Storm Franklin Hitting UK Today As Met Office Issues Amber Warning

As the UK continues to dust itself off after the devastation caused by Storm Eunice, the Met Office has confirmed that yet another storm is on its way today (20 February).

Dubbed as 'Storm Franklin', an amber warning has been issued for strong winds and heavy rain, particularly in Northern Ireland.

The Met Office said in a tweet: "The Met Office has named #StormFranklin.

"The storm is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the UK on Sunday and Monday.

"The strongest winds will be in Northern Ireland where an Amber weather warning has been issued. Stay WeatherAware."

An extended Yellow Warning for wind, which covers much of the rest of the UK except the northeast, has also been issued for Storm Franklin. Within the yellow warning area, wind gusts will reach up to 65-75mph in coastal areas, and more widely 50-60mph further inland in the early hours of Monday morning.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “Following the significant impacts of Storm Eunice on Friday, Storm Franklin will bring further high winds for many late on Sunday and into Monday, although not on the same scale as Eunice. 

"Amber and Yellow Wind Warnings have been issued, and people should remain cautious ahead of the system that will bring 50-60mph wind gusts for much of the UK from late on Sunday and through Monday.” 

The warning is in place from midnight tonight until 7am on Monday.

Record breaking 122mph gusts of wind were hitting Britain hard on Friday (18 February) as thousands are still left without power after homes, transport link and power lines were disrupted.

The storm even ripped off part of the London O2's roof and left the sheets that cover the arena blowing in the wind.

The O2 - which is essentially a huge tent - is covered by sheeting that's been ripped away, whilst the panels that have come off were seen floating in the nearby Thames.

Sharing a video, Twitter user Ben Hubbard said: "Quick update, in the last 45 minutes it started off as one small panel down in the corner and went right up to the centre and now it's in the second, third and now fourth panel being completely shredded.

"I'm not sure whether there's anything that can be done, this is just serious damage."

A family opted to head straight to the pub after their detached property in Brentwood, Essex, was completely wrecked after a tree fell through their roof.

Sven Good said he was working at his parents' house when he heard a creaking sound followed by a 'massive bang'.

The bang in question was the massive tree falling over and through several rooms of the house.

But after the obvious shock set in, Sven said they just 'did the very British thing and went to the pub'.

Speaking about the incident, he told the BBC: "I was on a conference call when I heard a huge breath of wind, a creak, and then a massive bang. The whole house shook.

"My girlfriend was working in another room and told me she had heard something, and asked if a window had smashed.

"I said, 'No, the house has just been destroyed'."