Storm Henk: Two businesses forced to close after flooding
The Met Office issued three weather warnings across the county on Tuesday.
RECOMMENDED READING: Live updates on second day of disruption after Storm Henk[1]
Bay Design gift shop in Malmesbury High Street and Buildbase Malmesbury Timber & Builders Merchant in Park Road, Malmesbury were both forced to close to customers for the day due to flooding.
Picture of the flooding on Park Road, Malmesbury taken on Tuesday, January 2 (Image: Buildbase Malmesbury Timber & Builders Merchant)
Staff who were due to open the gift shop are stuck at home as the roads surrounding their house were flooded, and the yard at the builders’ merchant was completely submerged.
Houses and businesses near Park Road are frequently affected by floods as the road is parallel to the River Tetbury Avon.
River Tetbury Avon (Image: Buildbase Malmesbury Timber & Builders Merchant)
The owner of the builders merchant took the following picture of the yard on Tuesday morning and said that the water levels were slighter higher than they have been during other floods.
The submerged yard at Buildbase in Park Road, Malmesbury (Image: Buildbase Malmesbury Timber & Builders Merchant)
Many residents have posted warnings about flooded areas of the town on the Our Malmesbury Facebook group over the last few days.
One resident urged motorists to drive carefully at the bottom of town as a bridge was impassable which forced many pedestrians to walk on the road.
St Aldhelm’s Mead recreational park was also submerged.
Three ‘act now’ flood warnings were issued on Tuesday in the Malmesbury area,
On the government website there are currently three flood warnings for the Malmesbury area, one for Bristol Avon (upper) from Malmesbury to Chippenham, Tetbury Avon at Malmesbury and another for Sherston Avon at Malmesbury.[2][3][4]
River Tetbury Avon (Image: Buildbase Malmesbury Timber & Builders Merchant)The Met Office said that Storm Henk would bring a spell of very strong winds, causing disruption to travel and utilities.
This includes:
– Longer journey times and cancellations likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected- Some roads and bridges likely to close- Probably some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs- Flying debris is likely and could lead to Injuries or danger to life- There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage- Injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties
References
- ^ Live updates on second day of disruption after Storm Henk (www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk)
- ^ Bristol Avon (upper) from Malmesbury to Chippenham (check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk)
- ^ Tetbury Avon at Malmesbury (check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk)
- ^ Sherston Avon at Malmesbury. (check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk)