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Rain and high winds battering UK Rain and high winds battering UK
(20 minutes later)
Parts of the UK are being battered by rain and fierce winds, as weather forecasters warn worse may be to come.Parts of the UK are being battered by rain and fierce winds, as weather forecasters warn worse may be to come.
Winds of up to 82mph (130km/h) have brought down trees in Wales and south-west England and left 10,000 homes without electricity.Winds of up to 82mph (130km/h) have brought down trees in Wales and south-west England and left 10,000 homes without electricity.
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. 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.
Tugs had to be sent to help a tanker struggling in the Solent. Roads were also disrupted and a 50mph limit was in place on some rail lines.
The 11,000-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.
High tide fears
The Swedish-registered Astral is due to be towed into port.
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.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.
HAVE YOUR SAYWe have had very heavy rain and wind overnightGal, SunningdaleSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYWe have had very heavy rain and wind overnightGal, SunningdaleSend us your comments
"We are saying to people, stay away. It's very impressive to watch but these waves could come over at any time.""We are saying to people, stay away. It's very impressive to watch but these waves could come over at any time."
She said the first wave of the storm had resulted in only localised flooding but there was "more to come" from 1100 GMT onwards as "two big bands" of severe weather were to sweep the country. She said the first wave of the storm had resulted in only localised flooding but there was "more to come" as "two big bands" of severe weather were to sweep the country.
However, she said areas at risk were "as well prepared as is possible" to deal with potential problems, with evacuation plans in place.However, she said areas at risk were "as well prepared as is possible" to deal with potential problems, with evacuation plans in place.
Weather closes portTanker struggles in windThousands without powerWeather closes portTanker struggles in windThousands without power
Small-scale flooding has affected parts of the South West, with residents putting out sandbags to protect homes in parts of Devon and Cornwall.Small-scale flooding has affected parts of the South West, with residents putting out sandbags to protect homes in parts of Devon and Cornwall.
The Environment Agency in Devon said the morning high tide had not been as bad as predicted and had passed without major incident, though there had been minor flooding around the coast.The Environment Agency in Devon said the morning high tide had not been as bad as predicted and had passed without major incident, though there had been minor flooding around the coast.
However, it said high winds and large waves were still a threat.However, it said high winds and large waves were still a threat.
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.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.
  • 7,000 homes in south-west England and 3,000 in Wales are without power.
  • 7,000 homes in south-west England and 3,000 in Wales are without power.
  • The Tamar Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles.
  • The Tamar Bridge between Devon and Cornwall has been closed to high-sided vehicles.
  • Wind speed of 82mph recorded in Berry Head in Brixham, south Devon.
  • Wind speed of 82mph recorded in Berry Head in Brixham, south Devon.
  • In     the Newport area, 170 people had to evacuate a caravan site overnight amid fears of flooding and structural damage. They have since been told they can return.
  • The     Old Severn Bridge between England and Wales is partly closed because of high winds.
  • The Sheppey Crossing and the QE2 Bridge across the Thames between Essex and Kent are both closed.
  • Tugs had to tow an 11,000-tonne tanker into port after she got into difficulties in the Solent.
    In pictures: Satellite imagesIn pictures: Satellite images
    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.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.
    The RAC is advising drivers to be prepared for hazardous driving conditions over the next few days.The RAC is advising drivers to be prepared for hazardous driving conditions over the next few days.
    FLOODLINE Call 0845 988 11 88
    Several roads are blocked in Wales and south-west England and flooding on the Surrey stretch of the M25 is causing severe delays.Several roads are blocked in Wales and south-west England and flooding on the Surrey stretch of the M25 is causing severe delays.
    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 and there are severe delays to some London trains because of weather disruption in Surrey.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 and there are severe delays to some London trains because of weather disruption in Surrey.
    FLOODLINE Call 0845 988 11 88
    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. Channel crossings to France and crossings between Wales and Ireland have been cancelled and the Port of Dover is closed due to hurricane-force 80mph winds.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 been cancelled and the Port of Dover is closed due to hurricane-force 80mph winds.
    The north east of England and parts of Scotland are also facing another menace - snow, with snow ploughs out on some roads. Parts of north-east England and Scotland have been hit by snowfall as well as high winds with snow ploughs needed to keep some roads open.
    It was expected to turn to heavy rain later on Monday but early flurries, coupled with driving winds, caused treacherous conditions on the A66 between Co Durham and Cumbria. It was expected to turn to heavy rain later on Monday but early flurries, coupled with driving winds, caused treacherous conditions on the A66 between County Durham and Cumbria.
    Ferry services have been disrupted and police are warning of an increased risk of low-level flooding along the Solway 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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