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Rain and high winds battering UK Rain and high winds battering UK
(about 1 hour later)
Rain and fierce winds are hitting parts of the UK, as what could be winter's worst storm moves in from the Atlantic.Rain and fierce winds are hitting parts of the UK, as what could be winter's worst storm moves in from the Atlantic.
Emergency services said winds of almost 80 mph (130km/h) had brought down trees and power lines in south-west England, where several roads are now blocked. Winds of up to 82 mph (130km/h) have brought down trees in south-west England, blocking roads, and some 7,000 homes are without electricity.
Severe flood warnings have been issued for the Devon and Cornwall coast. Near Newport, south Wales, 170 people had to evacuate a caravan park overnight. There are seven severe flood warnings on the south west coast, where it is feared water could spill over sea walls when high tides peak around midday.
Meanwhile, forecasters say central Scotland could see blizzards. A tug had to be sent to help a tanker struggling in high winds in the Solent.
Flood warnings The 7,500-tonne ship, with 13 people and a cargo of gas oil onboard, was dragging its anchor off the Isle of Wight in severe gale force winds.
The Environment Agency is urging people to stay away from exposed coastal areas and to check for flood warnings in their area. High tide fears
By 0445 GMT on Monday there were seven severe flood warnings in place in Devon and Cornwall and 44 other warnings in locations including southern England, and the Severn and Mersey estuaries. Environment Agency Chief Executive Baroness Young told BBC News: "Along the coast from the south west, almost as far as Kent, we could see the sea coming over the sea walls and that's when we really could have difficulties.
High winds have left 4,000 homes in south-west England and some 3,000 in Wales without power. "We are saying to people, stay away. It's very impressive to watch but these waves could come over at any time."
Standby supplies of sandbags are on hand and extra police have been called in to work. However, she said areas at risk were "as well prepared as is possible" to deal with potential problems, with evacuation plans in place.
FLOODLINE Call 0845 988 11 88FLOODLINE Call 0845 988 11 88
Falmouth coastguards have been out with loud hailers along the coast, warning people to stay away from the coast and to beware of potential flooding. Small-scale flooding is affecting parts of the south west already, with residents putting out sandbags to protect homes in parts of Devon and Cornwall.
Residents in Mylor and Flushing, near Falmouth, are protecting their homes with sandbags as flood waters start to rise, reaching car wheel arch level by 0630 GMT. In Penryn, water has reached the top of the quay. High winds have also caused considerable damage and disruption, blowing off garage roofs in Devon and west Wales, uprooting trees and bringing down power lines.
The storm, which forecasters have been predicting for several days, has already left considerable damage and disruption in its wake, according to reports.
  • Sea     levels are close to the top of sea walls on some parts of the Devon and Cornwall coast, including Bideford, Instow and Penryn.
    In Devon, winds have torn off a garage roof in Torquay, and a power line near Slapton was reported to have been brought down.
    The Tamar Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles as winds in the Plymouth area reached speeds of 76mph.
    The highest wind speed recorded so far was 82mph in Berry Head in Brixham, south Devon, while the Needles off the coast of the Isle of Wight experienced gusts of 70mph.
    Power cuts
    In Cornwall, the A390 at Callington, A374 at Polbathic and A395 at Kennards House are blocked because of falling trees.
    Some 118 homes are without power in Wadebridge after a falling tree brought down a power line. Western Power estimates they will be reconnected later this morning.
    There was a brief power cut in Porthleven overnight, caused by cables arcing.
    Huge waves are expected to hit the UK coast.Huge waves are expected to hit the UK coast.
    Dorset police also received reports of a fallen telegraph pole and trees.
  • 4,000     homes in south-west England and 3,000 in Wales are without power.
    Forecasters said the storm may have reached its peak in the South West but further damaging gusts were expected along the coast on Monday evening.
  • The     Tamar Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles.
    On Sunday night, police in south Wales advised about 170 people to evacuate Lighthouse Park Caravan Site, in St Brides, over fears of flooding and structural damage.
  • Wind     speed of 82mph recorded in Berry Head in Brixham, south Devon.
    In nearby Gold Cliff and Redwick, residents in coastal homes were also advised to evacuate.
  • In     the Newport area, 170 people had to evacuate a caravan site overnight amid fears of flooding and structural damage.
    A handful of locals spent the night at Newport Leisure Centre which the city council set up as an evacuation rest centre. Elsewhere in the UK, high winds are expected to cause disruption, with wind speeds of 42mph recorded at Heathrow, 63mph on the east coast of Northern Ireland, 49mph in Crosby, Merseyside, and 46mph in Birmingham.
    Houses in west Wales are reported to have had their roofs blown off overnight. The storm is expected to cause travel disruption. The RAC is advising drivers to be prepared for hazardous driving conditions over the next few days.
    The storm is expected to cause travel disruption in other parts of the UK, with winds already reaching 42mph at Heathrow. The Met Office warns rail delays are likely, with the worst weather expected to strike on Monday afternoon. A 50mph speed limit is in force on some lines because of the weather.
    Winds of 63mph have hit the east coast of Northern Ireland. with 49mph winds in Crosby, Merseyside, and 46mph in Birmingham.
    We understand that people are fascinated by the sea but at times like this we do urge them not to go and watch the high waves Paul LeinsterEnvironment Agency
    British Airways cancelled several short-haul and domestic flights from Heathrow Airport on Sunday night, and both Heathrow and Gatwick advised travellers to check with airlines before leaving home.British Airways cancelled several short-haul and domestic flights from Heathrow Airport on Sunday night, and both Heathrow and Gatwick advised travellers to check with airlines before leaving home.
    P&O Ferries cancelled a Sunday sailing from Portsmouth to Bilbao, and another from Bilbao to Portsmouth on 11 March. P&O Ferries cancelled a Sunday sailing from Portsmouth to Bilbao, and another from Bilbao to Portsmouth on 11 March. Channel crossings to France and crossings between Wales and Ireland have also been cancelled.
    Channel crossings between the south coast and France have also been cancelled. The north east of England and parts of Scotland are also facing another menace - snow.
    The RAC is advising drivers to be prepared for hazardous driving conditions over the next few days. The Met Office warns rail delays are likely, with the worst weather expected to strike on Monday afternoon. Some rail services have already been cancelled. It was expected to turn to heavy rain later on Monday but early flurries, coupled withdriving winds, caused treacherous conditions on the A66 between Co Durham andCumbria.
    Prime Minister Gordon Brown and senior government officials held talks on Sunday about the threat from the storm and checked local authorities were prepared for floods.
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    Environment Agency director of operations Paul Leinster said there would be "a potent cocktail of strong winds, wave action and high tides" until Wednesday.
    He said gale force winds were expected to combine with spring high tides to raise water levels along the coast by up to 1.5m over normal levels and warned people to stay away from the coast.
    Do you live in the regions which could be affected by the storms? How are you preparing? Send us your experiences using the form below.Do you live in the regions which could be affected by the storms? How are you preparing? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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