Storm Babet Alert: UK Gears Up for Extreme Rain and Winds
The UK is on high alert as Storm Babet, the country’s second named storm this season, promises a barrage of rain and winds of up to 60mph. The Met Office has escalated its previous yellow warning to amber, signaling potential life-threatening conditions, especially in Scotland which is projected to experience intense “fast-flowing” floods.
The anticipated deluge could result in a month’s worth of rain, affecting areas as expansive as London to Northern Ireland and extending from Wednesday through Saturday. Scotland, in particular, is bracing for up to 200mm of rain, notably higher than its typical October average of 168mm.
#StormBabet is forecast to bring impactful heavy rain and strong winds to the UK from Wednesday this week
— Met Office (@metoffice) October 17, 2023
Here's what we know 👇
Steven Keates, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, highlighted the imminent dangers of the storm, emphasizing the potential flooding in eastern Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England. Warnings for intense winds, with gusts potentially surpassing 60mph in specific regions, have also been issued.
Here are the rainfall totals over the next 5 days, with parts of eastern Scotland approaching 200mm by Saturday ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/PhISYu0NCa
— Met Office (@metoffice) October 17, 2023
Travel disruptions are inevitable, with potential road closures and significant delays in bus and train services. Both National Rail and CrossCountry have already alerted passengers to potential disturbances in their schedules.
David Morgan from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) underscores the urgency of the situation, urging residents to take precautionary measures against potential flooding. The cumulative effects of recent heavy rain, high winds, and potential blockages due to debris could exacerbate the flooding situation.
SEPA, in collaboration with the Met Office, is continuously monitoring the situation, ready to issue flood alerts and warnings as needed.