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Storm Katie forces flight diversions from Gatwick and road closures Storm Katie wreaks travel havoc with gusts of up to 105mph
(about 2 hours later)
Some flights to Gatwick airport had to be diverted due to high winds early on Monday as Storm Katie continued to blight the Easter weekend. Gusts of up to 105mph have hit parts of Britain as Storm Katie wreaked havoc on Easter Monday, with the winds and heavy rain disrupting rail, road, air and sea networks in England and Wales. Tens of thousands of households have also been left without electricity.
Gusts of more than 70mph hit areas in the south-west and amber weather warnings were issued for London and the south-east. Flooding also caused road closures in the north-west of England and delays to rail services in South Yorkshire. London fire brigade said it had dealt with over 110 incidents on Monday related to Storm Katie, including fallen trees and scaffolding in precarious positions. In Greenwich, south-east London a road was closed after a crane collapsed due to the wind.
In addition Highways England said the Dartford river crossing and M48 Severn bridge were closed on Sunday night because of strong winds. A crane has collapsed in Greenwich caused by #StormKatie @JasonRosam says the road has been closed... pic.twitter.com/mWy6ewDkZh
Southern Electric Power Distribution, which covers central southern England, said about 42,000 customers had lost power, including more than 28,000 in west Sussex. It said it had had to contend with average winds of 80mph and had more than 900 engineering, technical and support staff on duty, and that it had restored power to 40,300 customers since Sunday night.
At 8am, UK Power Networks, which covers the south-east and east of England, said 19,000 customers had lost electricity. A statement posted on its website just before 10am said it had “already remotely restored the majority of power supplies affected”.
The highest wind speed of 105mph on Monday was recorded on the Isle of Wight due to its exposed nature, the Met Office said. It issued amber warnings for London and the south-east. Gusts reached 70 to 80mph along the south coast. While they were starting to die down later on Monday morning, winds of 60 to 70mph were recorded in East Anglia and they were still reaching 50-60mph on the south coast.
The Environment Agency had 28 flood warnings, indicating flooding is expected and immediate action required, in place – 18 of them in the south-east. Warnings were also in place in the Midlands, south-west and north-east. There were also 143 flood alerts in place, indicating possible flooding in place, mainly in the south-east, the south-west and Midlands.
Both Gatwick and Heathrow airport warned of cancellations and delays, the Port of Dover briefly suspended shipping in the harbour and a number of train services were delayed, cancelled or replaced by bus services because of obstructions on the line or flooding.
Four flights due to land at Gatwick’s north terminal between 2am and 2.55am were listed as diverted on the airport’s website.Four flights due to land at Gatwick’s north terminal between 2am and 2.55am were listed as diverted on the airport’s website.
The Met Office tweeted that gusts of 77mph had been recorded at Berry Head and the Needles experienced winds of 87mph. Highways England issued a severe weather alert for the south-west, south-east and eastern regions, warning drivers of high-sided vehicles, caravans, motorbikes and other vulnerable vehicles to take extra care when travelling due to the increased risk of vehicles being blown over.
#StormKatie is moving across England and Wales currently. Here are the highest wind gusts as of 3am pic.twitter.com/68EYS6wlGC In addition Highways England said the Dartford river crossing and M48 Severn bridge were closed on Sunday night because of strong winds.
Those travelling back from breaks across the country were advised to be careful on the roads, and if possible delay their journeys until Monday afternoon.Those travelling back from breaks across the country were advised to be careful on the roads, and if possible delay their journeys until Monday afternoon.
Heavy rain forced the closure of the M6 northbound between junctions 13 and 14 on Monday morning, as well as the sliproad to junction two of the M56 leading towards the M60 Manchester ring road.Heavy rain forced the closure of the M6 northbound between junctions 13 and 14 on Monday morning, as well as the sliproad to junction two of the M56 leading towards the M60 Manchester ring road.
This is the scene on the #M6 this morning which has been closed due to flooding#StormKatiehttps://t.co/JOa8Pkb96P pic.twitter.com/r5dspxQXKKThis is the scene on the #M6 this morning which has been closed due to flooding#StormKatiehttps://t.co/JOa8Pkb96P pic.twitter.com/r5dspxQXKK
In South Yorkshire, trains were delayed between Sheffield and Kiveton Bridge because of flooding on the track. All trains between Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly were cancelled due to track damage at Crewe station, with trains terminating instead at Alderley Edge and Sandbach.In South Yorkshire, trains were delayed between Sheffield and Kiveton Bridge because of flooding on the track. All trains between Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly were cancelled due to track damage at Crewe station, with trains terminating instead at Alderley Edge and Sandbach.
Heavy rain moving north-east across England and Wales presents a risk of localised flooding, while motorists were advised to be wary of branches falling from trees in the high winds. Met Office meteorologist Mark Wilson said: “By the early part of the afternoon it [Storm Katie] should have moved its way into the North Sea with lighter winds and much more in the way of sunshine [in its stead]. Tomorrow will not be much warmer but much calmer and it will remain so throughout the rest of the week.”
A yellow warning for wind has been issued for south Wales, the east and south-west, while a more serious amber warning is in place for London and the south-east. Northern Ireland and Scotland were expected to be largely unaffected, with a much quieter and bright, if showery, Easter Monday in store.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “There is likely to be a lot of surface spray on the roads, there could be localised flooding, and the winds could cause branches to come off the trees, and one or two tiles off the roof.
“On the south coast there could be quite large waves. People should keep tuned in to the forecast, and avoid the east coast, south coast and high grounds as well if possible. Allow extra time for your journey and if possible try and delay your journey as winds will tend to ease off throughout the day.”
Winds of up to 60mph are forecast inland, with speeds of 70mph expected along the south coast, especially towards exposed areas across the south and south-east.
Northern Ireland and Scotland were expected to be largely unaffected, with a much quieter and bright, if showery, Easter Monday in store, Petagna added.