Storm Franklin: Thames Barrier closes amid concerns of London 'tidal surge'

The Thames Barrier closed on Monday amid fears of potential flooding in London caused by Storm Franklin.

The Flood Forecasting Team at the government’s Environment Agency announced that the barrier will close on Monday afternoon.

Forecaster Alan Atkin tweeted that the Thames Barrier will be shut for six hours.

He wrote on Twitter: “We're planning for the 206th flood defence closure today from 1245 to 1845.

“This is due to tidal surge from Storm Franklin.”

He added: “Smaller barriers at Barking and Dartford will also be operating this afternoon.”

Read more: Lorry bursts into flames after being blown into bridge by Storm Franklin

On Sunday, he had tweeted that that closure of the barrier could be required, saying: “The low pressure set to move to the north of Scotland in the morning may generate a very large storm surge just before high tide.”

A spokesman for the Environment Agency told Yahoo News UK: “The Thames Barrier, Barking Barrier, Dartford Creek Barrier and Royal Dock floodgates will be closed for flood defence purposes for the predicted high water at 5pm today.

“The 206th flood defence closure of the Thames Barrier will take place today from 12.45pm to 6.45pm.

“Although we currently have a period of high tides coupled with strong winds and storm surges, currently the flood risk is deemed as low, with no issues expected.”

Watch: Water rises on River Aire near Leeds as Storm Franklin hits

It will be the 206th closure of the Thames Barrier since it became operational in 1982. The barrier, which spans 502m across the River Thames near Woolwich, south east London, is closed to prevent flooding from the sea.

Its 10 steel gates protect 125 square kilometres of central London from flooding caused by tidal surges.

Each gate weight 3,300 tonnes and, when raised, they stand as high as a five-storey building.

As of 11.50am on Monday, there were 163 flood alerts or warnings in place across England, according to the Environment Agency.

The closest flood alerts to London were along the River Thames at Trowlock Island at Kingston in Richmond-upon-Thames, and at the Dartford Creek barrier in Kent.

About 75 flood warnings remain in place in Yorkshire.

Storm Franklin has sparked evacuations in parts of the UK and caused widespread rush-hour travel disruption, with train operators warning customers not to travel amid gale-force winds and flooding.

A yellow wind warning that covers England, Wales and south-western Scotland is in place until 1pm, while an amber warning for Northern Ireland expired at 7am.

Major flooding across parts of Yorkshire has blocked multiple lines and shut South Yorkshire’s Rotherham Central railway station until Tuesday.

Train operator Northern posted a photograph on social media showing the rail line through Rotherham station flooded to the extent that the tracks are not visible.

Read more: Storm Eunice sees highest ever winds of 122mph recorded

The River Don burst its banks in the Sprotbrough area of Doncaster in South Yorkshire on Sunday night, and police warned people to stay away from dangerous “fast-flowing” water.

Central Sheffield’s flood defences appear to have held, despite fears as the River Don raged through the city on Sunday night.

Last week marked the first time three named storms have been recorded within seven days since the storm-naming system began in 2015, with Dudley, Eunice and Franklin.

Watch: Storm Franklin batters Blackpool's sea defences