Storm Babet – live: Flooding could continue next week, as Met Office issues new ice warnings

New flood warnings are expected to last into next week, the Environment Agency has said, after the torrential rain brought by Storm Babet saw hundreds of properties submerged in water.

Maureen Gilbert, an 83-year-old grandmother who died trying to flee her flooded home in Derbyshire, was confirmed on Sunday to be one of as many as seven people killed during weather-related indicents since Storm Babet made landfall.

Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued further overnight warnings for ice, which will remain in force in Scotland and northern England until 9am on Monday.

In England, where more than 1,250 properties have been flooded, Nottinghamshire County Council urged residents in 500 homes to evacuate as it declared a major incident in Retford due to high water levels along the River Idle.

The Environment Agency said more flood warnings are expected for some of the worst affected areas into next week – despite severe flood warnings, meaning risk of death or serious injury, being lifted.

Key Points

• Flooding could last until next week, Environment Agency says

• New ice warnings issued by Met Office

• Housebound grandmother died trying to flee flooded home

• Storm Babet death toll rises to seven

Storm Babet no longer affecting UK, Met Office says

10:07 , Alexander Butler

Storm Babet is no longer affecting the UK, the Met Office said.

“Storm Babet is no longer impacting the UK. The storm brought some extreme rainfall and strong winds to the UK from Monday to Saturday last week.

“The weather this week is continuing to look unsettled with more rain and showers at times but nowhere near as extreme as last week, much more typical for the time of year,” a spokesperson told The Independent.

Scottish First Minister to visit flood-hit Brechin

08:54 , Alexander Butler

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf will visit flood-hit Brechin today to see the damage caused by Storm Babet.

During his visit Mr Yousaf is expected to meet residents affected by the flooding and thank volunteers, local authority staff and emergency service personnel who played a part in the evacuation.

It comes after a conservative councillor for Brechin urged the Scottish government to increase funding for the area and warned it could take “years” to resolve the damage.

Flooding damage will take 'years' to resolve

08:41 , Alexander Butler

Flooding damage caused by Storm Babet could take “years” to resolve, a local councillor said.

“I can tell you the repercussions of the flooding will take months and years to resolve,” conservative councillor Gavin Nicol, who represents Brechin, said.

“Angus Council, unfortunately, does not have the resources to do the job, it needs to to protect the residents.

“We really need finance from the Scottish Government in order to protect our residents, to rehome them. Some will be out for months, if not permanently.”

Highland trainlines face major disruption

07:48 , Alexander Butler

Two Highland train lines will face major disruption as works are carried out to repair damages caused by Storm Babet over the weekend, ScotRail said.

“Almost all routes are open tomorrow (23 Oct), and normal service will resume but some early morning services from Fife will be disrupted,” it said on X, formerly Twitter.

The number of people who have died in incidents linked to deadly Storm Babet rose to at least seven after a woman was found at her home in Derbyshire.

Those worst-hit by flooding could see ‘quieter days'

07:01 , Andy Gregory

Those worst affected by the flooding caused by Storm Babet could see “a couple of quieter days”, the Met Office has said.

More settled weather on Monday could allow some respite and a chance for recovery, according to Met Office spokesperson Dave Britton.

He added: “There is this pulse of rain moving its way north overnight later on Monday and into Tuesday, but the rest of the week does look like it remains rather unsettled with spells of rain at times.”

Watch: Storm Babet winds lift forest floor in incredible footage

06:01 , Andy Gregory

‘It shouldn’t ever get this bad,’ says son of woman found dead in Derbyshire floods

05:06 , Andy Gregory

Paul Gilbert, who found his 80-year-old mother’s body after her home in Derbyshire was hit by flooding, told Sky News: “Nothing ever seems to get done. We are building more and more houses.

“The country can’t take the amount of water that comes down. We should be able to survive for 24 hours of rain. It shouldn’t get ever this bad.

