This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35407066

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Heavy rain and gales as storm hits the UK Heavy rain and gales as storm hits the UK
(35 minutes later)
Heavy rain and strong winds have hit parts of the UK as the "remnants" of the storm that brought severe blizzards to the US arrives in the country. The "remnants" of the storm that brought severe blizzards to the US has arrived in parts of the UK, bringing heavy rain, gales and travel problems.
Western areas are bearing the brunt, including Cumbria, where some schools have closed and roads are flooded.
Ferries to the Scottish Islands and Isle of Wight are disrupted, and in Edinburgh, a man was hurt when a broken chimney smashed through a bus window.
The Army is working to help shore up defences in some high-risk communities.
The Met Office has issued yellow - be aware - warnings for rain and there are more than 90 flood warnings and alerts.The Met Office has issued yellow - be aware - warnings for rain and there are more than 90 flood warnings and alerts.
Western areas are likely to bear the brunt, including Cumbria, where communities are still coping with the aftermath of flooding at Christmas. Follow live updates from BBC Cumbria
The government said the military was on standby and pumps were being deployed. Among the main developments:
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said the priority would be protecting lives and homes.
The storm in the US brought near-record snowfall from Washington to New York.
Gale-force winds
BBC Weather's Darren Bett said although the wet and windy conditions were affecting many parts of the UK, the wettest weather would be in the west in Cumbria, the Welsh hills and the moors of the south west.BBC Weather's Darren Bett said although the wet and windy conditions were affecting many parts of the UK, the wettest weather would be in the west in Cumbria, the Welsh hills and the moors of the south west.
He said dry afternoons were forecast on Tuesday for Scotland and Northern Ireland, following heavy rain this morning.He said dry afternoons were forecast on Tuesday for Scotland and Northern Ireland, following heavy rain this morning.
The Met Office said the "remnants" of Storm Jonas would bring severe gales of up to 70mph in Scotland, with large waves also expected. The Met Office said the "remnants" of the US storm would bring severe gales of up to 70mph in Scotland, with large waves also expected.
Two lorries have been blown over and are blocking the outside lane on the A1 northbound at Dunbar in East Lothian.
In Edinburgh, a man was injured after a chimney was blown off a roof in high winds and smashed through a bus window.
Some 20-40mm (0.8-1.6in) of rain - and up to 60mm in the most exposed areas - is forecast in Scotland, while north-west England, Wales, Devon and Cornwall are predicted to get between 30 and 50mm, with up to 100mm in exposed uplands.Some 20-40mm (0.8-1.6in) of rain - and up to 60mm in the most exposed areas - is forecast in Scotland, while north-west England, Wales, Devon and Cornwall are predicted to get between 30 and 50mm, with up to 100mm in exposed uplands.
In England and Wales, the heaviest rain and strongest winds are expected in two bouts - one late morning and afternoon on Tuesday, and another Tuesday night into Wednesday, before clearing to the south-east on Wednesday afternoon. The storm in the US brought near-record snowfall from Washington to New York.
Its arrival in the UK was expected to bring bad weather in two main waves - one late morning and afternoon on Tuesday, and another Tuesday night into Wednesday.
There is also a warning in place for heavy rain for Northern Ireland on Wednesday, when gale-force winds are expected.There is also a warning in place for heavy rain for Northern Ireland on Wednesday, when gale-force winds are expected.
More heavy rain is forecast for Friday, with warnings already in place for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-east England and Wales.More heavy rain is forecast for Friday, with warnings already in place for parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, north-east England and Wales.
The Environment Agency said it was monitoring river levels. There are currently nine flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected: five are in Cumbria, three in Dorset and one in the Conwy Valley.The Environment Agency said it was monitoring river levels. There are currently nine flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected: five are in Cumbria, three in Dorset and one in the Conwy Valley.
There are also more than 80 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - in England and Wales.There are also more than 80 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - in England and Wales.
The agency said rivers in Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire were already at record levels following the wettest ever December.The agency said rivers in Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire were already at record levels following the wettest ever December.
There was also a possibility of "some flooding" along the rivers Severn and Wye.There was also a possibility of "some flooding" along the rivers Severn and Wye.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) currently has nearly 50 flood warnings and nine flood alerts in place.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) currently has nearly 50 flood warnings and nine flood alerts in place.
'Anxious time'
Environment Secretary Ms Truss chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee on Monday in preparation for the bad weather.Environment Secretary Ms Truss chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee on Monday in preparation for the bad weather.
"We know this will be an especially anxious time for many communities who suffered flooding last month and where the ground is still saturated," she said afterwards. She said "all possible steps" were being taken to prepare for the storm.
"I want to assure them that we are taking all possible steps to prepare for the storm.
"The military are on standby, temporary defences and pumps are being deployed across the country, and Environment Agency staff are checking and maintaining flood defences, clearing blockages in watercourses and monitoring water levels."
Clare Dinnis, the Environment Agency's national flood duty manager, also urged people to take care near coastal paths and promenades, and not to drive through flood-water.Clare Dinnis, the Environment Agency's national flood duty manager, also urged people to take care near coastal paths and promenades, and not to drive through flood-water.
Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Are you expecting the storms where you are? What preparations in place? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you expecting the storms where you are? What preparations in place? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or please use the form below:Or please use the form below: