Storm Franklin

Storm Franklin was named by the Met Office on 20 February 2022 and brought strong, long-lasting winds and heavy rain on 20 to 21 February 2022. It was the third named storm to hit the UK in a week. It was particularly severe in Northern Ireland and north-west England, where an amber wind warning covered Northern Ireland overnight. The highest gust was 78mph at Orlock Head (County Down), with 75mph at St Bees Head (Cumbria). Rain from the three storms caused significant flooding, including in Northern Ireland. Around 400 properties flooded, and three sites on the Rivers Severn, Mersey and Derwent recorded their highest-ever levels. Franklin's winds also slowed the clean-up after Storm Eunice, and up to around 10,000 homes in Northern Ireland lost power. Sources: Met Office storm report; BBC News; Belfast Telegraph.