: 'Scary' West Sussex flooding: Rescuers warn public to 'get to high ground' with water rising - as evacuations continue . 2024-04-09 . Sky News.
  18. News: 2024-04-09 . 'Petrified' residents watched water 'go higher and higher' . 2024-04-09 . The Argus.
  19. News: 2024-04-09 . West Sussex flooding: One in hospital after holiday park flooding . 2024-04-09 . BBC News.
  20. News: 2024-04-09 . Major incident declared and refuge centre set up after severe flooding . 2024-04-09 . The Argus.
  21. News: 2024-04-09 . Business 'extensively damaged' as main seafront road flooded . 2024-04-09 . The Argus.
  22. News: Webb . Freddie . 2024-04-09 . Gosport flooding: Families "distraught" as residents evacuated from homes with garden becoming swimming pool . 2024-04-09 . The News.
  23. News: 2024-04-09 . Hampshire and Isle of Wight: High tides bring coastal flooding . 2024-04-09 . BBC News.
  24. News: 2024-04-09 . Footage shows city high-tide flooding . 2024-04-09 . BBC News.
  25. News: Webb . Freddie . 2024-04-09 . Hayling Island flooding: Two people rescued after being trapped in vehicles submerged in water . 2024-04-09 . The News.
  26. Web site: 2024-04-09 . Hamworthy Park flooded after strong winds and high tides . 2024-04-09 . Bournemouth Echo.
  27. Web site: 2024-04-09 . PICTURES: Flooding at Mudeford Quay amid warning . 2024-04-09 . Bournemouth Echo.
  28. Web site: 2024-04-09 . PICTURES: High spring tide floods parts of quayside . 2024-04-09 . Dorset Echo.
  29. News: 2024-04-09 . West's seafronts closed and railway hit by floods . 2024-04-09 . BBC News.
  30. Web site: Brown . Shannon . 2024-04-09 . Trains cancelled and roads closed due to flooding in Cornwall . 2024-04-09 . Cornwall Live.
  31. Web site: Denton . Maxine . 2024-04-07 . Giant Storm Kathleen waves filmed swamping unwisely parked car . 2024-04-09 . Cornwall Live.
  32. Web site: Reines . Jeff . 2024-04-09 . Video shows scenes of destruction after beach huts swept into sea . 2024-04-09 . Cornwall Live.
  33. News: 2024-04-09 . Storm Pierrick: Looe and Porthleven battered by strong winds and high tide . 2024-04-09 . ITV News.
  34. News: 2024-04-09 . Parts of north-east England warned of more flooding to come . 2024-04-10 . BBC News.
  35. News: 2024-04-10 . Staff at West Kirby cafe saved by RNLI after torrential rain and strong winds cause flooding . 2024-04-10 . ITV News.
  36. News: 2024-04-09 . Flooding and travel disruption as high tides and winds hit UK . 2024-04-09 . BBC News.
  37. News: Haque . Sarah . 2024-05-12 . Warnings of heavy rain across UK after hottest day of year . 2024-05-13 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  38. Web site: 2024-05-13 . Ross-on-Wye flooding rips up road and pavement . 2024-05-13 . BBC News . en-GB.
  39. Web site: 2024-05-13 . Ross-on-Wye flooding rips up road and pavement . 2024-05-13 . BBC News . en-GB.
  40. Web site: 2024-05-13 . Flash flood rips up road and pavement in Ross . 2024-05-13 . Monmouthshire Beacon.
  41. News: Gupta . Tanya . 1 August 2024 . Cars stranded after storms bring floods . 1 August 2024 . BBC News.
  42. News: 2024-08-01 . Winchester: Roads closed after flash flooding in high street . 2024-08-01 . BBC News.
  43. News: Gosney . Mirek . 2024-08-01 . Flash flooding hits Newbury . 2024-08-01 . Newbury Today.
  44. News: Lawson . Eleanor . 2024-08-01 . Traffic delays in Birmingham and the Black Country after flooding . 2024-08-01 . BBC News.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2024 United Kingdom floods".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.