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Storm Frank: further flooding expected as gales and rain batter British Isles – live Storm Frank: further flooding expected as gales and rain batter British Isles – live
(35 minutes later)
8.33am GMT08:33
This is video of the Glencar waterfall in Formoyle, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.
#WATCH - Storm Frank: Waterfall stream flows upwards due to extreme winds https://t.co/Nca3sO66kY pic.twitter.com/D0O94a6nu2
8.25am GMT08:25
8.13am GMT08:13
Claire Phipps
Libby Brooks sends more updates from Scotland, where the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency confirmed at 8am that there are 14 regional flood alerts and 62 more specific flood warnings across Scotland.
But the agency also warned that the weather situation across the country was “still very much deteriorating” as the rain continues, with swollen rivers including the Nith in Dumfries and Galloway not expected to reach their peak until 3pm this afternoon or the Tay later this evening.
River Nith in Dumfries has risen over the past couple of hours. Potential record height later pic.twitter.com/x2xRnx9UhQ
Scottish Southern Electricity has confirmed that 5,500 homes are currently without power across the north-east, Argyll and the Inner Hebrides, with engineers hampered overnight by winds of up to 90mph (145kph).
I’m handing over this live blog now to my colleague Mark Tran, who’ll continue to bring you live updates as Storm Frank makes its way across the British Isles.
7.54am GMT07:547.54am GMT07:54
Libby BrooksLibby Brooks
Many ferry services are cancelled across the west coast of Scotland this morning, as yellow rain warnings remain in place. Police Scotland have issued a stage two “drive with caution” warning, as early morning drivers face surface water on main roads as well as reports of fallen trees across Aberdeenshire.Many ferry services are cancelled across the west coast of Scotland this morning, as yellow rain warnings remain in place. Police Scotland have issued a stage two “drive with caution” warning, as early morning drivers face surface water on main roads as well as reports of fallen trees across Aberdeenshire.
Around 11pm on Tuesday, a 74mph (119kph) wind gust was measured in Benbecula, in the Outer Hebrides.Around 11pm on Tuesday, a 74mph (119kph) wind gust was measured in Benbecula, in the Outer Hebrides.
A yellow alert for strong winds was issued for much of Scotland, with forecasters predicting winds up to 80mph (129kph) in exposed areas across the western coast of the mainland and the islands.A yellow alert for strong winds was issued for much of Scotland, with forecasters predicting winds up to 80mph (129kph) in exposed areas across the western coast of the mainland and the islands.
The coastguard advised vessel owners to think twice before sailing during the storms.The coastguard advised vessel owners to think twice before sailing during the storms.
The Dumfries and Galloway major emergency scheme was officially activated at 6am this morning, with reports of flooding near Castle Douglas as well as concerns that the River Nith may burst its banks.The Dumfries and Galloway major emergency scheme was officially activated at 6am this morning, with reports of flooding near Castle Douglas as well as concerns that the River Nith may burst its banks.
The River Nith in Dumfries is looking a bit wild #StormFrank pic.twitter.com/S1T1PsBLlGThe River Nith in Dumfries is looking a bit wild #StormFrank pic.twitter.com/S1T1PsBLlG
Some residents have already been evacuated in Newton Stewart, as the River Cree also threatens to burst its banks.Some residents have already been evacuated in Newton Stewart, as the River Cree also threatens to burst its banks.
By 7pm on Tuesday evening, the Skye and Dornoch bridges on Scotland’s west coast were closed to high-sided vehicles, while the Tay bride on the east coast was closed to double decker buses and huge waves were pictured crashing against Aberdeen’s harbour walls.By 7pm on Tuesday evening, the Skye and Dornoch bridges on Scotland’s west coast were closed to high-sided vehicles, while the Tay bride on the east coast was closed to double decker buses and huge waves were pictured crashing against Aberdeen’s harbour walls.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 50 flood warnings and 14 flood alerts for Angus, Dundee, Tayside and Dumfries, and in the Scottish Borders, the local council held a series of emergency planning meetings making particular provision for the Peebles and Upper Tweed areas.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 50 flood warnings and 14 flood alerts for Angus, Dundee, Tayside and Dumfries, and in the Scottish Borders, the local council held a series of emergency planning meetings making particular provision for the Peebles and Upper Tweed areas.
An extra 10,000 sandbags were filled to combat what is expected to be widespread significant flooding, particularly in Dumfries & Galloway and western parts of the Borders.An extra 10,000 sandbags were filled to combat what is expected to be widespread significant flooding, particularly in Dumfries & Galloway and western parts of the Borders.
But the extreme weather is expected to clear in time for Thursday’s Hogmanay celebrations, when tens of thousands of visitors will attend events in Edinburgh.But the extreme weather is expected to clear in time for Thursday’s Hogmanay celebrations, when tens of thousands of visitors will attend events in Edinburgh.
