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Storm Katie: High winds see Gatwick flights diverted Storm Katie: High winds see Gatwick flights diverted
(35 minutes later)
Storm Katie has seen gusts of up to 105mph battering England and Wales, with several flights diverted from Gatwick Airport and major bridges shut. Storm Katie has seen gusts of up to 105mph battering England and Wales, with several flights diverted from airports and major bridges shut.
The Met Office issued an amber warning for winds for London and the South East with a yellow alert for the east and south-west of England and south Wales. More than 20 Gatwick-bound flights had to be diverted to other airports, while Heathrow has reported cancellations.
The Dartford River Crossing, M48 Severn Bridge and the Sheppey Crossing have all been closed, Highways England said. The Met Office issued an amber warning for winds for London and south-east England, with a yellow alert for the east and south west, and south Wales.
More than 20 flights heading to Gatwick had to be diverted to other airports. At least 2,000 homes are without power and 23 flood warnings are in place.
A number of power cuts have also been reported around Sussex, Surrey and Kent. UK Power Networks say they are dealing with a high number of faults. UK Power Networks say they are dealing with a high number of faults across Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Latest updates on Storm Katie disruption and weather warningsLatest updates on Storm Katie disruption and weather warnings
The planes diverted from Gatwick had all been due to land at the Sussex airport after midnight. Other flights have been delayed. Motorists have also been warned of disruption with three major bridges - the Dartford River Crossing, M48 Severn Bridge and the Sheppey Crossing - all closed, Highways England said.
By 05:00 Gatwick said 16 flights had been cancelled and 24 diverted to other destinations because of the stormy weather. The Environment Agency has issued 23 flood warnings and 122 alerts in response to what is said were "rapidly rising" river levels in the wake of the storm.
The flights were diverted to airports including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands. The planes diverted from Gatwick had all been due to land at the airport in West Sussex after midnight, but were sent to airports including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands. Other flights have been delayed.
Some of the flights had made aborted attempts to land at Gatwick. Some of the flights had made attempts to land at Gatwick.
Twitter user @michelegrant wrote: "Truly thankful to be on the ground in Stansted after terrifying failed attempts to land at Gatwick in #StormKatie."Twitter user @michelegrant wrote: "Truly thankful to be on the ground in Stansted after terrifying failed attempts to land at Gatwick in #StormKatie."
Another passenger, Simon Quinton, tweeted: "Glad it's a bank holiday. Delayed #Gatwick flight aborted at landing due to weather and now @ East Midlands airport at 2.45am. Urgh."Another passenger, Simon Quinton, tweeted: "Glad it's a bank holiday. Delayed #Gatwick flight aborted at landing due to weather and now @ East Midlands airport at 2.45am. Urgh."
BBC weather forecaster Simon King tweeted that gusts of 105mph had been recorded at the Needles off the Isle of Wight.BBC weather forecaster Simon King tweeted that gusts of 105mph had been recorded at the Needles off the Isle of Wight.
BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller said: "It is particularly southern parts of England bearing the brunt of Storm Katie but also into parts of East Anglia as well, with these potentially damaging and disruptive gusts of wind of 60 to 70 miles per hour - but possibly more in the most exposed areas. BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller said: "It is particularly southern parts of England bearing the brunt of Storm Katie but also into parts of East Anglia as well, with these potentially damaging and disruptive gusts of wind of 60 to 70mph - but possibly more in the most exposed areas.
"It won't be until Easter Monday afternoon before things gradually improve across parts of eastern England." "It won't be until Easter Monday afternoon that things gradually improve across parts of eastern England."
The Met Office's amber warning for the south east of England said: "Very strong southerly winds will develop across southern England from the early hours of Monday, eventually veering westerly before clearing by late morning.The Met Office's amber warning for the south east of England said: "Very strong southerly winds will develop across southern England from the early hours of Monday, eventually veering westerly before clearing by late morning.
"The risk of disruption looks to be highest across parts of the south east from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight eastwards to Sussex, Surrey and Kent. Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely at times, particularly along the south coast.""The risk of disruption looks to be highest across parts of the south east from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight eastwards to Sussex, Surrey and Kent. Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are likely at times, particularly along the south coast."
Highways England said the QE2 Bridge, the southbound crossing over the River Thames at Dartford, had been closed overnight because of the winds, with vehicles being diverted through the tunnel that usually serves northbound traffic.Highways England said the QE2 Bridge, the southbound crossing over the River Thames at Dartford, had been closed overnight because of the winds, with vehicles being diverted through the tunnel that usually serves northbound traffic.
Other bridges affected include:Other bridges affected include:
Highways England warned road users across the South West, South East and Eastern regions to check the weather forecast and road conditions before travelling on Monday - particularly if using "vulnerable vehicles" such as motorbikes, caravans and high-sided vehicles.Highways England warned road users across the South West, South East and Eastern regions to check the weather forecast and road conditions before travelling on Monday - particularly if using "vulnerable vehicles" such as motorbikes, caravans and high-sided vehicles.
Are you affected by Storm Katie? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you affected by Storm Katie? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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