Flights delayed and tourist attractions closed as UK battered by Storm Frank

Britain’s Environment Agency said as of 4.00 p.m. on Wednesday, there were three severe flood warnings, 46 flood warnings and 84 flood alerts in place across England and Wales.

The Met Office has given four severe flood warnings, indicating a risk to life in the North East and North West of England, with a total of 45 flood warnings, indicating flooding is expected, across England.

Electricity North West is preparing to protect customers’ power supplies, vulnerable customers and care homes have been contacted and The British Red Cross in on alert.

Fresh thundery showers are expected later on Thursday but forecasters say they are unlikely to have major impact on already beleaguered homes.

“Due to the warnings in place, we are asking people to stay away from rivers and already flooded areas so you don’t put yourself in danger or place further burden on communities that have been impacted by the flooding”.

In northern Ireland, thousands of homes were without power, and fallen trees littered the roads.

On Sunday, the north side of the storm will heave the strongest winds, producing gusts to 40 miles per hour (65 km/h) in northeastern England and eastern Scotland.

“The weather remains hugely challenging, with more rain threatening to cause further flooding in Cumbria and Yorkshire today and into New Year’s Eve”, said Craig Woolhouse of the Environment Agency.

SSE said power had been restored to most of Ballater and the surrounding areas.

Around 20,000 homes were left without power during the worst of the inclement weather overnight and into Wednesday.

Britain’s government has been criticized for its spending on flood defenses.

Transport links also suffered after Frank rolled in from the Atlantic, with high winds shutting the Clifton Suspension Bridge for only the second time in its 151-year-old history before it was reopened around lunchtime.

North Yorkshire Police Acting Superintendent Mark Grange said: “It is extremely disappointing to see victims of the floods being targeted in this way”. One hundred service personnel are now deployed in the area.

The Met Office has issued an Amber warning for persistent and heavy rain for large parts of central and southern Scotland and up into Angus and Aberdeenshire.

In Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, a section of the endangered Birnbeck Pier has collapsed due to the high winds.

However, the community is being warned to be vigilant as the River Ouse will remain high over the coming days.

Troops helped evacuate residents amid fears of flooding and a gas explosion, with people living near the crossing urged to leave immediately because of a “significant risk to life”.

Wind speeds have been creeping up all morning and we are expected to see the worst of it between now and midday.