7.49am GMT07:497.49am GMT07:49
According to the Met Office, December is set to be Britain’s mildest since records began in 1910 – in England, more than 5C above the long-term average.According to the Met Office, December is set to be Britain’s mildest since records began in 1910 – in England, more than 5C above the long-term average.
But for some parts of the UK – Cumbria, Lancashire and Wales – it will also have been the rainiest December on record.But for some parts of the UK – Cumbria, Lancashire and Wales – it will also have been the rainiest December on record.
As my colleague Tim Radford explains:As my colleague Tim Radford explains:
The problem in parts of northern England has been the sheer accumulation of water. If the rain falls on soil that is already soaked, then it will run across the surface, downhill and towards the rivers.The problem in parts of northern England has been the sheer accumulation of water. If the rain falls on soil that is already soaked, then it will run across the surface, downhill and towards the rivers.
Read more here:Read more here:
Related: Mildest December since UK records began means more rain – and more painRelated: Mildest December since UK records began means more rain – and more pain
7.43am GMT07:437.43am GMT07:43
Helen PiddHelen Pidd
The Guardian’s North of England editor is currently in Morecambe, in north Lancashire, and sends this report:The Guardian’s North of England editor is currently in Morecambe, in north Lancashire, and sends this report:
It’s very windy on the coast in the north-west of England this morning but little of the forecast rain has hit the region – yet.It’s very windy on the coast in the north-west of England this morning but little of the forecast rain has hit the region – yet.
Gales over over 30mph (48kph) woke me up at my parents’ house near Morecambe, with the Met Office forecasting winds of over 50mph (80kph) in the area from 8am.Gales over over 30mph (48kph) woke me up at my parents’ house near Morecambe, with the Met Office forecasting winds of over 50mph (80kph) in the area from 8am.
Unsurprisingly, it’s the wind which seems so far to be causing the problems.Unsurprisingly, it’s the wind which seems so far to be causing the problems.
The A5091 is closed in both directions between the A66 junction in Troutbeck and the A592 in Dockray because of a fallen tree – that’s one of the main routes to reach the villages of Glenridding and Paterdale on Lake Ullswater, which were hit so badly by floods and landslides a few weeks ago.The A5091 is closed in both directions between the A66 junction in Troutbeck and the A592 in Dockray because of a fallen tree – that’s one of the main routes to reach the villages of Glenridding and Paterdale on Lake Ullswater, which were hit so badly by floods and landslides a few weeks ago.
On the trains, travelling between Carlisle and Edinburgh and Glasgow will be tricky this morning following damage to overhead electric wires between Curriehill and Kirknewton.On the trains, travelling between Carlisle and Edinburgh and Glasgow will be tricky this morning following damage to overhead electric wires between Curriehill and Kirknewton.
No CrossCountry or First TransPennine Express trains will run between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central, and Virgin train services between London Euston and Edinburgh will be diverted, with journey times delayed by up to 40 minutes.No CrossCountry or First TransPennine Express trains will run between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central, and Virgin train services between London Euston and Edinburgh will be diverted, with journey times delayed by up to 40 minutes.
7.23am GMT07:237.23am GMT07:23
Latest summaryLatest summary
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
A recap of the overnight and early Wednesday morning developments as Storm Frank makes its way across the British Isles:A recap of the overnight and early Wednesday morning developments as Storm Frank makes its way across the British Isles:
Updated at 7.32am GMTUpdated at 7.32am GMT
7.08am GMT07:087.08am GMT07:08
Dumfries and Galloway has activated its major emergency scheme in anticipation of flooding that Sepa (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) says “is going to be as high as they have ever recorded”.Dumfries and Galloway has activated its major emergency scheme in anticipation of flooding that Sepa (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) says “is going to be as high as they have ever recorded”.
Newton Stewart, in south-west Scotland, is being evacuated; and Dumfries and Galloway council warns that residents of Heck, Hightae and Greenhills will be cut off from the public road network due to flooding of the river Annan – which it says is likely to peak between 8am and 9am.Newton Stewart, in south-west Scotland, is being evacuated; and Dumfries and Galloway council warns that residents of Heck, Hightae and Greenhills will be cut off from the public road network due to flooding of the river Annan – which it says is likely to peak between 8am and 9am.
6.47am GMT06:476.47am GMT06:47
The centre of Storm Frank is currently over Iceland – the British Isles are experiencing the not inconsiderable effects of its trailing winds and rains – and the weather warnings there are even more severe.The centre of Storm Frank is currently over Iceland – the British Isles are experiencing the not inconsiderable effects of its trailing winds and rains – and the weather warnings there are even more severe.
South-east Iceland can expect winds of storm force 10 up to hurricane force 12 (“pretty rare”, according to meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker), with the shipping forecast warning that the sea state is expected to be “very high or phenomenal, becoming very rough or high later”.South-east Iceland can expect winds of storm force 10 up to hurricane force 12 (“pretty rare”, according to meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker), with the shipping forecast warning that the sea state is expected to be “very high or phenomenal, becoming very rough or high later”.
