Storm Henk’s destruction pictured as UK battered by 94mph winds

Gusts of over 90mph brought down trees, scaffolding and caused power cuts to Britons in the first named storm of 2024.

Andy Wells
·Freelance Writer
Updated ·4 min read
IRONBRIDGE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Flood water from tjhe River Severn begins to encroach on riverside properties on January 02, 2024 in Ironbridge, England. The Met Office issued warnings for wind and rain in parts of England as Storm Henk arrived. Towns along the River Severn had already experienced flooding following another recent storm. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Flood water from the River Severn begins to encroach on riverside properties after Storm Henk arrived in the UK. (Getty)

The UK is recovering from the devastating effects of Storm Henk, which caused flooding and destruction to many areas.

Gusts of over 90mph brought down trees, scaffolding and caused power cuts in the first named storm of 2024.

The Energy Networks Association – which collates data from all energy providers – estimated that 10,000 customers were still without power on Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday, a woman was injured by a falling tree in Orpington, Kent, as high winds hit, while a man in his 50s died after a tree fell on the car he was driving in Kemble, Gloucestershire, on Tuesday during strong winds and heavy rain.

IRONBRIDGE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: The Boat Inn pub at Jackfield begins to flood on January 02, 2024 in Ironbridge, England. The Met Office issued warnings for wind and rain in parts of England as Storm Henk arrived. Towns along the River Severn had already experienced flooding following another recent storm. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The Boat Inn pub at Jackfield begins to flood in Ironbridge, Shropshire. (Getty)
Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse and the breakwater in Newhaven on January 2, 2024, as Storm Henk brought strong winds and heavy rain across much of southern England. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse and the breakwater in Newhaven, East Sussex. (Getty)
A tree blown over by Storm Henk that has landed on one car and upturned another on Nacton Road in Ipswich. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024.
A tree blown over by Storm Henk lands on a car and upturned another on Nacton Road in Ipswich, Suffolk. (PA)
Flood water in York, Yorkshire, after the River Ouse burst its banks. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Henk, which is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024. (Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images)
Storm Henk caused the River Ouse in York to burst its banks. (PA)
A person takes photographs of the sea as waves crash against the breakwater in Newhaven on January 2, 2024, as Storm Henk was set to bring strong winds and heavy rain across much of southern England. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
A person braves the weather as they take photographs of the violent sea in Newhaven, East Sussex. (Getty)
Flooding in Acaster Malbis near York. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Henk, which is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024. (Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images)
Cars were unable to parts at The Ship in Acaster Malbis near York following flooding. (PA)
Motorists were forced to make their way through flooded roads after Storm Henk lashed the UK. (PA)
Motorists were forced to make their way through flooded roads after Storm Henk lashed the UK. (PA)
Cars parked outside homes in Loughborough, Leicestershire, were left submerged in floodwater from the Grand Union Canal. (SWNS)
Cars parked outside homes in Loughborough, Leicestershire, were left submerged in floodwater from the Grand Union Canal. (SWNS)

Cars and trains were left damaged by falling trees, while railway operators warned of delays and cancellations as a result of trees falling onto tracks and damaging overhead power cables.

Meanwhile, major roads still faced closures on Wednesday morning due to flooding and trees reading on power cables above the road.

Network Rail said transport delays would continue as train services get back on track.

More than 300 flood warnings were in place across England and Wales on Wednesday morning, as the country deals with they after-effects of Storm Henk.

A severe flood alert, meaning danger to life, was in place for the River Nene in Northampton, which warned of deep and fast-flowing water at the Billing Aquadrome holiday park and nearby business parks.

Flooding around the town of Upton on Severn in Worcestershire. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Henk, which is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)
The town of Upton on Severn in Worcestershire was hit by severe flooding. (PA)
A swan passes a litter bin after the river Severn burst its banks in Worcester. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Henk, which is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. Picture date: Tuesday January 2, 2024. (Photo by Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)
A swan passes a litter bin swamped by water after the river Severn burst its banks in Worcester. (PA)
Handout photo taken with permission from the social media site X, formerly Twitter, posted by @MichaelSnasdell of a fallen tree in Forest Hill, London. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Henk, which is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. Issue date: Tuesday January 2, 2024.
A fallen tree crushes a car parked on a drive in Forest Hill, London. (PA/X/@MichaelSnasdell)
Handout photo taken with permission from the social media site X, formerly Twitter, posted by @MichaelSnasdell of a fallen tree in Forest Hill, London. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Henk, which is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph to parts of the UK. Issue date: Tuesday January 2, 2024.
A fallen tree in Forest Hill, London, covers multiple houses. (PA/X/@MichaelSnasdell)
Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, UK. 3rd January 2024. UK weather. Caravans at ProctorÕs Pleasure Park stand in flood water from the River Soar. Heavy rain has battered a large swathe of the UK as the small but potent Storm Henk hit. Credit Darren Staples/Alamy Live News.
Caravans at Proctor’s Pleasure Park in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, stand in flood water from the River Soar. (Alamy)
Homes in Loughborough, Leicestershire are flooded after the Grand Union Canal burst its banks following Storm Henk. (SWNS)
Homes in Loughborough, Leicestershire are flooded after the Grand Union Canal burst its banks following Storm Henk. (SWNS)
A vehicle makes its way through flooded roads in Loughborough, Leicestershire. (SWNS)
A vehicle makes its way through flooded roads in Loughborough, Leicestershire. (SWNS)
Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire, January 3rd 2024 - Water levels continue to rise through Stourport-on-Severn on Wednesday as rain from Storm Henk brought severe flood warnings to much of the UK. A model of a dinosaur at a mini golf course, named Dennis by locals who use it as a flood height gauge, is now ‘shoulder deep', on Monday he was ‘knee deep'. Geoffrey the Giraffe is also up to his neck in water. - Credit: Stop Press Media/Alamy Live News
A model dinosaur pokes out of the flooded water at a mini golf course in Stourport on Severn, Worcestershire. (Alamy)

Transport delays were ongoing as commuters attempted to make their way to work on the first week back after Christmas.

More rain is expected in many areas throughout the day, prompting National Highways to warn of road closures that could last for several hours.

The strongest gales on Tuesday were recorded at the Needles Old Battery in the Isle of Wight, where wind speeds reached 94mph.

Gusts of 81mph were reached at Exeter Airport in Devon, and top winds hit 71mph at the Isle of Portland in Dorset and also at Mumbles Head in Glamorgan.

The remains of the turret at Bickleigh Castle which collapsed during Storm Henk. (SWNS)
The remains of the turret at Bickleigh Castle which collapsed during Storm Henk. (SWNS)
The tower at Bickleigh Castle, which collapsed during strong winds and heavy rain, dates back to the 12th Century. (SWNS)
The tower at Bickleigh Castle, which collapsed during strong winds and heavy rain, dates back to the 12th century. (SWNS)
Worcester, January 3rd 2024 - St. Deny's Church and graveyard in the English hamlet of Severn Stoke which has been completely cut off by flooding after the River Severn burst its banks due to continued rainfall from Storm Henk. The graveyard at St. Deny's church is also under water. The Rose and Crown pub could be seen pumping water out as it battled to stay dry with their homemade flood defences. - Credit: Stop Press Media/Alamy Live News
St. Deny's Church and graveyard in the English hamlet of Severn Stoke, Worcester, has been completely cut off by flooding after the River Severn burst its banks. (Alamy)
A carpark in St Ives in Cambridgeshire lies flooded after where the Great River Ouse burst its banks. (SWNS)
A carpark in St Ives in Cambridgeshire lies flooded after where the River Great Ouse burst its banks. (SWNS)