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HENK'S HAVOC
Storm Henk: Brits told ‘DON’T leave home’ as woman crushed by tree and danger to life warning issued over 94mph wind
Partially submerged cars have been seen across the country as the chaos ensued
BRITS have been told not to leave home after a woman was crushed by a tree and a danger to life warning was issued over 94mph Storm Henk winds.
Torrential showers and blisteringly strong gales are battering Britain as Storm Henk brings misery to many across the country.
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Paramedics and firefighters scrambled to a road in Orpington, south London after a woman was crushed by a tree.
The London Fire Brigade said: "The Brigade was called to reports of one woman trapped under a tree at 1521 at a bus station on Station Approach in Orpington.
"The incident was over by 1710. Fire crews from Orpington and Bexley fire stations were in attendance.
"The London Ambulance Service took the lady to hospital, fire crews made the scene safe and duty of care was left with the Met police."
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A spokeswoman added that crews had responded to 30 calls this afternoon about trees, scaffolding, roof tiles, solar panels and roofing.
The brigade is urging Londoners to stay indoors and to only travel if they need to.
The London Ambulance Service said: "We were called today at 3.21pm to reports of an incident in Station Approach, Orpington.
"We sent resources to the scene including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and London’s air ambulance.
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"We treated a woman before taking her to hospital."
Her condition is not thought to be critical.
In Birmingham a brave passer-by rescued a three-year-old child and a driver from a car submerged in flood water.
The hero then secured the vehicle to the bridge to prevent it being washed away, local cops said.
A father also rescued an unresponsive woman from the freezing River Severn in Worcester after spotting her "floating like a mannequin",
Colin McGarva, 31, waded into the fast-flowing river to save the motionless 50-year-old woman.
Families were even forced to abandon their caravans in the Billing Aquadrome in Northampton, this afternoon, thanks to the torrid conditions.
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It comes days after the country was battered by Storm Gerrit which brought 75mph galeforce winds, snow and two weeks' worth of rain to much of Britain.
Water has not yet reached the homes in Northampton but the Environment Agency has said it expects the area to be flooded imminently.
Many were seen driving and walking away from the caravans with their belongings as Storm Henk causes chaos across Britain.
Linda Page, who had been holidaying there, said: "It is terrible, the flood warning siren reminds me of the noise of the air raid sirens in World War II."
The London Fire Brigade is telling people in the capital to stay indoors - and take care to avoid flying debris if they are forced to go outside.
Thameslink and South Western Railway have both urged passengers not to travel as the winds spark railway chaos.
114 flood warnings and 261 flood alerts are in place across the UK.
The disruptive weather has seen multiple rivers burst their banks and train services have been brought to a standstill as Storm Henk batters the Midlands.
Parts of Worcester were left completely swamped with flood water after the River Severn burst its banks today.
Across the region, people are being advised to avoid footpaths near to waterways as the floodwaters continue to rise.
Kew Gardens and Wakehurst have both shut with tonight's Christmas at Kew axed.
Parts of Richmond Park, Kensington Gardens and Greenwich Park were also closed.
Floods are also causing chaos in Alconbury, Cambridgeshire, after the storm struck, with the high street closed this morning.
South Western Railway has warned of "extreme disruption" on its train services and has warned passengers to avoid using the network.
It said: "We recommend that you do not travel on the South Western Railway due to the severe weather.
"Disruption will affect all lines on the wider network. We’re sorry for the disruption this causes."
More rain is expected into the evening with people advised to take care and to avoid driving through floodwater.
A yellow weather warning for rain will be in place from 5pm to 9pm, reaching as far north as Manchester and Hull, say the Met Office.
It says: "Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible. Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer.
"Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer."
Amazing images have also shown swans taking over streets that have been turned into rivers and lakes as the UK is battered by heavy winds and rains.
Meanwhile, Storm Henk has caused such powerful gusts in some areas that a lorry was toppled onto its side in Devon.
And an AgustaWestland Apache helicopter has been damaged after tipping on its side thanks to strong winds in Wiltshire.
Initially the strongest gusts will be focused around southwest England and south Wales during the late morning and early afternoon, say the Met Office.
Forecasters say gusts of up to 80mph are possible in "exposed coastal locations".
An amber severe weather warning for wind has been issued for these regions, coming into force from 10am this morning through to 8pm this evening.
The Met Office said that flying debris is likely and "could lead to injuries or danger to life".
Residents in coastal areas. have also been warned by the forecaster that "large waves" may cause a threat to life.
Meanwhile, the Met Office have already issued a yellow weather warning for wind which came into force today from 8am to 9pm.
Parts of southern England, the south Midlands and East Anglia were warned of wind gusts of 50-60mph, according to the Met Office warning.
It says “very windy conditions are likely to quickly develop” over south-west England and southern Wales on Tuesday morning.
These conditions are then expected to spread eastwards across southern and some central parts of England.
A yellow weather warning for rain is also currently in place through to Tuesday at 9pm.
Roads, rail, air and ferry transport are expected to be impacted while coastlines could become dangerous with massive swells.
Bus and train services are also likely to be affected with journey times taking longer.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen, said: “Further wet and windy weather is forecast for the UK this week.
"Our latest analysis of the forecast shows an increase in the likelihood of very strong wind gusts across parts of southern Wales and England which is why we have issued this Amber warning this morning and named Storm Henk.
“Storm Henk will initially bring very strong winds to the southwest of England and Southern Wales, with gusts of up to 80mph possible.
"As Storm Henk moves north-eastwards across the south of the UK through Tuesday the strongest winds will also move eastwards, across the south Midlands, Home Counties and East Anglia through the afternoon and evening.”
Another bout of heavy rainfall is likely to spread north-eastwards today, say the Met Office.
It states: “Over the warning period, 15 to 30mm rain is likely to fall fairly widely, with a few places seeing 35 to 50mm.
“The worst of the rain should clear south-western areas of England and south Wales by around the middle of Tuesday but could last into the evening across the north-east of the warning area. Strong winds will affect parts of the area.”
The Met Office added: "A spell of very windy weather, accompanied by heavy rain in places, is likely to cause some travel disruption.
"Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely and damage to trees is possible.
"It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities will be affected by spray and/or large waves.
"Probably some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer.
"Some short term loss of power and other services is possible and delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely."
Meanwhile, a castle which has stood for a millennia has fallen victim to the British weather, after Storm Gerrit brought down one of the 1,000 year old towers.
Bickleigh Castle – which dates back to the 11th Century – has had part of its structure partially collapse following the high winds and rainfall this weekend.
It comas as brave New Year’s Day revellers kicked off 2023 yesterday with a biting early morning dip.
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Despite plummeting temperatures, swimmers came out in droves to take an icy plunge.
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