Storm Benjamin Batters the UK With Heavy Rain and 70mph Winds
Storm Benjamin is sweeping across the UK, bringing powerful winds, torrential rain, and warnings of travel disruption, flooding, and power cuts.
The Met Office has issued four yellow weather warnings covering much of England and Wales as the storm moves from the English Channel to the North Sea. Gusts could reach up to 70mph along coastal areas, with heavy rain expected throughout the day.
Forecasters say conditions could lead to localised flooding, building damage, and travel delays. There’s also “a small chance of injuries and danger to life being caused by large waves” as the storm hits coastal regions.
Rain warnings are in place for southern England, the East Midlands, Wales, and Yorkshire until 6pm, with 20–30mm expected in most areas and some spots seeing up to 50mm or more. Another rain warning for East Anglia and Lincolnshire runs until 9pm, while yellow wind alerts cover the south-east, Cornwall, Devon, and west Wales at different times through the day.
Chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: “It is worth noting that there is a greater than usual uncertainty surrounding the track and intensity of this low pressure system. The public should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings as the situation evolves, with adjustments to the forecasts likely at short notice.”
Coastal residents are being urged to secure their homes and “consider preparing a flood plan” as waves and debris could pose risks in exposed areas.
Although the Met Office didn’t name the weather system, the storm was officially titled Benjamin by Météo France after it issued higher-level orange warnings for parts of northern and western France. Once a European weather agency names a storm, the same name is used across all countries affected for clarity.
The storm is expected to weaken as it moves toward the North Sea later tonight, but forecasters say western Europe — including France, Belgium, and the Netherlands — will see the worst of it before conditions improve by the weekend.