“The rivers should be clean, they should be dredged, they should be widened, they should be cleaned out.

“It is an unfortunate thing, it might only be the one person that it’s happened to.”

He added: “Yes, fire and rescue might have been able to do a bit more but if she was already gone she was already gone. There is nothing else.

“But for me to have to come and find her myself was more the upsetting thing for me. I didn’t want to find my own mum.”

Scottish council receives hundreds of donations for residents hit by flooding

04:04 , Andy Gregory

Angus Council said it has had an “overwhelming” response to an appeal for accommodation for people unable to return to their properties because of the damage caused by the floods brought by Storm Babet.

A call for clothing and toiletries for those affected by the floods also led to hundreds of donations, said the local authority, which was subject to two rare “red alerts” for rain this week – the first to be issued by the Met Office since Storm Dennis in 2020.

Humza Yousaf to visit flood-hit Brechin

03:05 , Paul Cargill

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf will visit Brechin on Monday to see where the River South Esk burst its banks and flooded dozens of homes last week during Storm Babet.

Residents living on River Street were first alerted to the danger of the body of water overtopping local flood defences on Thursday as heavy downpours caused levels to rise rapidly.

In the early hours of Friday, emergency services stepped up efforts to move people out of their properties as water started to spill over the sides of the defences and engulf the street.

Respite centres were set up in the town for individuals and families forced to leave their homes and residents only started returning in large numbers on Sunday to assess the damage done.

Mr Yousaf is expected to meet residents impacted by the flooding during his visit and thank volunteers, local authority staff and emergency service personnel who played a part in the evacuation.

Watch: Dogs play in sea foam as Storm Babet hits UK

02:04 , Andy Gregory

Flooding could continue next week, Environment Agency warns

01:02 , Andy Gregory

There could be more flooding in the coming days as stricken households try to make their homes safe again, the Environment Agency has warned.

The agency said more flood warnings are expected for some of the worst affected areas into next week - despite severe flood warnings, meaning risk of death or serious injury, being lifted.

Around 1,250 properties in England have been flooded and an estimated 30,000 properties have been protected, it said.

Flooding could continue next week, Environment Agency warns

Ice warning now in force across parts of Scotland and England

Sunday 22 October 2023 23:59 , Andy Gregory

A yellow ice warning is in force across parts of Scotland and the far north of England until 9am on Monday morning, the Met Office has said.

The recent wet weather and the cold night tonight may allow some icy stretches to form on untreated surfaces, the forecaster said.

Tribute to woman who died after being swept away in river during Storm Babet

Sunday 22 October 2023 23:01 , Andy Gregory

The family of Wendy Taylor, who died after being swept into a river during Storm Babet, have paid tribute to the 57-year-old as their “ray of sunshine”.

Tribute to woman fatally swept away in river during Storm Babet

ICYMI: Storm Babet travel update: Chaos hits trains and ferries with warnings to avoid parts of rail network

Sunday 22 October 2023 22:00 , Matt Mathers

Travel chaos caused by Storm Babet continues with major disruption on the railways and warnings not to travel on large parts of the network.

Seven people have died after days of heavy rain sparked flooding, cutting off towns and villages and trapping people in their homes. Thousands of households have been hit by power cuts and the Environment Agency warned flooding could last for days, with hundreds of alerts still in place.

Simon Calder reports:

Storm Babet travel chaos hits trains and ferries with warnings to avoid railways

Storm Babet winds lift forest floor in incredible footage

Sunday 22 October 2023 21:00 , Matt Mathers

A dog walker has captured footage of Storm Babet winds appearing to lift a forest floor in Scotland, Oliver Browning reports.

David Nugent-Malone shared the video on social media on Friday 20 October, and it has since gone viral, having been viewed more than four million times.

He was walking his dog, Jake, in Mugdock, Stirlingshire, when he witnessed the impressive moment.

“The woods were moving like the sea this morning,” Nugent-Malone wrote, captioning the video.