Centre of #StormFrank is right over Iceland but it's the trailing weather fronts bringing the UK severe weather 💦💨 pic.twitter.com/xllahIRIpOCentre of #StormFrank is right over Iceland but it's the trailing weather fronts bringing the UK severe weather 💦💨 pic.twitter.com/xllahIRIpO
6.35am GMT06:356.35am GMT06:35
Party-goers travelling by train over New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day face delays and disruption thanks to the double whammy of ongoing storms and engineering works.Party-goers travelling by train over New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day face delays and disruption thanks to the double whammy of ongoing storms and engineering works.
Network Rail says it has embarked on “one of the biggest Christmas and New Year investment programmes ever carried out on Britain’s rail network”.Network Rail says it has embarked on “one of the biggest Christmas and New Year investment programmes ever carried out on Britain’s rail network”.
But travellers will not be thrilled to hear that engineering works, combined with continuing bad weather from Storm Frank, are expected to affect some journeys.But travellers will not be thrilled to hear that engineering works, combined with continuing bad weather from Storm Frank, are expected to affect some journeys.
Related: New Year's Eve travel chaos looms amid engineering work and stormsRelated: New Year's Eve travel chaos looms amid engineering work and storms
6.16am GMT06:166.16am GMT06:16
Ireland has already witnessed several hours of strong winds and heavy downpours.Ireland has already witnessed several hours of strong winds and heavy downpours.
Midleton, in County Cork, saw flooding:Midleton, in County Cork, saw flooding:
Midleton under water tonight #StormFrank pic.twitter.com/w4mFzWnW2sMidleton under water tonight #StormFrank pic.twitter.com/w4mFzWnW2s
As did Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny:As did Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny:
Photos from Mark Bolger in Graiguenamanagh tonight where Main Street has flooded #StormFrank pic.twitter.com/LCSqEs3rBQPhotos from Mark Bolger in Graiguenamanagh tonight where Main Street has flooded #StormFrank pic.twitter.com/LCSqEs3rBQ
Met Éireann, the Irish meteorological service, said Wednesday morning remained “extremely windy”, although winds and rain were expected to ease later.Met Éireann, the Irish meteorological service, said Wednesday morning remained “extremely windy”, although winds and rain were expected to ease later.
6.08am GMT06:086.08am GMT06:08
Police Scotland has issued a “travel with caution” alert for the whole of Scotland for today, warning that conditions are likely to be hazardous:Police Scotland has issued a “travel with caution” alert for the whole of Scotland for today, warning that conditions are likely to be hazardous:
If you are travelling, you should ensure you and your vehicle are adequately prepared for the conditions, making sure you have sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food and water in the event you are delayed for several hours.If you are travelling, you should ensure you and your vehicle are adequately prepared for the conditions, making sure you have sufficient fuel and supplies such as warm clothing, food and water in the event you are delayed for several hours.
Charge your mobile phone and plan your route as well as alternative routes.Charge your mobile phone and plan your route as well as alternative routes.
5.59am GMT05:595.59am GMT05:59
These images from BBC Weather show how Storm Frank has moved in from the south-west, first of all hitting Ireland and Northern Ireland overnight on Tuesday-into-Wednesday:These images from BBC Weather show how Storm Frank has moved in from the south-west, first of all hitting Ireland and Northern Ireland overnight on Tuesday-into-Wednesday:
RADAR: Extent of rain across the UK at 3am. Weather front heading to Wales and England now... #StormFrank Tomasz S pic.twitter.com/yBzRG8D1bkRADAR: Extent of rain across the UK at 3am. Weather front heading to Wales and England now... #StormFrank Tomasz S pic.twitter.com/yBzRG8D1bk
Then sweeping up through the west and north of England and Scotland – and across Wales – this morning:Then sweeping up through the west and north of England and Scotland – and across Wales – this morning:
Forecast for 8am - rain and gales sweeping western Britain. Dangerous waves around coasts. Tomasz S pic.twitter.com/0KyKb3qgkuForecast for 8am - rain and gales sweeping western Britain. Dangerous waves around coasts. Tomasz S pic.twitter.com/0KyKb3qgku
5.33am GMT05:335.33am GMT05:33
Opening summaryOpening summary
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Hot on the heels of Storms Desmond and Eva, which prompted mass flooding, especially across the north of England, Storm Frank is lashing the British Isles on Wednesday, bringing with it more rain and gale-force winds.Hot on the heels of Storms Desmond and Eva, which prompted mass flooding, especially across the north of England, Storm Frank is lashing the British Isles on Wednesday, bringing with it more rain and gale-force winds.
Here’s a round-up of what’s happened so far overnight, and what’s expected throughout the day:Here’s a round-up of what’s happened so far overnight, and what’s expected throughout the day:
Updated at 5.39am GMTUpdated at 5.39am GMT