UK: Flooding and associated disruptions due to Storm Gerrit ongoing across parts of the country as of early Dec. 28

Flooding and disruptions related to the passing of Storm Gerrit are ongoing across parts of the UK as of early Dec. 28. At least 18 British Airways (BA) flights at Heathrow Airport (LHR) and 15 flights at Kirkwall (KOI) and Sumburgh (LSI) airports were canceled Dec. 27. Most rail services across Scotland and all East Midlands Railway trains in England were suspended Dec. 27. ScotRail has suspended rail service on Aberdeen-Dundee, Inverness-Perth, Aberdeen-Inverness, West Highland, Kyle and Far North, Largs-Glasgow Central, Balloch-Bowling, Glasgow Central-Stranraer/Carlisle via Kilmarnock and Dumfries, Edinburgh-Helensburgh, and Balloch-Airdrie lines Dec. 28.

Authorities declared a major incident after hundreds of motorists were trapped for hours in their cars on the A9 between Drumochter and Dalwhinnie Dec. 27; the road reopened late Dec. 27. Ferry services to the Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland isles are affected. Officials canceled Red Jet passenger services between Southampton and Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Authorities also suspended Hovercraft services between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. Reports indicate that 27,000 properties across Scotland were without power at the height of the storm. Authorities have warned that customers in rural areas may need to wait up to 48 hours for the restoration of power, especially in the northeast of Scotland.

Hundreds of flood warnings and alerts remain in place along rivers and other water bodies across the UK. The Met Office UK is maintaining yellow wind and snow warnings across Orkney and Shetland Region and yellow wind warnings across North West England, Wales, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and Humber regions Dec. 28. Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as conditions change over the coming days.

Localized business disruptions are probable in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.