Watch the clip here:

Storm Babet winds lift forest floor in incredible footage

Full report: Fresh danger to life warnings issued as post-Babet flooding continues

Sunday 22 October 2023 19:00 , Matt Mathers

More “risk-to-life” flood warnings have been issued in England in the wake of Storm Babet as homes have been evacuated and train services disrupted.

Two severe flood warnings are in place around the River Idle, near Retford in Nottinghamshire, meaning risk of death or serious injury, as water levels continue to rise.

Read the full report here:

Fresh danger to life warnings issued as post-Babet flooding continues

Storm Babet: Dozens of horses and ponies evacuated from flood-hit riding school

Sunday 22 October 2023 18:00 , Matt Mathers

Nearly 50 horses and ponies have been evacuated after floodwater deluged a riding school in Nottinghamshire.

St Leonard’s Riding School And Livery Stable in Toton cancelled lessons and scrambled to move the animals after its facilities were left “underwater” amid Storm Babet.

Dramatic photos show the horses standing in flooded fields, while the stables were also submerged, causing extensive damage.

Lucas Cumiskey reports:

Storm Babet: Dozens of horses and ponies evacuated from flood-hit riding school

New danger to life warnings as hundreds ordered to evacuate in Nottinghamshire

Sunday 22 October 2023 16:45 , Matt Mathers

More “risk-to-life” flood warnings have been issued in England in the wake of Storm Babet as homes have been evacuated and train services disrupted.

Two severe flood warnings are in place around the River Idle, near Retford in Nottinghamshire, meaning risk of death or serious injury, as water levels continue to rise.

Meanwhile, about 500 homes in a Nottinghamshire town have been urged to evacuate due to flooding.

Nottinghamshire County Council declared a major incident as it told people in Retford they were at risk over high water levels along the River Idle.

The river reached record levels on Sunday, with water still rising.

Housebound grandmother died trying to flee flooded home

Sunday 22 October 2023 15:56 , Matt Mathers

A housebound grandmother died as she tried to flee rising water levels in her flooded house during Storm Babet, it emerged today.

Maureen Gilbert, 83, was found dead by her son and grandson on Saturday after they became concerned when her street in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, flooded.

The pensioner had lived in the street all her life and her home was previously ravaged by floods in 2007, said her heartbroken family.

ICYMI: Couple ‘frustrated’ after flight home delayed and diverted

Sunday 22 October 2023 15:15 , Matt Mathers

A couple’s flight home from Cyprus was delayed and diverted in an “intensely frustrating” ordeal after a plane skidded off a runway at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Phil Casey, golf correspondent at PA Media, and his partner Ann Meredith, 51, were due to fly from Larnaca International Airport to Leeds at 11.20pm local time on Friday.

Lucas Cumiskey reports:

Storm Babet: Couple ‘frustrated’ after flight home delayed and diverted

Residents return to ‘mind-blowing’ flood damage after Storm Babet

Sunday 22 October 2023 14:37 , Matt Mathers

Residents in the most severely flooded part of Angus are returning to their homes to find “mind-blowing” levels of damage, as the clean-up begins in the wake of Storm Babet.

Angus and Aberdeenshire were badly hit by the storm and teams are clearing debris from roads, while those hit by flooding are making repairs.

Paul Cargill reports:

Residents return to ‘mind-blowing’ flood damage after Storm Babet

Derby city seeing record-breaking water levels

Sunday 22 October 2023 12:12 , Matt Mathers

Derby City Council said it is seeing record-breaking water levels in the River Derwent and warned that cleaning up after the floods could take several days.

Three severe flood warnings – which means risk of death and serious injury – had been in place around the River Derwent in Derbyshire over the weekend but were downgraded on Sunday morning.

As of 11am, more than 200 flood warnings – where less dangerous flooding is expected – remained in place across England.

The Energy Network Association (ENA) said a “small handful” of homes would still be without power on Sunday after around 100,000 customers were initially affected by power cuts.

Power restored to more homes in Scotland

Sunday 22 October 2023 11:51 , Matt Mathers

Power has been restored to more homes in Scotland following Storm Babet.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said it had restored supplies to all its customers who were affected by the deadly weather system.

“Thank you for being patient while we did this quickly and safely in challenging conditions,” it said in a statement.

ICYMI: What fuelled the ‘extraordinary’ Storm Babet?

Sunday 22 October 2023 11:30 , Matt Mathers

Experts said Babet is an “extraordinary” storm which has been fuelled by several factors, including the impact of a typhoon on jet stream and rising temperatures.

Stuti Mishra reports:

What is fueling the ‘extraordinary’ Storm Babet?

ICYMI: Storm Babet in pictures as two dead and town evacuated during red warning downpours

Sunday 22 October 2023 11:00 , Matt Mathers

Here, Alexander Butler collates some pictures showing the scale of disruption and devastation caused by Storm Babet.

The worst of the storm is over, although flood warnings remain in place as water levels in river across the country stay at dangerous levels.

Up to nine people have died since Thursday while hundreds more have been forced out of their homes:

Storm Babet in pictures as two dead and town evacuated during red warning downpours

Trains and ferriers hit by disruption

Sunday 22 October 2023 10:30 , Matt Mathers

Travel chaos caused by Storm Babet continues with major disruption on the railways and warnings not to travel on large parts of the network.

Six people have died after days of heavy rain sparked flooding, cutting off towns and villages and trapping people in their homes. Thousands of households have been hit by power cuts and the Environment Agency warned flooding could last for days, with hundreds of alerts still in place.

Simon Calder reports:

Storm Babet travel chaos hits trains and ferries with warnings to avoid railways

Breaking: Death toll rises to seven as woman found dead at home

Sunday 22 October 2023 10:11 , Matt Mathers

A woman in her 80s has been found at a home in Chesterfield and her death is believed to be related to flooding in the area, Derbyshire Police said.

Officers were called shortly after 10.35am on Saturday to a flat in Tapton Terrace, Chesterfield, to reports of the sudden death of a woman.

Police, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and East Midlands Ambulance Service attended the property and found the woman dead inside the flat.

The force said investigations were continuing into the cause of death but “it is believed it is related to the flooding seen in the Chesterfield area”.

Full report:

Aerial footage shows extent of river flooding in Scotland

Sunday 22 October 2023 09:58 , Matt Mathers

Aerial footage shows the extent of river flooding in Scotland as a result of Storm Babet.

The footage was recorded from a helicopter and published by HM Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

“Communities across the UK have been badly hit by Storm Babet,” the agency said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“This was the result in Scotland  Please stay safe: don’t travel in affected areas and keep away from floods.”

Roads remain closed in Angus

Sunday 22 October 2023 09:40 , Matt Mathers

A number of roads remain closed due to Storm Babet in Angus, east Scotland, which was subject to a rare red warning for rain on Saturday.

Residents there are being advised not to travel and stay at home following flooding in the area.

“Do not travel. Stay at home and stay safe. If you really think you need to get to work, please check with your boss,” the local council said on its website.

“Employers and managers: please consider your employees and the need for them to attend work.

“Police Scotland advice is not to travel unless absolutely essential. The fewer vehicles on the road, the safer everyone will be and the better access for emergency services.”

North Sea workers airlifted off rig after anchors come loose during Storm Babet

Sunday 22 October 2023 09:20 , Matt Mathers

More than half the staff manning a North Sea drilling platform have been airlifted to other sites after several of its anchors came loose during Storm Babet.

Coastguard helicopters were called upon to move 45 non-essential workers from the Stena Spey to neighbouring platforms and to Sumburgh on the Shetland Islands on Saturday due to the incident.

