Storm Dennis in UK: Flights cancelled and army called in amid strong winds and flooding

Evening Standard has an interesting video about Storm Dennis causing a second weekend of disruption with bad weather wreaking havoc across the UK. A body has been recovered off the coast of Kent following an extensive search operation. Unfortunately, heavy rain and strong winds have damaged the country. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has deployed British Army personnel to assist people in West Yorkshire. This area was badly hit by flooding during last weekend's damaging Storm Ciara.

Certain flights have been grounded for safety reasons. Airlines such as British Airways and easyJet confirmed cancellations. Various sports events have also been canceled becasue of the bad weather.

Read more here:
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/storm-dennis-latest-live-uk-weather-warnings-met-office-a4362841.html

Amazingly, warnings are in place across the whole country of the UK. The expectation is that there will be a month's worth of rainfall in many places. There is even a chance that some areas could have a month's rainfall in only 1 day. Frighteningly, some parts of the country may see up to 12cm of rain. Residents should consider whether they bought insurance in case of floods. By bad fortune or bad luck, hundreds of homes are now at risk of flooding.

Alarmingly, the dangerous floods are likely to be worse than during last weekend's Storm Ciara. This is because the rain will fall on already saturated ground.

Unpleasant winds up to 70mph (113kph) are expected along coastlines.

The Ministry of Justice has said 75 personnel based in Catterick and 70 reservists from Yorkshire are constructing around 700m of barriers, helping to repair defences and lay down sandbags in Ilkley and Calderdale.

The presence of useful anti-flood construction crews is a reassuring sight for many residents. Community groups have worked hard to improve safety and manage the flood risk.

In the history of Britain, here are some of Britain’s worst storms:

1607 - Bristol Channel Floods

This sudden massive flood occurred on 30 January 1607. It resulted in more than 2,000 people drowning and destruction to farmland and livestock. For many years, historians believed the floods were caused by a storm surge. However, in 2002 scientists Simon Haslett and Ted Bryant published evidence that the flood might have been caused by a tsunami.

1703 - A Massive Storm

This might have been the worst storm or natural disaster to ever hit the United Kingdom. It happened with no warning. The storm battered the country for more than a week. Unfortunately, it killed between 8,000 and 15,000 people. Southern England was worst affected. This is where the first Eddystone Lighthouse was swept away.

1881 - Eyemouth Disaster

A tough storm struck the southern coast of Scotland on 14 October, 1881. Forceful winds capsized several fishing boats, and 189 fishermen drowned as a result. 129 of the fishermen were from the village of Eyemouth.

1891 - The Great Blizzard

The Flying Dutchman is a train that was derailed in the blizzard in Cambourne, Cornwall. For 4 days, Cornwall and Devon where almost wholly cut off from the rest of Britain. Many tress fell down. Temperatures plummeted below zero. Snow drifted in places up to 15 feet high. Unfortunately, 200 people perished. 6,000 animals died. Roads and railways became impassable. Telephone and telegraph lines were taken out of commission.

1953 - North Sea Flood

326 people drowned in this strong storm. It happened in the UK at the end of January 1953. The flooding forced 30,000 people to be evacuated from their homes. 24,000 properties were seriously damaged. 160,000 hectares of eastern England flooded. More than 1,600 km of coastline was damaged.