Video: Narrowboat caught against bridge in Storm Henk as restaurant boat sinks in London

Footage has been shared of a narrowboat caught against a bridge in the aftermath of Storm Henk. Sam Harper Ard shared the video below on X (formerly Twitter), with the caption: “This is how things are looking in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire.”

This is how things are looking in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire… 😬 #flooding #leicestershire pic.twitter.com/ih0xV7Z5k3

— Sam Harper Ard (@HarperArd) January 4, 2024

In Leicester, the River Soar burst its banks early in the morning, with flood warnings in place across the area advising residents to avoid the dangerous floodwaters.

Family of narrowboat caught in floods make plea

The narrow boat’s owner’s step daughter has made a heartfelt plea for help via gofundme. She says that the boat ‘was filled with so many memories over the last ten years+ and more to come’. As a home, she describes it as a her step dad’s ‘safe place, his comfort’.

In a statement she says that the boat ‘got torn away, stuck under the bridge, and slowly went under the water. He has lost his home, and possessions. So many sentimental things still on the boat, we need to get her out of the water and see what we can do with her. This has broken my step dad’s heart, which has broken mine, my mum’s and his family’s too.’

Restaurant on boat sinks in Thames after torrential rain

A floating nightclub sank in central London as Storm Henk culminated in a final deluge of rain on Thursday, reports the Metro. The Bar & Co boat, which opens as a restaurant and bar during the day, was moored at Temple Pier, between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge. Coastguards said they were alerted to the sinking at around 12.30pm and that everyone who had been on board was ‘accounted for’.

A statement on the company’s Facebook page says it is aiming to raise £5,000 to support the staff and management. ‘Bar&Co was a much-loved family business that had been running as a restaurant and party venue since 2008. It was a charismatic boat moored on the River Thames which sadly sank in a storm on 4 January 2024’ it says.

‘This fundraising campaign aims to help the management and staff of Bar&Co at this difficult time. The staff at Bar&Co have always been very kind and accommodating and they will appreciate the financial help.’

Dragon boats missing in floods after Storm Henk

Meanwhile the Soaring Dragons club is on the look out for its dragon boats. Two were lost to the flood waters however the club hopes that a plea on social media will see them found and returned.

A statement reads: ‘Soaring Dragons beloved boats broke free of their lines and racking in the horrendous floods that hit the River Soar. We need your help to locate them.

‘We have a sighting of the 40ft (red and black) boat passing by the Otter in Kegworth and another maybe sighting heading towards Redhill Marina.

‘The white 20ft boat was stuck in bushes 200ft from Loughborough Boat Club but has since moved, we have not had a sighting since. We are also looking for a green 01.’

Main image courtesy of Katie Stafford.