This the shocking moment a woman was knocked off her mobility scooter by a giant wave as Britain is battered by heavy rain and strong winds.
Tina Thomas, 44, was engulfed and nearly swept out to sea by the crashing wave as her and her husband Ashley, 46, were taking their dog Apollo for a walk along the Swansea Marina on Friday.
She didn’t spot the danger of the choppy water – and had no idea it would wash over the walkway – before thrown out of her seat by the huge swell. Ashley, who was just feet away on his own mobility scooter, was also hit by the wave.
Tina feared she was going to drown after coming off the £5,000 mobility scooter but was quicly rescued by people nearby, inclduing three off-duty doctors.
The traumatic incident came as Britain is preparing for even more gale force winds and downpours as the weather is expected to worsen throughout this week with Storm Ciarán rampaging across the country’s shores.
Tina Thomas, 44, was engulfed and nearly swept out to sea by a crashing wave along the Swansea Marina on Friday
The traumatic incident came as Britain is preparing for even more gale force winds and downpours as the weather is expected to worsen throughout this week. Pictured: A view of the flooded car park at a Tesco store in Bognor Regis after heavy rain the area
Cars battle through sea foam on the streets of Lossiemoputh
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Tina, of Swansea, said: ‘Last Christmas I lost my friend Rachel after she drowned in a car accident. As the wave hit and I was completely submerged underwater my first thought was: ‘I’m going to drown like Rachel’.
‘I thought: ‘I have got to keep my head up. As long as I keep my head I will be alright – anything else can be fixed.’
‘So then the wave receded but then a couple of seconds later I got drenched again and it was very scary.
I saw my husband’s scooter under another wave and I didn’t know if he was alive to be honest. People quickly gathered round me and I asked if they knew where my husband was.
‘Luckily I couldn’t have chosen a better day because there were three off duty doctors down there.’
Tina and Ashley’s mobility scooters were damaged by the wave which the pair hope they will be able to claim on their insurance. The couple paid tribute to the people who helped them after their ordeal on Friday.
Tina has what is known as functional neurological disorder or FND.
‘It’s a condition where the brain gets confused and it doesn’t send the right signals to the body,’ she said.
Tina was walking her dog Apollo with her husband along the Swansea Marina on Friday
Before she had a chance to react, Tina was struck by a crashing wave
She disappeared in the sea water as the huge swell hit her front on
Within seconds Tina was swept off her mobility scooter during the traumatic ordeal
Both Tina and Ashley’s mobility scooters were damaged by the wave and the pair hope they will be able to claim on their insurance because they are ‘incredibly expensive’.
Tina said: ‘I’m paying for it monthly, but overall it’s going to cost about £5,000. My husband’s cost about two and a half grand in total. It’s quite expensive.’
A passer-by took a video to share on social media. However the pair are frustrated it was posted and claim that the person in question didn’t come to see if she was okay.
The video of what happened to Tina was shared on social media, with some people have posting unpleasant comments about her which has added to what was already a traumatic event with Tina still in a lot of pain.
She said: ‘A lot of people have been making fun of me to be honest. They are basically saying that I deserved it. Saying that I should have died and that I should have been swept out to sea. Someone said they were gutted the video stopped because they wanted to see me swept out to sea.
‘The reason I am telling my story is because I want to make it clear to people that they need to be careful around waves like that because it can seem quite calm but then come out of nowhere. A man from the RNLI explained how they can happen.’
Ashley said: ‘They need to get a life. Would they laugh if it happened to a member of their family? If people want to be like that then I will leave them to it, karma will come to them.’
Tina said that when the wave hit her she thought she was going to drown
Her mobility scooter can be seen empty after she was hurtled to the ground by the wave
Tina was helped up by members of the public nearby, including three off-duty doctors
Britain has been left underwater this weekend as swathes of the country are deluged by floodwater after days of heavy rain.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for every day until Friday while the Environment Agency has issued 72 flood warnings as the latest band of bad weather hits the country.
They say heavy rain is on the way – which could bring further disruption to southern England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the east of Scotland.
And on Thursday there is a further warning for winds as high as 90mph across the entirety of the south coast and south Wales.
Residents in the South West are being warned of ‘significant coastal flooding’ alongside heavy rain and strong winds.
Forecasters warn the latest deluge could cause disruption to roads and public transport, and even lead to a ‘danger to life’ from floods in parts of Scotland.
Flooding has been seen across Sussex over the weekend, including at the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre in Hastings which was evacuated on Saturday. Photos on social media showed floodwater coming through the entrance.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for every day until Friday as the weather is expected to worsen throughout this week with Storm Ciarán rampaging across British shores. Pictured: Heavy rain caused roads to flood in Essex
The Environment Agency has issued 72 flood warnings as the latest band of bad weather hits the country. Pictured: People walk through flood water at a Bognor Regis caravan park
Residents in the South West are being warned of ‘significant coastal flooding’ alongside heavy rain and strong winds. Pictured: Riverside Caravan Centre
Forecasters warn the latest deluge could cause disruption to roads and public transport, and even lead to a ‘danger to life’ from floods in parts of Scotland
Residents in the South West are being warned of ‘significant coastal flooding’ alongside heavy rain and strong winds
A ‘deep area of low pressure’ is set to arrive on Thursday which has been named by the Met Office as Storm Ciaran
Kate Marks, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: ‘Significant coastal flooding is expected in the South West of England today due to high spring tides. It is also probable there will be minor coastal flooding impacts along parts of the south and west coasts of England.
‘We urge people to stay safe on the coast and to remember to take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades. Flooding of low-lying coastal roads is also possible and people must avoid driving through flood water, as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
‘People should check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation.’
A ‘deep area of low pressure’ is set to arrive on Thursday which has been named by the Met Office as Storm Ciaran, threatening strong winds and heavy rain to southern parts of England and Wales.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Chris Almond said: ‘Winds associated with Storm Ciaran are likely to gust to 80mph along the south coast of England, with a small risk of somewhere exposed seeing 90mph, and winds could even gust up to 50 or 60mph further inland.
‘This deep low-pressure system will also bring heavy rain to much of the UK, but the heaviest rain is expected in southern and western areas with 20 to 25mm quite widely across the region, but up to 40 to 60mm potentially over higher ground.
Forecasters warn the latest deluge could cause disruption to roads and public transport, and even lead to a ‘danger to life’ from floods in parts of Scotland
A man and his daughter wade through sea foam on the streets of Lossiemoputh, Scotland as high winds and high tides caused the foam to wash up into the town
The pouring rain could be as much as 60mm on higher ground. Pictured: Lossiemoputh
‘Heavy and persistent rain will fall on to already saturated ground, bringing a risk of further impacts such as flooding in areas that are already struggling to clean up from the heavy rainfall we have seen over the last week or so.’
This morning, the Met office warned Britain is set to be deluged again after days of heavy rain left swathes of the country from Cornwall to Essex under water.
They issued yellow warnings across wide expanses of the country as areas in the south of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland were told they could face further disruption from Storm Ciarán.
They say there will be heavy and persistent rain coupled with wind in the north of the country – which will turn heavier and thundery into the night.
And while there may be some sunny spells the forecaster has warned of a risk of further heavy rain and a risk of thunder on Monday.
Residents in the storm-lashed West Country were braced for further flooding today after many towns were battered overnight.
And the village of Lanchester, County Durham was plunged into crisis this morning after heavy rain overnight caused huge flooding.
In Bognor caravans and a Tesco superstore were left under water while roads were submerged in Essex.
In Bognor Regis, West Sussex. shocking pictures showed a caravan park and a Tesco supermarket under water
The ground in the coastal town is entirely grey with water as the holiday units are marooned in a sea of floodwater
Only the trolley shelters stick out from above the water in the superstore’s car park, as the wind makes waves above the submerged bays
Heavy rain caused roads to flood in Essex – where photos show a man trying to cross in waders and sunglasses
But despite the weather warnings in some parts of the country Brits were greeted with a sunny morning. Pictured: Castle Rising, Sandringham
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings across swathes of the country as areas in the south of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland were told they could face further disruption. Pictured: Flooding on Golders Green Road, London
The Met Office say there will be heavy and persistent rain coupled with wind in the north of the country – which will turn heavier and thundery into the night
Heavy rain combined with very high tides meant that some towns and villages in Cornwall suffered severe flooding with Looe and Truro the worst affected.