Paul Cargill reports:

North Sea workers airlifted off rig after anchors come loose during Storm Babet

Watch: Devastating flooding in Derbyshire village captured in drone footage

Sunday 22 October 2023 09:05 , Matt Mathers

Dramatic drone footage shows the devastating damage caused by Storm Babet in a Derbyshire village, Ollie Browning reports.

The streets of Sandiacre, which has a population of around 9,000, are seen submerged in flood water, after being battered by rain on Friday 20 October.

Derbyshire Fire Service urged people to avoid the area and stay out of flood waters, as 59 people and 12 animals were rescued from flooded homes in neighbouring Stapleford.

More than 260 flood warnings were still in place on Saturday, including three indicating a risk to life around the River Derwent in Derbyshire.

Watch the clip here:

Devastating flooding in Derbyshire village captured in drone footage

Clean-up operation begins in Scotland

Sunday 22 October 2023 08:50 , Matt Mathers

Weather warnings associated with Storm Babet have expired but people in the worst-hit areas of Scotland face a lengthy clean-up after substantial downpours led to widespread flooding.

A number of flood warnings remain in place around Scotland, but more of these are expected to be removed later on Sunday.

The Scottish government’s Resilience Room met to discuss the “exceptional” levels of rain that had fallen in parts of Scotland during the weekend.

The meeting, chaired by justice secretary Angela Constance, heard parts of Scotland were still in the midst of dealing with the severe flooding caused by Storm Babet while some rivers remain at hazardous levels.

Ms Constance said: “Storm Babet’s exceptional level of rain has severely impacted parts of Scotland. Tragically, the storm has led to lives being lost and I send my sincere condolences to the families affected.

“The storm has caused significant damage and while flooding is still occurring, it is not expected to be as serious as over the last 24 hours. The impact, however, will be felt in communities for some time to come.

“While many local authorities are still responding to the immediate impacts of the storm, thoughts are now turning to recovery. Over the coming days and weeks, we will stay in close contact with local authorities to support the people and businesses affected.”

Pinned post: Flooding to last until Tuesday - Environment Agency

Sunday 22 October 2023 08:36 , Matt Mathers

The Environment Agency has warned that flooding from major rivers could continue until Tuesday, amid widespread disruption caused by Storm Babet which is posing a “risk to life” in some areas.

The Environment Agency (EA) said three severe flood warnings were in place around the River Derwent in Derbyshire, meaning deep and fast-flowing water carries a significant risk of death or serious injury, as well as serious disruption to local communities.

Derby City Council said they are seeing record-breaking water levels in the River Derwent and warned that cleaning up after the floods could take several days.

Full report:

Major rivers could be flooded until Tuesday, Environment Agency warns

Danger to life flood warnings still in force

Sunday 22 October 2023 08:21 , Matt Mathers

Although the worst of Storm Babet has now passed, three “danger to life” flood warnings remain in place in Derbyshire after the death toll from floods caused by Storm Babet rose to six.

The most serious alerts are in force along the Derwent river at Derby City Water Treatment Works, Little Chester, Eastgate, Cattle Market and Racecourse Park at Chaddesden.

Some 229 less serious flood warnings are in force across England.

‘Small handful’ of homes still without power Sunday

Sunday 22 October 2023 08:15 , Tara Cobham

A “small handful” of homes will still be without power on Sunday after around 100,000 customers were affected by power cuts due to Storm Babet, the Energy Network Association (ENA) said.

Ross Easton from the ENA said: “99 per cent of customers have been reconnected.

“With the exception of a small handful of homes where access remains challenging, all customers will be reconnected tonight.

“We’d like to thank customers for their patience and our engineering and customer service teams for their hard work.”

North Sea workers airlifted off rig during storm

Sunday 22 October 2023 07:48 , Tara Cobham

More than half the staff manning a North Sea drilling platform have been airlifted to other sites after several of its anchors came loose during Storm Babet.

