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Storm Katie wreaks travel havoc with gusts of up to 105mph Storm Katie wreaks travel havoc with gusts of up to 105mph
(35 minutes later)
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 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.
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. London fire brigade said it had dealt with more than 110 incidents on Monday related to Storm Katie, including fallen trees and precarious scaffolding. In Greenwich, south-east London, a road was closed after a crane collapsed.
A crane has collapsed in Greenwich caused by #StormKatie @JasonRosam says the road has been closed... pic.twitter.com/mWy6ewDkZhA 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. 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”.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 highest wind speed of 105mph on Monday was recorded on the exposed Isle of Wight, the Met Office said. It issued amber warnings for London and the south-east. Gusts reached 70-80mph along the south coast. While they were starting to die down later on Monday morning, winds of 60-70mph 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. 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 of England. 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. Both Gatwick and Heathrow airport warned of cancellations and delays, the Port of Dover briefly suspended shipping and a number of trains were delayed, cancelled or replaced by buses 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.
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.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.
In addition Highways England said the Dartford river crossing and M48 Severn bridge were closed on Sunday night because of strong winds. 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.
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.”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.”
Northern Ireland and Scotland were expected to be largely unaffected, with a much quieter and bright, if showery, Easter Monday in store.Northern Ireland and Scotland were expected to be largely unaffected, with a much quieter and bright, if showery, Easter Monday in store.