Summary

  • The aftermath of Storm Henk is causing disruption across the UK, with floods, fallen trees, power cuts, and cancelled train services

  • On Wednesday, police said a man was killed in Gloucestershire when a falling tree hit his car on Tuesday

  • Almost 300 flood warnings are in place in England, with others in Wales and Scotland

  • On the railways, disruption was expected on Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Great Western and Thameslink services

  • Thousands of homes remain without power across England and Wales according to the Energy Networks Association

  • And a man from Bournemouth has spoken of a "slightly terrifying" incident on the London Eye yesterday, when a roof hatch blew open mid-ride

  1. Goodbye from your London teampublished at 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Well it's nearing 16:00 GMT here in London and we've been keeping you across the impact of Storm Henk on the country.

    From sewage spills to power cuts, the storm has caused widespread havoc across England and Wales, which you can read and watch more about here:

    Despite the wet weather continuing we are stopping here, but you can follow all the updates from our BBC regions and weather.

    This live page was brought to you by Emily McGarvey, Marie Jackson, Gem O'Reilly, Emily Atkinson, Andrew Humphrey, Thomas Mackintosh, Laura Gozzi and Pippa Allen-Kinross.

  2. We're off, but the rain's notpublished at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Flood water from the River Avon surrounds a sign in Stratford-upon-AvonImage source, Getty Images

    We'll be ending our live coverage of the aftermath of Storm Henk shortly. Here's a look at the key developments from today:

    Flooding: We began today with the news that in England alone more than 300 flood warnings had been issued

    Train trouble: The high water levels soon caused significant disruption on railway services across the UK, with flooding on lines and in tunnels leading to cancellations and delays

    Sewage spill: But it wasn't just travel that felt the impacts. In Surrey, raw sewage from storm tanks overflowed onto a public footpath. Thames Water has since apologised

    Holiday park surrounded: And in Northamptonshire, residents at the Billing Aquadrome holiday park were evacuated from houseboats and caravans due to rising waters on the River Nene

    Power cuts: Meanwhile, thousands of homes are still without power across England and Wales, according to the Energy Networks Association

    Fallen trees: We've also seen lots of reports of fallen trees. One such incident saw a man in his 50s killed in Gloucestershire when one fell and hit his car while he was driving

    London Eye: A man from Bournemouth has spoken of a "slightly terrifying" incident on the London Eye yesterday, when a roof hatch blew open mid-ride

    More rain to come: While Storm Henk has largely moved onto Scandinavia, the Met Office has warned of further rainfall over the next few days - with a yellow weather warning in place overnight on Thursday

    Bridge rescue: Earlier this morning, we brought you the story of a man who rescued a woman and her three-year-old child from a car submerged in flood water in Birmingham. You can watch a clip from the dramatic rescue below

    For the latest on the forecast, keep an eye on BBC Weather here.

    Media caption,

    Watch: Birmingham river rescue

  3. Family with young baby await rescue from flooded homepublished at 15:38 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Flooding outside the home of Mr Davidge in LoughboroughImage source, Jacob Davidge
    Image caption,

    Davidge shared this picture of flooding outside his home

    Jacob Davidge who lives in Loughborough says he and his family, including his seven-month-old baby, are waiting to be rescued from their flooded home which has been "overwhelmed" by the rising water.

    His home was flooded in the early hours of this morning after a nearby canal bank burst and his family have been sheltering upstairs with "no food and just seven bottles of milk" for his baby.

    His father-in-law raised the alarm after returning home from work at midnight and seeing water at the front of the house.

    "At 1am My wife woke me up to say there was water everywhere and so I went down to help my father-in-law. It was about 1cm of water in the house and outside," Davidge says.

    Flood water inside the home of Jacob DavidgeImage source, Jacob Davidge
    Image caption,

    Davidge says they managed to remove some possessions out of the way of the water, including the Christmas tree

    “We started using buckets to try and tip it out but realised it was rising and by 3am it was up to our knees, so we tried to then salvage our possessions."