Coastguard helicopters were called upon to move 45 non-essential workers from the Stena Spey to neighbouring platforms and to Sumburgh on the Shetland Islands on Saturday due to the incident.

The rig is located around 146 miles east of Aberdeen.

Stena Drilling said four out of eight anchors became detached from the drilling unit because of the severe weather.

Paul Cargill reports:

North Sea workers airlifted off rig after anchors come loose during Storm Babet

Storm Babet travel chaos continues

Sunday 22 October 2023 07:45 , Tara Cobham

For the past 48 hours, large parts of the UK have been battered by Storm Babet, causing travel chaos. The Met Office is promising a drier and brighter day for many. But the travel disruption caused by the storm is set to continue through Sunday, with warnings not to travel on parts of the rail network. Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent of The Independent, has been checking the transport system on Sunday morning.

Network Rail says the routes linking Edinburgh with Inverness and Aberdeen will be badly affected by severe weather all day, and that speed restrictions will apply on other lines. “Major disruption to services in Scotland is expected until the end of the day,” is the message.

Anyone who makes it to Edinburgh may find their problems are only just be beginning, because the East Coast main line is heavily disrupted.

Saturday was chaotic on the line linking Scotland, northeast England and Yorkshire to London, with King's Cross station closed for a time because of the sheer number of passengers trying to make journeys, and many of those people will be back to try again on Sunday – only to find delays and cancellations, including a number caused by staff shortage. LNER tickets for today are valid until Friday.

The main line from Sheffield to London is closed north of Derby because of flooding, and the lines from Derby to both Matlock and Sheffield.

Elsewhere, Skegness is cut off from Nottingham and Norwich is cut off from London due to flooding on the line north from Ipswich.

In Wales, Transport for Wales is warning of flooding on some lines, and is urging passengers not to travel south from Llandudno on the line to Snowdonia.

On the seas: the overnight Northland ferry from Aberdeen, Orkney and Shetland, which normally sails at 5pm, left 11 hours late and won’t reach Lerwick until 6pm tonight. This evening’s overnight sailing will be at least four hours late.

in the Western Isles, the main problem is residual disruption from Friday and Saturday on Caledonian MacBrayne ferries. The company had planned an additional pair of sailings between Ullapool and Stornaway to clear traffic from previous cancellations, but this has now been cancelled due to a technical issue with the vessels sewage system. And the first sailing from Tarbert to Uig is cancelled.

On the Channel, DFDS Ferries says “all services are currently operating with delays due to strong winds in the Channel”. The advice is to check-in as normal and you will be put on the first available sailing to Calais and Dunkirk.

Leeds Bradford airport was closed for 24 hours on Friday and Saturday, and knock-on disruption is continuing. Some planes overnight arrived at Leeds Bradford many hours late, and consequently there are further delays for departures today.

Inside the Scottish town evacuated as Storm Babet threatens record rainfall

Sunday 22 October 2023 07:00 , Matt Mathers

Hundreds of Scots have been told to evacuate their homes amid warnings Storm Babet could pose a “danger to life”.

Residents of 335 homes in Brechin, Scotland, were asked to leave for “their own safety” during Storm Babet, which is battering parts of the UK on Thursday.

Alexander Butler reports:

Inside the Scottish town evacuated as Storm Babet threatens record rainfall

ICYMI: Body found after woman, 57, swept into Angus river

Sunday 22 October 2023 06:00 , Matt Mathers

The body of a 57-year-old woman has been recovered from a river in Angus, where a red weather alert is in force, Police Scotland said.

The discovery made as Storm Babet bore down on the country, bringing high winds and “unprecedented” volumes of rain, forcing a town to be evacuated.

Jane Dalton reports:

Storm Babet: Body found after woman, 57, swept into river

ICYMI: Four people trapped on car roof amid Storm Babet floods rescued by Nottingham fire service

Sunday 22 October 2023 05:00 , Matt Mathers

Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) helped four people trapped on car roof after floods to safety on Thursday 19 October as Storm Babet engulfed the Midlands.

