Met Office issues yellow weather warning for New Forest and Christchurch as Storm Henk hits southern regions of the UK

A YELLOW weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for heavy rain and strong winds across the New Forest and Christchurch.

Storm Henk will hit southern regions of the country throughout today (Tuesday), with rain falling on already saturated ground expected to cause flooding and some travel disruption.

“Initially the strongest gusts will be focused around southwest England and south Wales during the late morning and early afternoon,” said the Met Office. “Here gusts of up to 80mph are possible in exposed coastal locations.

“As the low pressure moves north-eastwards the strongest wind gusts also move eastwards across the UK, with many parts of southern England, the south Midlands and East Anglia experiencing 50-60mph gusts through the afternoon and evening.”

Flood warnings have also been issued by the Environment Agency for Lymington River, Christchurch Harbour, and the lower part of the River Stour between Christchurch and Sturminster Marshall.

The water level of Lymington River at Brockenhurst was said to be “high and rising”, and drainage ditches through the Forest are expected to flood land and roads.

“It will be bank full as it flows through Martin’s Road and Balmer Lawn Road and may cause garden flooding at Balmer Lawn Road,” said the Environment Agency. “In Lymington itself, the river will rise over the next 10 hours, but we do not expect impacts to property.”

As well as the harbour, other areas most at risk in Christchurch include Barrack Road and Willow Way.

People are being told to avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses amid rising river levels, and drivers should not attempt to walk or drive through flood water.

The weather across the UK is forecast to remain unsettled throughout this week, but there will be “early signs of higher pressure developing” into the weekend and next week, said the Met.