Locals could be seen paddling down a high street in a plastic skip and others used park benches to keep dry above the floor waters.
It comes after an amber ‘danger to life’ warning for rain was lifted in the south of England as forecasters warned that thundery showers and strong winds over the weekend could cause flooding to already soaked parts of the UK.
Up to 40mm of water was expected to fall in as little as three hours overnight into the early hours of this morning in the area covered by the warning, which stretches from the Isle of Wight to Lydd on the southeast coast.
The Environment Agency has issued 12 flood warnings for Cornwall and police have urged residents and motorists to take care.
Looe resident Teresa Appleton, 61, said: ‘During the afternoon, I couldn’t believe how fast the tide was coming up the river, so everything was pointing to flooding.
‘What surprised me was the depth – even with wellies on, you couldn’t get around Looe.
Locals in Looe, Cornwall could be seen paddling down a high street in a plastic skip and others used park benches to keep dry above the floor waters
Residents in the storm-lashed West Country were braced for further flooding today after many towns were battered overnight. Pictured: Flooding in Looe
Heavy rain combined with very high tides meant that some towns and villages in Cornwall suffered severe flooding with Looe (pictured) and Truro the worst affected
It comes after an amber ‘danger to life’ warning for rain was lifted in the south of England as forecasters warned that thundery showers and strong winds over the weekend could cause flooding
Up to 40mm of water was expected to fall in as little as three hours overnight into the early hours of this morning
And while there may be some sunny spells the forecaster has warned of a risk of further heavy rain and a risk of thunder on Monday
‘It made me smile to see some very enterprising youngsters who were charging people for collecting takeaways and giving lifts in a large fish box.
‘But it was hard to witness local businesses bailing out water yet again.
‘I guess this will bring more focus onto plans for flood defences.’
Shopkeeper Andrew Gill added: ‘This is the worst flooding since 2004. It was very deep outside. We have cleaned up but it needs to dry out.’
In Lanchester, County Durham, emergency services are at the scene on Front Street which remains under water after persistent wet weather.
The main road which connects the village to nearby Consett has also been shut off by police.
A spokesperson for Durham Police said: ‘Emergency services are currently dealing with flooding in Lanchester, which has resulted in the closure of most of the roads in the village, including the A691 in both directions.
‘Please avoid the area, and plan journeys accordingly. An update will be provided in due course.’
Additional drainage work, which was designed to capture excess surface water, was carried out in Lanchester in 2019 to help boost its flood defences.
In Lanchester, County Durham, emergency services are at the scene on Front Street which remains under water after persistent wet weather
The main road which connects the village to nearby Consett has also been shut off by police
One of the shops devastated by this morning’s floods is the village’s pharmacy, which had its prescription drugs destroyed
Police have told people to avoid the area due to the flooding. Pictured: The clean up inside New Image Hair Salon
However, one of the shops devastated by this morning’s floods is the village’s pharmacy, which had its prescription drugs destroyed.
Co-owner Anita Burdon, 46, said: ‘Someone was coming through the village this morning at 7am and we got a phone call from them to say the village was flooded.
‘We came over and it was bad. It was flooded from inside to out. The prescriptions and fridge were ruined and there was lots of muck all over the place.
‘I think we’ve bore the brunt of the damage on the street.
‘It’s difficult right now but we are just trying to clean up as much as we can.
‘Hopefully we can open again as soon as possible.’
Anita, who has owned the shop for almost 20 years with husband Mark, said the business was almost destroyed in 2013 when the last serious flooding hit.
She added: ‘We lost all of the drugs last time and our insurance claim was about £60,000 because we lost so much.
Kristo Xhaferri, who owns Ravello Ristorante, also on Front Street, said he was greeted by almost two inches of water inside the eatery at around 7:30am
Anita, who has owned the pharmacy for almost 20 years with husband Mark, said the business was almost destroyed in 2013 when the last serious flooding hit
At Lanchester Carpets store on Front Steet staff come in early to help with the clean up
The Environment Agency has issued an amber flood warning for the River Skerne, which stretches across Darlington and Newton Aycliffe, also in County Durham
It comes after areas across Scotland and north-east England were battered with the worst of Storm Babet, which caused serious damage when it hit last week
‘It’s hard to say how much we have lost this time until we get the assessors to come in but it looks bad.