On Friday, an amber weather warning for rain was in place for some parts of northern England including Yorkshire and Manchester, as well as some of the Midlands, including Nottingham.

Rescues efforts have been extended as three people have died and hundreds of homes have been flooded during Storm Babet.

Via social media platform X, NFRS warned people not to put their lives and those of the fire services at risk by attempting to drive through flood water.

Watch part of the rescue here:

Four people trapped on car roof amid Storm Babet floods rescued by fire service

ICYMI: More flooding feared after ‘unprecedented’ rainfall from Storm Babet

Sunday 22 October 2023 04:00 , Matt Mathers

Communities in Scotland are braced for more flooding after Storm Babet brought “unprecedented” rainfall and a red warning was extended.

First Minister Humza Yousaf warned of continuing dangers as he paid tribute to two people who died.

Rescues took place throughout Friday as hundreds of houses were flooded after the River South Esk breached its banks.

Sarah Ward reports:

More flooding feared after ‘unprecedented’ rainfall from Storm Babet

How the extreme weather is affecting trains, flights and ferry services

Sunday 22 October 2023 03:00 , Matt Mathers

Trains, planes and ferries are being affected by Storm Babet – which, warns the Met Office, will bring “exceptional rainfall and impactful wind for some”.

Forecasters have issued a red warning for rain for parts of eastern Scotland, affecting Angus and Aberdeenshire. The warning is in force from 6pm on Thursday through to 12 noon on Friday. It is issued because of “a danger to life from flood water, extensive flooding to homes and businesses and severely disrupted travel conditions”.

Simon Calder reports:

How Storm Babet is affecting trains, flights and ferry services

ICYMI: Second person killed in Storm Babet as man dies in horror crash

Sunday 22 October 2023 02:00 , Matt Mathers

Storm Babet has claimed a second life after a man died when his van was hit by falling tree in Scotland.

The tragedy happened in Angus, eastern Scotland, where a second red “danger to life” warning has been issued by the Met Office for Saturday. The region is already facing high winds, torrential rain and severe flooding.

Alex Ross reports:

Second person killed in Storm Babet as man dies in horror crash

ICYMI: Woman swept to her death in river as town evacuated and thousands left without power

Sunday 22 October 2023 01:00 , Matt Mathers

A 57-year-old woman has died after being swept away in a river as a fierce storm batters parts of Scotland, bringing “unprecedented” downpours and forcing a whole town to evacuate during a rare red weather alert.

Thousands of homes were left without power or facing their properties being flooded during Storm Babet as the Scottish government warned residents in affected areas that the worst was yet to come.

Jane Dalton reports:

Storm Babet: Woman dies in river as town evacuated and thousands left without power

What is fueling the ‘extraordinary’ Storm Babet?

Sunday 22 October 2023 00:01 , Matt Mathers

Experts say Babet is an “extraordinary” storm which has been fuelled by several factors, including the impact of a typhoon on jet stream and rising temperatures.

“Storm Babet is an extraordinary piece of weather caused by the interaction of a number of linked conditions across the world,” Dr Hannah Cloke, professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, said.

Full report:

What is fueling the ‘extraordinary’ Storm Babet?

Six lives lost in weather-related incidents during Storm Babet

Saturday 21 October 2023 23:52 , Andy Gregory

Six people are now suspected to have died in weather-related incidents during Storm Babet, reports suggest.

Two women were killed in a crash on the M4 involving a lorry and four cars, according to the MailOnline, with a teenage driver was killed in another crash hours later.

It came after West Mercia Police said a man in his 60s had died in the storm after getting caught in fast-flowing floodwaters in Shropshire.

Two people were also killed in separate incidents in Angus, Scotland, including a 57-year-old woman who was swept into a river and 56-year-old John Gillan whose vehicle was hit by a tree.