Storm Franklin to strike UK as amber warning issued by Met Office
The UK is facing a third storm in four days as Storm Franklin has been officially named.
The Met Office announced this morning that the more strong winds and heavy rain are set to batter parts of the country on Sunday and Monday.
Authorities have urged residents of Northenden, and West and East Didsbury, to act after two severe flood risk warnings were issued for those areas of Greater Manchester.
Storm Franklin comes hot on the heels of Storm Eunice and Storm Dudley earlier this week, which saw gales of up to 122mph cause damage and travel chaos across the UK and Ireland.
Four people died in Storm Eunice, which hit on Friday and has caused an estimated £300,000 worth of damage, while tens of thousands of homes are still without power.
New amber and yellow weather warnings are now in place as the bad weather looks set to continue into next week.
Key Points
Show latest update
1645421797
Storm Franklin paralyses train networks
The National Rail on Monday said multiple train operating companies will be affected as Storm Franklin brought parts of the country — already affected by two storms in the last week — to a grinding halt.
Here are the companies affected by the storm:
- Avanti West Coast
- c2c
- Caledonian Sleeper
- Chiltern Railway
- CrossCountry
- East Midlands Railway
- Great Northern
- Great Western Railway
- Greater Anglia
- Heathrow Express
- London Northwestern Railway
- LNER
- Northern
- ScotRail
- Southeastern
- Southern
- South Western Railway
- Stansted Express
- Thameslink
- TransPennine Express
- Transport for Wales
- West Midlands Railway
Arpan Rai21 February 2022 05:36
1645420235
Southeastern railway asks people to not travel, cancels most routes
Storm Franklin has effectively rendered major trains services out of operation on Monday, forcing many to divert or cancel routes.
Southeastern railway confirmed that most routes on its line have been cancelled.
“A speed restriction will be in place as a safety precaution at least 4pm today, Monday 21 February, due to increased risk of fallen trees and debris,” officials said.
“There’s a reduced timetable in operation today due to Storm Franklin,” the railway posted on Twitter.
“Our advice is do not travel, if lines have to close, alternative transport will not be available,” they said.
Arpan Rai21 February 2022 05:10
1645419394
Recap: Britons warned to brace for strengthening winds and lashing rain
With Storm Frankin moving in overnight, Britons have been asked to prepare for strengthening winds.
An amber warning for wind has been issued which could cause a “risk to life” in Northern Ireland until 7am and a milder yellow wind warning ocovers England, Wales and south-western Scotland from midday until 1pm.
Hundred of alerts for flooding have been issued for across the UK, including two rare “severe” warnings where rainfall could also pose a “danger to life” for communities along the River Mersey in Greater Manchester.
The weekend witnessed strong wave crashing onto coastal areas as storms destroyed homes, forcing many to take shelter at safer places.
Officials from emergency services deployed flood defences as riverbanks swelled up on Sunday.
Laura Parnaby has the full report here.
Arpan Rai21 February 2022 04:56
1645418341
Thameslink alters train routes as Storm Franklin makes landfall
Officials from Thameslink train services on Monday altered key routes as Storm Franklin — third strong weather disturbance in a week — pummelled parts of the UK.
“Until further notice, services between Luton – Sutton and direct services between Cambridge – Three Bridges are suspended,” officials said on Monday.
Routes on Great Northern have also been affected as officials said services between Cambridge/Ely – Kings Cross will not run.
“An hourly train shuttle will run between Cambridge – Kings Lynn,” they said.
“We are recommending that you do not travel on the Southern network and Thameslink south of London on Monday,” officials said in the latest warning, asking commuters to check the latest service updates before taking necessary journeys and travelling.
Arpan Rai21 February 2022 04:39
1645418320
Officials issue diverted routes as train services affected on Southern line
Southern railway has said it will operate on a reduced service today as it prepares for Storm Franklin as well as recovers from “disruptive incidents” caused by Storm Eunice.
Officials said services between London and Portsmouth/ Southampton will divert after Barnham to Bognor Regis and restart from there.
Additionally, services between Littlehampton – Portsmouth and Southsea will run between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis.
The railway officials said they are working alongside to reopen all lines as quickly and safely as possible.
No trains will be running between today between Redhill – Tonbridge and trains won’t call at Battersea Park in the direction of Sutton / West Croydon, officials said in an update.
Services have been halted as there are trees on the line between Tulse Hill – Streatham, they said.
“Services due to run between Caterham and London Bridge will be diverted after East Croydon to London Bridge via Forest Hill calling at all stations,” officials said.
Commuter have been asked to keep extra time for travel by the officials, who said a late notice changes to service can be expected as the yellow weather warning remains in place.
Arpan Rai21 February 2022 04:38
1645417791
Train operators asks commuters to avoid travel as Storm Franklin picks up pace
Public transport in parts of the UK has taken a hit as Storm Franklin picked up pace overnight.
Passengers have been asked to “avoid travel if possible” by train operators on Monday as services are likely to slow down due to fast moving winds and heavy downpour.
People making essential journey should expect “major disruption” to routes “across most of Great Britain” including cancellations, delays and slower speeds onboard, warned National Rail.
TransPennine Express (TPE) has asked its daily users to “avoid travel if possible”, especially those wanting to travel to north of Preston in LAncashite before 10am.
“Those attending major events, including the Leeds United vs Manchester United match, should seek alternative transport where possible,” the transit system said in a statement on its website.
South of the country is expected to be particularly hard-hit by the strong storms during the morning rush hour.
Follow The Independent’s coverage on Storm Franklin here
Arpan Rai21 February 2022 04:29
1645415253
Storm Franklin makes landfall, hundreds to evacuate homes
Hundreds are bracing for tough conditions after Storm Franklin made landfall and hit parts of the UK, forcing many out of their homes.
Affected areas like Yorkshire and Manchester saw many residents leaving their homes for safety on Sunday as people feared overflowing rivers due to excessive rain.
At least two severe flood warnings were issued in Didsbury and Northenden in Greater Manchester by the Environment Agency, underlining that there is a risk of “danger to life”.
Storm Franklin is the third storm to hit the country in less than a week, ravaging the nation overnight to Monday.
It comes just days after Storm Eunice left at least four people dead in the UK and Ireland.
The week of storms has also left 1.4 million homes without power, out of which 55,800 are yet to be reconnected.
My colleagues Lamiat Sabin and Chiara Giordano have the full story here
Arpan Rai21 February 2022 03:47
1645413762
Welcome to The Independent’s live blog on the UK weather for Monday, 21 February.
Arpan Rai21 February 2022 03:22
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/uk-weather-storm-franklin-tracker-warning-b2019417.html