    Davidge says the family managed to get sofa cushions, books and even the Christmas tree to safety upstairs, where his family has stayed put.

    He says he spoke to the fire service who advised him to contact the council and they are waiting for people to help them.

  4. Storm Henk: Helicopter footage shows extent of floodingpublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Media caption,

    Storm Henk: Helicopter footage shows extent of flooding

    Helicopter footage filmed across Northamptonshire shows houses partially submerged and dams flooding in the county.

    Mobile homes at Billing Aquadrome, a holiday park located in Northamptonshire, were also seen surrounded by water.

    Storm Henk has caused huge damage across the UK, with winds of more than 90mph sweeping across some regions.

  5. Watch: Henk whips up Weston-super-Mare sandpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Media caption,

    Watch: Weston-super-Mare sand stirred up by strong winds

    Not such a lovely day to be by the seaside as Storm Henk drives sand along the beach at Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset.

    Watch the clip above to see people braving the strong winds.

  6. What's the latest on rail networks?published at 15:01 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    First thing this morning we reported on significant disruption on railways across the country following the aftermath of Storm Henk.

    The good news now, for the most part, is that Network Rail says "services are now returning to normal following the severe weather yesterday".

    • One of the worst affected operators was Great Western Railway, which has reported delays and cancellations across the south west due to flooding, including in Cornwall, Bristol and Cardiff - passengers are advised to check before they travel
    • Southern, Great Northern, the Gatwick Express and Thameslink also warned of possible weather-related disruption, but this has now cleared - according to National Rail
    • Chiltern have also reported blockages on lines due to flooding in the West Midlands, while a fallen tree disrupted its Bicester and Banbury train services
    • CrossCountry said the line to Birmingham New Street is expected to be closed for the remainder of the day due to flooding between Bristol Parkway and Cheltenham Spa
    • Earlier, Greater Anglia said it was experiencing "severe disruption", issuing "Do Not Travel warnings" on its routes between Cambridge North and Ely, and Ipswich to Norwich, Cambridge, and Peterborough. All lines have since reopened
  7. In pictures: Flooding around the UKpublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    As disruption from Storm Henk continues across the country, BBC Weather Watchers have shared photographs of flooding from around the UK.

    Flooding in Naburn, YorkImage source, Gary Gimmick
    Image caption,

    The village of Naburn in York is experiencing rising waters

    Flooded fields in Llanymynech, PowysImage source, Grum
    Image caption,

    Wales has also seen flooding, including in Llanymynech, Powys

    Flood water near a church in Aylesby, North East Lincolnshire.Image source, Sweepie
    Image caption,

    Flood water near a church in Aylesby, North East Lincolnshire

    A flooded field in Northenden, ManchesterImage source, Tony Lyons
    Image caption,

    A flooded field in Northenden, Manchester

    Flooding in Shrewsbury, ShropshireImage source, thistle treader
    Image caption,

    Flooding has also hit Shrewsbury in Shropshire

    Waterlogged fields in Allanton, the Scottish BordersImage source, NJ
    Image caption,

    Waterlogged fields in Allanton, the Scottish Borders

  8. What we know about the man who died in the stormpublished at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Police close road in Gloucestershire
    Image caption,

    Police closed the road this morning while the investigation continues

    Earlier today, we heard that a man in Gloucestershire died after a tree fell on his car in high winds during Storm Henk.

    The victim, who has not yet been named, was in his 50s and from Bath, and his next of kin have been informed, police said.

    The air ambulance attended the incident but despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene, close to the junction with the A429.

    The road remains closed as recovery and investigation work continues and motorists have been told to find alternative routes.

    Read more here.

  9. Raw sewage overflows onto public footpath in Surreypublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Pollution spread over a public footpath beyond the fence of the unmanned Thames Water facilityImage source, Lisa Scott

    Thames Water has apologised after raw sewage from storm tanks overflowed onto a public footpath in Horley, Surrey.

    Lisa Scott, chair of Charlwood Parish Council, said action had been promised after a previous incident.

