The storm Herminia has unleashed chaos throughout the United Kingdom, bringing severe floods and travel interruptions, particularly in the southern regions, days after the Eowyn storm hit parts of the country and the Republic of Ireland. Heavy rain and strong winds brought by the storm have caused significant damage, especially in Somerset, where homes and roads were submerged, which led to the authorities that declare an important incident, according to a report in BBC.
“After intense rain in the region on the weekend, several parts of Somerset were flooded, including roads and some houses in the center of Chard and Ilminster,” said a spokesman for the Council to the media.
“With the stronger expected rains, it was called an important incident and the decision was made to carry out precautionary evacuations for residents living in properties in the worst affected areas.”
The yellow warning of rain spells that could lead to floods was also issued until 9 pm on Tuesday (January 28). In total, the Environment Agency has issued 37 flood warnings, where floods are expected, in southern England and Midlands. Another 171 alerts, where floods are possible, are in their place throughout England.
“The impacts are probable in parts of the south of England during Monday and Tuesday, with the continuous possible impacts on Wednesday and Thursday,” said Ben Likey, flood manager of the Environment Agency.
The trips have been severely impacted, with Heathrow airport experiencing significant delays and cancellations. According to him London Evening Standard, FThe lights in Heathrow have been beaten by the storm Herminia, causing travel chaos not only in the United Kingdom but throughout Europe.
A landslide between three bridges and Gatwick airport in Sussex has also led to some train lines to the north being blocked.
Why so many storms in the United Kingdom?
Between October and December, the United Kingdom was mistreated by Ashley, Bert, Connall and Darragh storms, which means that the country has witnessed four consecutive months without a rest of the weather. According to experts in the weather office, the prevalence of storms can be explained by one of the key drivers of the United Kingdom climate: the Jet Stream.
A stream current is an air column in the atmosphere that causes changes in wind and pressure at that level. The effects of this feel closer to the surface, as has been evident in the United Kingdom, which falls on the path of low pressure systems, where unstable climatic conditions occur.