UK: Flood warnings and disruptions due to Storm Dennis February 16 /update 3

Event

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued several flood warnings including three severe flood warnings in the Scottish Borders council area as of 02:50 (local time) on Sunday, February 16, due to Storm Dennis. SEPA issued flood warnings for areas throughout the country, while ScotRail authorities advised individuals in west Scotland not to travel. Rail operations at Glasgow Central Low Level were suspended for a few hours on Saturday, February 16. The army deployed throughout the UK on Saturday to facilitate flood relief services. 

National Rail officials warned of disruptions on journeys between London Euston, the West Midlands and Chiltern, Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire, and Cumbria. Speed restrictions and amended services have been implemented for a number of lines, potentially causing delays and cancelations. Further information can be found on the National Rail website. Rail lines including London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Thameslink, South Western Railway, Southeastern, Gatwick Express, and Great Northern confirmed disruptions as of early Sunday morning.  London Stansted Airport (STN) representatives announced that the Stansted Express service is suspended until 17:00 on Sunday. Transport for Wales (TfW) also confirmed speed restrictions would be in place on Sunday. 

Several airlines canceled flights to and from the UK on Saturday; Easyjet reportedly canceled 350 flights, while British Airways informed passengers due to fly on Saturday that they are eligible to rebook their flight on any day between Sunday and Wednesday, February 19. Further flight cancelations or delays are expected in the coming hours and days.

The MetOffice has issued amber rain warnings until 15:00 on Sunday in several areas across England, while yellow warnings for strong wind and rain are in place for several areas across the UK. Authorities said that the storm may also lead to power outages and disruptive waves in coastal areas.

Related transportation disruptions to land, rail, air, and ferry services, hazardous driving conditions, and power outages are therefore to be expected over the coming hours and days. 

Advice

Individuals in or traveling to the UK are advised to monitor local weather reports, prepare for significant transportation disruptions (including road closures) and power outages, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.