Storm Babet brings severe floods and disruption across UK and continental Europe


Marwa Hassan
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Storm Babet has left parts of Europe in turmoil, causing widespread chaos across the UK and beyond.

Major disruption, urgent warnings and emergency preparations have been reported across several European countries.

A 57-year-old woman died as a result of flooding caused by the storm in Scotland. The woman was swept away at the Water of Lee, in the north-east of the country, scene of some of the most extreme weather.

Police Scotland said a falling tree hit a van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday evening, killing the 56-year-old driver.

A third person died in Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, where a man lost his life getting caught in fast-flowing flood water on Friday, according to West Mercia Police.

Hundreds of homes in the Scottish town of Brechin have been engulfed by water after flood defences were breached early on Friday morning, prompting continuing rescue operations.

Residents who have evacuated their homes may not be able to return to them before Christmas, said Angus councillor Gavin Nicol.

Unprecedented preparations and warnings

In Denmark, residents in vulnerable areas have been engaged in urgent flood prevention activities.

Emergency measures such as the use of sandbags are in place to tackle rising water levels, particularly in areas such as Assens, on the island of Funen.

Authorities in the south of Denmark have urged residents in exposed eastern coastal areas to evacuate, warning of possible flooding in cottages and harbours.

Forecasts paint a dire picture, with the region bracing for what could be the worst flooding in more than a century.

Waves along eastern coasts are predicted to surge up to four metres.

Municipalities such as Koege have urged residents to minimise water use as treatment plants risk being overwhelmed.

Travel warnings and cancellations

Storm Babet has severely disrupted air travel across Europe, causing numerous cancellations and delays.

Aberdeen Airport in Scotland announced that at least nine departures and seven arrivals were cancelled on Friday morning.

Cancellations had also been reported on Thursday, with Scottish regional airline Loganair cancelling dozens of flights due to the adverse weather.

In Denmark, Copenhagen's airport has issued warnings of potential cancellations and delays.

The Danish national rail company and several ferry lines have also issued alerts to travellers.

Sweden is also on high alert, with meteorologists issuing warnings of record high water levels along the southern coast.

Similar warnings have been issued by aviation and travel authorities elsewhere in Europe.

The storm has also caused destruction in parts of southern Europe.

Spain, already facing severe drought conditions, has experienced significant disruption due to Storm Babet.

The storm has led to the closure of public parks, ferry cancellations and heightened weather alerts across several regions.

Terrifying moments in Scottish skies

A KLM flight encountered difficulties while attempting to land at Aberdeen airport in tumultuous weather.

The aircraft touched down safely having been forced to abort its initial landing attempt.

Intense weather affects Germany and Norway

Germany is bracing for potential flooding, especially in the regions south of the Denmark border, including Schleswig-Holstein.

Emergency warnings are in place for potential high waters along the Baltic coast, affecting transport, including some ferry services.

In Norway, meteorologists have issued alerts concerning strong winds due to atmospheric pressure variations between Britain and northern Scandinavia.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go

The flights 

Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.

The trip

The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore  offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.

The hotel

There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.

 

 

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“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
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The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

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Updated: October 20, 2023, 4:08 PM