Storm Ingrid has unleashed devastating winds and torrential rain across the United Kingdom, causing significant damage to coastal infrastructure in the South West. The violent weather system, with gusts reaching 60mph, has resulted in the partial destruction of a historic pier and the collapse of a critical sea wall, leading to widespread travel disruption.
Historic Pier Succumbs to Ferocious Seas
In a dramatic display of nature's force, part of the 160-year-old Grand Pier in Teignmouth, Devon, was washed away by enormous waves generated by Storm Ingrid. The pier, originally constructed between 1865 and 1867, had withstood numerous weather events over its long history but finally yielded to the storm's intensity.
Teignmouth Mayor, Cate Williams, expressed sorrow over the loss, noting to the BBC that while the structure had survived many previous storms, its "age and wear and tear has taken its toll." She confirmed that a section of the pier had been completely destroyed, stating, "It has lost part of the pier structure itself, that has dissolved and gone away into the sea." Video footage captured the moment powerful waves battered the coastal landmark, leaving a visible gap where it once stood.
Critical Transport Infrastructure Compromised
The storm's impact extended beyond the pier, severely affecting vital transport links. A sea wall protecting the railway line at Dawlish, near Teignmouth, collapsed under the onslaught, forcing the immediate suspension of all rail services between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth. This disruption has severed a key transport corridor in the region.
Further north, ScotRail has implemented speed restrictions on services between Aberdeen and Inverness due to the adverse conditions, highlighting the storm's far-reaching effects on the UK's rail network.
Met Office Issues Extensive Weather Warnings
The Met Office has activated multiple yellow weather warnings across the nation as Storm Ingrid continues to pose a serious threat. Warnings for wind and rain cover:
- All of Devon and Cornwall, along with parts of Wales, effective from Friday until Saturday night.
- North-east Scotland, including Aberdeen and Perth, and all of Northern Ireland, with alerts extending into Sunday and Monday morning.
Forecasters warn that some areas could receive up to 1.6 inches (40mm) of additional rainfall, exacerbating an already saturated environment. In Scotland, where some locations have already endured over 100mm of rain in three days, a further 20-50mm is anticipated, with higher elevations likely to see snowfall.
Flood Risks and Calls for Emergency Measures
The persistent heavy rain has significantly elevated flood risks. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) currently has 11 flood warnings and four flood alerts active, urging residents in vulnerable areas to take immediate precautions and check their property's risk level.
Potential impacts include:
- Flooding of homes and businesses.
- Disruption to bus and train services.
- Possible interruptions to power supplies, particularly in parts of Northern Ireland.
Some affected residents have called for a "state of emergency" to be declared in response to the severe conditions and the escalating threat to communities and infrastructure.
Looking ahead, while the South West may see a brief respite on Sunday, another yellow rain alert is scheduled from Monday evening into Tuesday afternoon, indicating that the turbulent weather pattern is far from over. The nation remains on high alert as Storm Ingrid continues its path across the UK.