    Singer and campaigner Feargal Sharkey claimed on X, formerly Twitter, that Thames Water had "given up any attempt to contain and treat their sewage".

    Thames Water said a temporary pump has now been installed.

    You can read more on this story here.

  10. Stonehaven Harbour pummelled by big wavespublished at 14:20 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Media caption,

    Watch: Big waves hit Stonehaven Harbour

    In Scotland, Storm Henk has been creating difficult conditions on the east coast, with big waves hitting the harbour at Stonehaven, south of Aberdeen, this morning.

    Click play above to see the conditions.

  11. Hundreds of flood warnings remain, with a severe one in Tenbypublished at 14:06 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Flooding outside a Gulf petrol station in Tenby in WalesImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Flooding outside a Gulf petrol station in Tenby in Wales

    Let's bring you the latest on the various flood warning situations across the UK.

    Starting with England, the Environment Agency says, external in the last 24 hours 125 flood warnings have been removed, but 293 remain in place - this means flooding is expected and "immediate action" is required.

    Elswhere there are 316 flood alerts across England - which means flooding is possible.

    Over the border in Wales, officials have eight warnings in place, external including a "severe" one for the River Ritec at Tenby.

    Natural Resources says water levels in the Ritec have been rising steadily since yesterday morning and are likely to stay high for several days.

    This is putting the the community at risk of severe disruption with a significant risk to life. It adds there have been reports of raw sewage in the floodwater.

    Up in Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has one flood warning, external in place in Orkney - two previous alerts in Aberdeenshire and Caithness have been removed.

    Northern Ireland currently still has no warnings, external in place.

  12. Watch: 'He just jumped in... saved both of them'published at 13:53 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Media caption,

    Watch: Birmingham river rescue

    Earlier this morning we brought you the story of Liam Stych who rescued a woman and her three-year-old child from a car submerged in flood water at a ford in a river in Birmingham.

    Well now you can see video from the dramatic rescue and hear from the man himself.

  13. What's been happening?published at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Flood water is pumped from the Vue Bar after the River Severn burst its banksImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Flood water is pumped from the Vue Bar after the River Severn burst its banks

    It's been a busy day here in our London newsroom chasing all the reports of delays, disruption and damage across the UK.

    There's a lot to take in, so for those of you just joining us, here's a lunchtime digest:

    • Storm Henk is continuing to wreak havoc throughout the country, with floods, fallen trees, power cuts, and cancelled train services
    • Almost 300 flood warnings are in place in England, with others in Wales and Scotland
    • We've been sharing dramatic images of some of the flooding, including in Northampton, Derby and Worcestershire
    • There has been significant disruption on the railways, including on Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Great Western and Thameslink services
    • Meanwhile, thousands of homes are still without power across England and Wales, according to the Energy Networks Association
    • Earlier today, police said a man in his 50s was killed in Gloucestershire when a falling tree hit his car while he was driving
    • Although the storm has largely passed through, the Met Office is warning of more rain over the next few days - with some parts of southern England expected to see up to 50mm
  14. In pictures: Holiday park surrounded by waterpublished at 13:20 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Earlier, we reported that residents at the Billing Aquadrome holiday park near Northampton had been evacuated from houseboats and caravans due to rising waters on the River Nene.

    We can now bring you aerial shots from the area, showing holiday homes surrounded by water:

    Holiday homes at the Billing Aquadrome in Northampton surrounded by waterImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    A severe flood warning, meaning danger to life, was in place earlier for the River Nene, which warned of deep and fast-flowing water

    Holiday homes at the Billing Aquadrome in Northampton surrounded by waterImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The flood warning has since been downgraded, but water levels remain high in the area

    Holiday homes at the Billing Aquadrome in Northampton surrounded by waterImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    One evacuee, Robert Britchford, estimates about 2,000 people have been evacuated. Another, Eddie Hancock, says he's never seen the water level so high in around 30 years of living in the area

  15. 'Slightly nerve-wracking': Family stuck at top of London Eye in stormpublished at 13:07 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    More from David Nock's account of being stuck more than 400ft (135m) above the Thames as the London Eye capsule he was in was hit by Storm Henk.