‘We just have to wait and see.’
Kristo Xhaferri, who owns Ravello Ristorante, also on Front Street, said he was greeted by almost two inches of water inside the eatery at around 7:30am.
He said: ‘This is the worst I have seen it in terms of flooding – it is destroyed inside.
‘I have my staff here who are helping with the clean up but we’re not sure what is going to happen next.
‘I am waiting for the insurance people to come out and we will go from there to see how long we will be closed for.’
The Environment Agency has issued an amber flood warning for the River Skerne, which stretches across Darlington and Newton Aycliffe, also in County Durham.
They said: ‘Low lying areas along the River Skerne and its tributaries from its source downstream to the Tees Confluence, including the Carr areas.’
In Essex a man wades through the deep flood water after roads were flooded following heavy rain
Upcoming yellow warnings describe a risk of homes and businesses being flooded and some damage to buildings
It comes after areas across Scotland and north-east England were battered with the worst of Storm Babet, which caused serious damage when it hit last week.
At least nine people died due to the severe weather including a man in his 60s in Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, who was killed by fast-flowing floodwater.
And in Bognor Regis, West Sussex. shocking pictures showed a caravan park and a Tesco supermarket under water.
The ground in the coastal town is entirely grey with water as the holiday units are marooned in a sea of floodwater.
Only the trolley shelters stick out from above the water in the superstore’s car park, as the wind makes waves above the submerged bays.
The picturesque town of Alfriston, in East Sussex, has also been rendered impassable due to the flooding.
The banks of the River Cuckmere burst its banks with rain water submerging roads to the village.
A flood warning has been issued for the town, telling residents to take action to protect their properties.
The picturesque town of Alfriston, in East Sussex, has also been rendered impassable due to the flooding
The banks of the River Cuckmere burst its banks with rain water submerging roads to the village.
A flood warning has been issued for the town, telling residents to take action to protect their properties
In this aerial view Tewkesbury Abbey, at the confluence of the Rivers Severn and Avon, is surrounded by flood waters after the recent Storm Babet on October 27
Heavy rain also caused roads to flood in Essex – where photos show a man trying to cross in waders and sunglasses
Upcoming yellow warnings describe a risk of homes and businesses being flooded and some damage to buildings.
And they say train and bus services could be delayed or even cancelled by flooding as spray worsens driving conditions.
They say there is also a chance of power cuts and loss of other services due to the difficult weather conditions.
But downpours could not dampen the spirits of party-goers who hit the town to celebrate on the weekend before Halloween.
Drenched revellers made the most of the seasonal weather – wearing skimpy outfits and using makeshift covers as they braved the storms.
It comes a day after a shopping centre had to be evacuated due to flooding in Hastings town centre.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said they were assisting with the situation at Priory Meadow Shopping Centre, where social media footage showed deep floodwater had come inside through the entrance on Station Road.
‘We are assisting in dealing with flooding at the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre, Hastings, which has been evacuated,’ East Sussex Fire Service said in a statement.
Downpours could not dampen the spirits of party-goers (pictured, in Manchester) who hit the town to celebrate on the weekend before Halloween
Thousands of people hit the bars and clubs in Portsmouth, Hampshire on Saturday night for an early Halloween celebration
Drenched revellers (pictured, in Manchester) made the most of the seasonal weather – wearing skimpy outfits and using makeshift covers as they braved the storms
Batman saves the day with a tactical umbrella as other revellers in Portsmouth are left drenched by the downpours
Posting on X, the service added: ‘If you have cars in Hastings town centre you are advised to move them due to flooding.’
A spokesperson for the service said there are no formal plans to evacuate homes for now.
Trains between Hastings or Eastbourne and Ashford International were running at reduced speed due to a fault with the signalling system, Southern Rail posted on X, formerly Twitter.
The train operator said they were informed of lightning damaging the system in the area.
And there will be no trains on the Isle of Wight until at least next Wednesday after flooding left the main tunnel in Ryde under 30ft of water.
Meanwhile in flood-prone Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, incredible photos showed how large parts have been submerged, with cars left stranded and landmarks surrounded by water after the River Severn reached high levels.