Storm Henk: Massive scaffolding collapses into busy road during horror 100mph winds
This is the terrifying moment that Storm Henk causes a massive scaffolding to collapse into a busy road.
Recent days have seen Storm Henk, the third storm of the festive period, bring winds of almost 100mph[1] and torrential rain to swathes of England. Widespread flooding has wreaked havoc on the roads and rails[2], and left neighbourhoods stranded and cars abandoned as one man lost his life when a tree fell on his vehicle.
Amidst the recent horror winds, someone captured footage of a huge scaffolding getting blown into a busy road in Sutton, south London. Ahead of the cameraman, a Brit is walking along, bag in hand, when a particularly strong gust suddenly sends the scaffolding tipping into the road.
The top left corner begins leaning dangerously far forward first, before the rest of it comes falling over as well. The man backtracks a few steps quickly, as crowds can be seen further ahead but thankfully no one was underneath the scaffolding as it comes crashing down.
Onlookers were left stunned, as the remains of the scaffolding takes up the road. This comes amid widespread travel chaos and flooding caused by Storm Henk[3]. Today roads and rail saw disruption caused by flooding and downed trees.
Greater Anglia, South Western Railway, Great Northern Railway, Southern Rail and Great Western Railway all reported issues of some kind. Rail routes in Norwich, Colchester, Peterborough were all experiencing “severe disruption” as SW Railway and Southern Rail both warned of disruption lasting most of the day.
Alongside this, there are over 600 flood warnings and alerts across England and Wales, including two threat to life warnings. One of the severe flood warnings is in place for the River Nene, in Northampton, at the Billing Aquadrome holiday park and nearby businesses. The other is along the River Ritec, at the Kiln Park caravan site where water has been steadily rising since yesterday morning.
Several residents have been evacuated from houseboats and caravans at Billing Aquadrome, close to the River Nene near Northampton, due to flooding caused by Storm Henk. While a severe flood warning, meaning there is a risk to life, previously in place was downgraded to a flood warning on Wednesday morning, the Environment Agency has said river levels will “remain high for the next few days”.
Emergency services are at the scene, with residents in houseboats being taken to the shore in rubber boats after a walkway was submerged by rising water. Eddie Hancock, a resident who lives around two miles away from Billing Aquadrome, said the high water levels were “scary” and he had never seen the water so high in around 30 years of living in the area.
He said: “Our house is pretty much OK as we’re further over, we’re up a hill, but it’s drastic. I have never, ever seen emergency services over there. It’s worrying. I feel sorry for the poor people on Billing Aquadrome. It’s mad, I wouldn’t want to be over there. It has never, ever been this bad. I thought I would come down and have a look and it is a bad. It’s scary.”
Darts fans can watch the World Championship semi-final and final for £15 with Sky Sports offer[4]
Thankfully no one was seemingly injured by the shocking incident (
SWNS)
In strong winds caused by Storm Henk the scaffolding began leaning over dangerously before falling (
SWNS)
The government’s flooding service cautioned: “Local flooding is probable from rivers in Northamptonshire today (Tuesday) and tomorrow. Local flooding is also possible from rivers in parts of the East Midlands until Thursday. Properties may flood and there may be travel disruption.
“Local flooding is probable from rivers and surface water widely across England today. Local inland flooding is also possible on Thursday and Friday due to further heavy rainfall. Some river flooding may continue throughout the next five days. Land, roads and some properties could flood and there could be travel disruption.
“Local groundwater flooding is possible in parts of the South of England, Yorkshire and the Humber throughout the next five days. Land, roads and some properties may flood and there may be travel disruption.”
Over today and yesterday, Lincolnshire Fire[5] and Rescue Service said they had received 140 flood-related calls. Meanwhile, Leicestershire Police[6] said a large number of homes were being affected by flooding in Loughborough, with police closing Belton Road from the junction of Jubilee Drive to Meadow Lane and A426 Lutterworth Road from Little Glen Road To Leicester Road Roundabout in Blaby.
The Energy Networks Association – which collates data from all energy providers – estimated that 10,000 customers were without power on Wednesday morning.
References
- ^ Storm Henk, the third storm of the festive period, bring winds of almost 100mph (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Widespread flooding has wreaked havoc on the roads and rails (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Storm Henk (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Darts fans can watch the World Championship semi-final and final for £15 with Sky Sports offer (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Fire (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Leicestershire Police (www.mirror.co.uk)