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Storm Katie: Winds see flights cancelled and property damaged Storm Katie: Winds see flights cancelled and property damaged
(about 1 hour later)
Storm Katie has seen gusts of up to 105mph battering England and Wales, with several flights diverted from airports and major bridges shut. Storm Katie has battered large parts of England, leaving flights cancelled, property damaged and thousands of people without power.
More than 20 Gatwick-bound flights had to be diverted to other airports, while Heathrow has cancelled more than 60. Planes bound for Gatwick and Heathrow were diverted to other airports and dozens were cancelled as gusts of up to 105mph hit the south of the country.
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 80,000 homes were without power at the height of the winds, with thousands still awaiting reconnection.
At least 5,000 homes are without power and 23 flood warnings are in place. The Environment Agency has issued 29 flood warnings following heavy rain.
Latest updates on Storm Katie disruption and weather warningsLatest updates on Storm Katie disruption and weather warnings
Your pictures of Storm Katie, as it hits England and Wales Your pictures of Storm Katie
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 Environment Agency has issued 29 flood warnings and about 150 alerts in response to what is said were "rapidly rising" river levels in the wake of the storm.
The planes diverted from Gatwick had all been due to land after midnight, but were sent to airports including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands. Travel disruption included the overnight closure of Dartford River Crossing and M48 Severn Bridge - which has now reopened - and several train routes were hit with delays because of trees blown on to tracks.
A spokeswoman said 26 flights had been cancelled and 23 diverted. Heathrow cancelled 61 flights and diverted another 20. Plane passengers on social media spoke of "scary" attempts to land at Gatwick Airport in high winds before their flights were diverted.
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."
High winds from the storm left power lines damaged and thousands of properties with no electricity. Those disrupted include: The planes diverted from Gatwick had all been due to land after midnight, but were sent to airports including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands.
A spokeswoman said 26 flights had been cancelled and 23 diverted. Heathrow cancelled 61 flights and diverted another 20.
Earlier, BBC weather forecaster Simon King tweeted that gusts of 105mph had been recorded at the Needles off the Isle of Wight.Earlier, BBC weather forecaster Simon King tweeted that gusts of 105mph had been recorded at the Needles off the Isle of Wight.
High winds from the storm left power lines damaged causing cuts to over 80,000 homes across the south of England, according to Southern Electric Distribution.
The firm says it has restored power to 40,300 homes since Sunday night, while a further 41,889 homes across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire , Dorset, Surrey, West Sussex, Wiltshire and the Isle of Wight are without electricity.
Western Power Distribution says more than 4,000 homes are without power across the Midlands, South West and Wales.
The Met Office's amber warning for the south east of England said the risk of disruption was highest from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight eastwards to Sussex, Surrey and Kent.The Met Office's amber warning for the south east of England said the risk of disruption was highest from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight eastwards to Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Winds and heavy rain started on Sunday night, with many people finding storm damage to trees, properties and building sites after they woke on Monday.Winds and heavy rain started on Sunday night, with many people finding storm damage to trees, properties and building sites after they woke on Monday.
A crane collapsed at a construction site in Greenwich, south east London, while in Croydon one man found scaffolding from a house extension blown on to nearby cars.A crane collapsed at a construction site in Greenwich, south east London, while in Croydon one man found scaffolding from a house extension blown on to nearby cars.
London Fire Brigade says it has dealt with more than 110 incidents caused by the high winds. In Sussex, police say they received about 600 weather-related calls between midnight and 09:30 BST.London Fire Brigade says it has dealt with more than 110 incidents caused by the high winds. In Sussex, police say they received about 600 weather-related calls between midnight and 09:30 BST.
Sports events have also been affected. AFC Wimbledon tweeted that their match against Portsmouth had been postponed.Sports events have also been affected. AFC Wimbledon tweeted that their match against Portsmouth had been postponed.
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. The QE2 Bridge, the southbound crossing over the River Thames at Dartford, remains closed because of the high winds causing severe congestion in the surrounding area.
The M48 Severn Crossing, which connects England and Wales, was closed earlier but has now re-opened, as has the A38 Tamar Bridge in Cornwall.The M48 Severn Crossing, which connects England and Wales, was closed earlier but has now re-opened, as has the A38 Tamar Bridge in Cornwall.
Cross-Channel and Isle of Wight ferry services are subject to delays and temporary sailing restrictions were put in place at the Port of Dover.Cross-Channel and Isle of Wight ferry services are subject to delays and temporary sailing restrictions were put in place at the Port of Dover.
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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