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

Deadly storm surges threaten Baltic coasts of Denmark, Germany and Sweden as it moves towards North Sea

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.

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  Flooded fields in Powys, Wales, after Storm Babet battered the UK, causing widespread flooding and high winds. PA

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  A man crosses a flood-damaged road in Faithlegg, Co. Waterford, Ireland. PA

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  Lynsey France and David Pickering inspect flood damage in their home in Catcliffe near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, northern England. PA

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  Water damaged cars are seen as flood waters begin to recede in the South Yorkshire village of Catcliffe. Getty Images

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  Residents walk through flood water in Retford in Nottinghamshire. PA

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  A rainbow over Ladybower Reservoir as water rushes down one of its 'plug holes' after heavy rain in Castleton, Derbyshire. Reuters

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  Flooded fields around the River Lugg near Leominster in Herefordshire. PA

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  A car stranded on the remains of a washed away bridge near Dundee in Scotland. PA

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  South Shields lighthouse in South Tyneside after the dome was torn off by the stormy weather. AP

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  Boats sunk in the harbour in Rodvig, about 80km south of Copenhagen, after Storm Babet hit parts of Denmark. Reuters

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  A road ruined after storm Babet hit Vilstrup and Diernaes in Southern Jutland, Denmark. EPA

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  Flooded cars are abandoned in Derby. Getty

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  Ferries arrive and leave the Port of Dover in Kent. PA

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  Waves crash against Seaham lighthouse, in County Durham, north-east England. Reuters

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  Watching the floods in Brechin, Angus, north-east Scotland, as Storm Babet batters the country. PA

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  Waves crash over the promenade in Scarborough in North Yorkshire, England. AP

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  Members of a coastguard rescue team in Brechin. Storm Babet dumped 25cm of rain in some areas. PA

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  A van drives through sea foam in Seaburn, Sunderland, north-east England. PA

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  Waves crash over the harbour wall in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, north-east Scotland. Reuters

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  Emergency services in Brechin ask residents to leave their homes after flood warnings. PA

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  Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks with a woman cleaning up flood damage at a business in Midleton, Co Cork, in the Republic of Ireland. PA

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  A boat owner braves Storm Babet to secure vessels at Stonehaven harbour, in north-east Scotland. AFP

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  The clean-up gets under way on Main street in Midleton, Co Cork. PA

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  A tree blown over by Storm Babet in Brechin. PA

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  Waves crash over the harbour wall in Stonehaven. Getty

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  The aftermath of Storm Babet in Midleton, Co Cork. PA

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  Residents climb over a flood defence barrier in the village of Edzell, near Brechin, in Angus, north-east Scotland. PA

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.