    Earlier, David, from Bournemouth, told BBC Radio Solent about his family who had been visiting from Australia.

    "One of the highlights was a trip on the London Eye," he said. "We had been around for the day and it had been blowing but not huge amounts.

    "It really took hold when we were right at the top. It started blowing a hooley and there is an escape hatch on the roof of the pod and at some point that made an almighty creaking and bang and it got ripped off.

    "It was slightly nerve-wracking."

    David explains the pod had been "stopping and starting" as it crept up to the highest point of the viewpoint - but said they were stuck at the summit for five minutes as the escape hatch fluttered in the wind.

    "We could see the hatch was still attached, but the concern then was if it came off a potentially large and heavy object [would be] flying off it.

    "There were moments when the wind was very strong and very noisy up there.

    "We had six kids with us, Nana Sue who was in her 70s and another chap who was saying his prayers - he was nervous indeed."

    But, David said everyone was able to disembark safely and staff were able to assess the damage after they left the pod.

  16. Watch: London Eye staff assess hatch blown open by high windspublished at 12:56 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Media caption,

    Terrified man describes moment hatch ripped off London Eye pod by Storm Henk

    A London Eye passenger has described the moment a roof hatch began to blow off in high winds on Tuesday as Storm Henk hit.

    David Nock, from Bournemouth, was on the 135m-high (443ft) tourist attraction when he said the roof hatch started to come off with "an almighty creak".

    London Eye said there had been an "isolated technical issue" and it had closed for a brief period due to adverse weather conditions.

    Watch the clip above to see staff assessing the hatch that had blown open.

  17. More rain to come, says Met Officepublished at 12:48 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    People walk in the rain in York, Yorkshire.Image source, PA Media

    We'd been hoping for some respite from the rain, but it seems the weather has other ideas.

    In an update, external, the Met Office warns of a few more unsettled days - "with the risk of rain never too far away".

    The forecaster says low pressure to the northwest of the UK will push showers across the country from the west today.

    While these will be "less impactful" than the recent rain, "some of the showers could be heavy with the risk of hail and thunder across the south of the UK", it adds.

    The Met Office has issued a new yellow weather warning, external for rain from 12:00 on Thursday to 03:00 on Friday morning.

    Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert says a few places will see as much as 40-50mm of rain but adds "much of this rain is falling on already wet ground and therefore impacts are more likely," he says.

  18. In pictures: Storm Henk damage across the UKpublished at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Almost 300 flood warnings are in place in England, while thousands of homes are without power due to fallen trees from Storm Henk.

    Here's a look at some of the damage it's caused.

    A flooded playground in St Neots, CambridgeshireImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    A flooded playground in St Neots, Cambridgeshire

    Crushed car in Stanford le Hope
    Image caption,

    Crushed car in Stanford le Hope

    A flooded petrol station in Denbigh, Wales
    Image caption,

    A flooded petrol station in Denbigh, Wales

    The River Great Ouse overflowing into a car park in St Neots, CambridgeshireImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The River Great Ouse overflowing into a car park in St Neots, Cambridgeshire

    A tree blown over in IpswichImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    A tree blown over in Ipswich

  19. 'It's a bit wet' - Derby Rugby pitches under waterpublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    Pitches at Derby Rugby Club have been flooded by water from the River Derwent.

    The club is based in Haslams Lane in Darley Abbey, in the East Midlands.

    Its social media team seemed to see the light side of the matter, posting on X earlier and describing conditions as "a bit wet".

    Flooded pitches
    Flooded pitches
  20. Watch: 'Oh my, look at that'published at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 3 January

    A resident of Barton in Fabis gives his reaction to flooding near the River Trent in Nottingham.

    You can hear what Stefan Barcikowski has to say about the water surrounding his property in the video below.

    Stefan's chickens were safe and had "gone to bed" in their ark, he says.

    Media caption,

    Watch: Flooding in Nottingham