As Storm Herminia lashes the UK, thousands are left without power, with flood warnings and evacuations in effect

Storm Herminia continues to wreak havoc across the UK, with gusts reaching 83mph and heavy rainfall causing widespread disruption. As of January 28, 2025, yellow weather warnings remain in place for wind and rain across parts of southern England, Wales, and the West Midlands, and the storm is expected to persist into Tuesday. Despite the ongoing warnings, the most severe wind alerts will be lifted by 6am, while rain warnings will remain until 9pm for parts of Wales.

The storm’s impact has been devastating, with thousands still reeling from power outages and flooding. The National Grid reported that 2,380 properties were without power as of late Monday, with over 1,400 of those located in southwest England. The outages add to the ongoing crisis caused by Storm Éowyn, which left over 60,000 homes in Northern Ireland without power. The First Minister of Northern Ireland has called for urgent assistance, citing the scale of the damage caused by what has been described as a “once-in-a-generation” storm.

Somerset, one of the hardest-hit areas, has declared a major incident due to severe flooding, with multiple homes evacuated and thousands displaced. In the West Midlands, travel chaos continues, with morning commuters facing further delays and cancellations. Heathrow passengers have also been affected by the storm, adding to the travel chaos that has swept across the country.

The Met Office has issued 37 flood warnings and 164 flood alerts, highlighting the severity of the ongoing weather events. While many of these warnings are expected to subside by Tuesday, the damage to infrastructure is already significant. Flooding has submerged large areas, and the combined impact of the wind and rain has left many homes damaged and uninhabitable.

In Scotland, tens of thousands remain without power following the devastation caused by Storm Éowyn. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney described the effort to reconnect homes as “colossal,” with more than 180,000 homes restored since the storm struck. However, 7,897 properties were still without power by Monday morning, underscoring the enormity of the recovery task.

As Storm Herminia continues to batter the UK, there are growing concerns about the long-term impact of climate change on extreme weather events. Swinney remarked that the damage from Storm Éowyn serves as a stark reminder that “climate change is with us.” The UK is facing unprecedented challenges as severe weather events continue to become more frequent and intense.

Looking ahead, the storm’s aftermath is expected to continue influencing the weather patterns across the country. The UK government, local authorities, and emergency services are working around the clock to address the damage caused by the storm and ensure the safety of those still at risk.