The first storm of the year in Europe has already caused at least three deaths. In Germany, France, Belgium, England and the Netherlands, rain and strong winds are causing havoc.
Bad weather has shown no sign of letting up in northern and central Europe and has already caused at least three deaths in the Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
In the French municipality of Quimperlé in Brittany, people are preparing for the worst.
Due to severe weather, the level of the river crossing the area has now crossed three meters. And local officials fear major flooding like last year. In view of this danger, the area has been placed under orange alert.
Following the New Year's Day storms, the Finisterre department in western Brittany was placed on red alert due to the risk of flooding. This is the most important warning issued by Météo France. “Extremely severe” bad weather for the next few days, with rain and strong winds.
In Germany, large areas have been under water for days in some places.
In the regions of Lower Saxony and Bremen, heavy rain fell on Wednesday and the average water level in several rivers rose significantly, increasing the risk of major flooding.
The passage of Storm Hank has also wreaked havoc in the south of the UK.
In Greenwich, some streets were blocked after scaffolding and trees fell due to strong winds. A 50-year-old man died after a tree fell on his car.
England's National Weather Service has issued an orange warning and more than 300 warnings for the risk of flooding across England and Wales.
Power outages and traffic disruptions are other effects of the first storm of the year, which is expected to last through the weekend with more or less intensity.
Jane Austen is a writer and contributor covering culture, literature, lifestyle, and society. Her work focuses on thoughtful storytelling, social trends, and the issues shaping everyday life, delivering engaging and accessible content for readers across the United Kingdom.
