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Storm Imogen: Hurricane-force winds nearing 100mph lash Britain bringing travel chaos Storm Imogen: Two children seriously injured after wall collapses on them as hurricane force winds batter Britain
(about 1 hour later)
Britain is enduring hurricane-force winds nearing 100mph in some areas as Storm Imogen continues to pummel the country. Two children have been seriously hurt after a wall collapsed on them as Storm Imogen continues to batter Britain.
Southern England and South Wales are expected to face the full-force of the severe gusts, which have already reached 96mph at The Needles off the Isle of White. The children, aged five and seven, suffered serious leg injuries when the stone garden wall fell on them on Monday morning in the Worcestershire village of Bretforton near Evesham.
Emergency services were called out at 8.55am to the B4035, the main road through the village, and firefighters pulled the pair from the rubble.
Southern England and south Wales are expected to face the full-force of the severe gusts, which have already reached 96mph at The Needles off the Isle of White.
Along the south coast, gales blew consistently at 40 mph throughout the night, with gusts of over 70mph in Cornwall.  Along the south coast, gales blew consistently at 40 mph throughout the night, with gusts of over 70mph in Cornwall.  
Around 5,000 homes are without power across the Midlands, South West and Wales, while rail passengers travelling in southern England have been warned of major disruption for much of the day. Around 5,000 homes are without power across the Midlands, South-west and Wales, while rail passengers travelling in southern England have been warned of major disruption for much of the day.
Almost 300 Environment Agency flood warnings are in place across the UK, with 509 warnings calling for “immediate action”.Almost 300 Environment Agency flood warnings are in place across the UK, with 509 warnings calling for “immediate action”.
In the south west and Wales some areas are expected to see up to more than 40mm of rain on Monday. In the South-west and Wales, some areas are expected to see up to more than 40mm of rain on Monday.
Fourteen metre sea swells are expected in the Channel as the sea state could reach "phenomenal" - the highest level on the World Meteorological Scale. Fourteen-metre swells are expected in the Channel as the sea state could reach "phenomenal" - the highest level on the World Meteorological Scale.
Stormy seas are also affecting ferry services, with the Port of Denver temporarily closed overnight due to high winds and strong sea swells. DFDS and P&O ferries between Dover and Calais are affected, while services from Liverpool to Dublin and from Newhaven to Dieppe are cancelled.Stormy seas are also affecting ferry services, with the Port of Denver temporarily closed overnight due to high winds and strong sea swells. DFDS and P&O ferries between Dover and Calais are affected, while services from Liverpool to Dublin and from Newhaven to Dieppe are cancelled.
There are major delays and cancellations on Brittany Ferries crossing between south coast ports and northern France. Journeys between the UK and Spain will also be disrupted.There are major delays and cancellations on Brittany Ferries crossing between south coast ports and northern France. Journeys between the UK and Spain will also be disrupted.
Gatwick airport has warned flights may face disruption. A spokesman said: “Due to air traffic restriction due to adverse weather, some flights may be subject to delay. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.”Gatwick airport has warned flights may face disruption. A spokesman said: “Due to air traffic restriction due to adverse weather, some flights may be subject to delay. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.”
Highways England has shut the Severn Bridge on the M48 to all vehicles and a stretch of the A35 bypass at Dorchester due to flooding.Highways England has shut the Severn Bridge on the M48 to all vehicles and a stretch of the A35 bypass at Dorchester due to flooding.
The Met Office has issued amber “be prepared” wind warnings for Wales, the south west, the south coast and London and south-east England.The Met Office has issued amber “be prepared” wind warnings for Wales, the south west, the south coast and London and south-east England.
Forecaster Emma Sillitoe said the winds may be some of the worst so far this winter, and may near gusts of 105mph recorded last month in Shetland, Scotland.Forecaster Emma Sillitoe said the winds may be some of the worst so far this winter, and may near gusts of 105mph recorded last month in Shetland, Scotland.
Ms Sillitoe said: “We are looking to see gusts of 60-70mph quite widely, hitting the south west, Devon and Cornwall and moving across southern central parts towards London through the day. It is going to be picking up towards 70mph around lunchtime in London.Ms Sillitoe said: “We are looking to see gusts of 60-70mph quite widely, hitting the south west, Devon and Cornwall and moving across southern central parts towards London through the day. It is going to be picking up towards 70mph around lunchtime in London.
“We have seen 96mph at the Needles off the Isle of Wight and gusts to 80mph are likely, especially along northern coasts of Devon and Cornwall and along the Bristol Channel as well.”“We have seen 96mph at the Needles off the Isle of Wight and gusts to 80mph are likely, especially along northern coasts of Devon and Cornwall and along the Bristol Channel as well.”
Additional reporting by Press AssociationAdditional reporting by Press Association