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Storm Katie: Winds prompt severe weather warnings as travel disrupted and property damaged across UK Storm Katie: Kayaker feared dead as winds and heavy train damage property and disrupt travel across the UK
(about 4 hours later)
Significant damage has been caused and travel has been disrupted as Storm Katie sweeps across the UK. A kayaker is feared dead after Storm Katie swept across the UK.
Severe weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for London and southeast England, while a yellow warning for wind has been issued for south Wales, the East and South West. Police are searching for the unidentified man after his kayak capsized in the River Wey in Surrey. 
Gusts of 60 to 70 mph have been predicted, particularly along the south coast. Significant damage has been caused, flights have been delayed or diverted, and 80,000 homes were without power in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Oxfordshire in the aftermath of the storm hitting the south coast.
Storm Katie has caused travel chaos across the UK, disrupting the flight schedules of many airports in southern England. Severe weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office for London and south-east England, while a yellow warning for wind has been issued for south Wales, the East and South-west.
Gusts of up to 106mph were recorded on the Isle of Wight and the Environment Agency issued 27 flood warnings after heavy rains. 
Storm Katie has also caused travel chaos across the UK, disrupting the flight schedules of many airports in southern England.
Passengers told of their terror as planes coming in to land at Gatwick and Heathrow airports were forced to divert to Birmingham and Manchester. 
Dan Prance, 27, from south London, branded his trip back from Budapest the "worst flight of my life" and said passengers were so relieved when they finally touched down that many burst into tears.
He said: "When we approached into Gatwick from Budapest the plane was dropping suddenly and swinging left to right. You could see from the windows there was a massive storm happening outside, the wind and rain was smashing against the glass.
"We got closer to the ground at Gatwick until the captain suddenly aborted the landing and we went shooting back up into the sky to attempt again.
"The captain came on the PA system and explained that the winds were way too strong for this kind of plane to land and he had to abort the landing at the last moment for safety. It was absolutely terrifying."
He said they were eventually diverted to Birmingham but only discovered where they were when they landed and people checked Google Maps.
Railways have also been disrupted after planned Easter engineering works were exacerbated by fallen trees on a number of lines in Surrey and Sussex.Railways have also been disrupted after planned Easter engineering works were exacerbated by fallen trees on a number of lines in Surrey and Sussex.
In Battersea, south west London, high winds brought down part of a pub's roof support, spreading rubble across the road. In Battersea, south-west London, high winds brought down part of a pub's roof support, spreading rubble across the road.
An industrial crane in Greenwich was bent double by the winds. No injuries have been reported, but Creekside Road was closed and a nearby building evacuated.An industrial crane in Greenwich was bent double by the winds. No injuries have been reported, but Creekside Road was closed and a nearby building evacuated.
Richmond Park has been closed as a safety precaution. Richmond Park was also closed as a safety precaution.
In the Channel Islands, an empty horse stable was lifted up by the winds and crashed into the front of a house 50m (164ft) down the road in Alderney.
Fallen trees and debris in flood water has also held up motorists, while the Dartford River Crossing and M48 Severn Bridge were closed completely overnight on Sunday by Highways England.Fallen trees and debris in flood water has also held up motorists, while the Dartford River Crossing and M48 Severn Bridge were closed completely overnight on Sunday by Highways England.
Junctions on the M6 Northbound have now been re-opened after being shut because of rain running off fields flooding the lanes.Junctions on the M6 Northbound have now been re-opened after being shut because of rain running off fields flooding the lanes.
Ships and ferries have also been suspended in Dover harbour due to the strong winds and high seas. Ships and ferries were suspended in Dover harbour due to the strong winds and high seas.
The London Fire Brigade has been called to more than 110 incidents, including collapsed scaffolding and fallen trees.The London Fire Brigade has been called to more than 110 incidents, including collapsed scaffolding and fallen trees.
A spokesperson said: “Firefighters are always on hand should any buildings, hoardings or scaffolding be left in a precarious position and posing a risk to life because of high winds.A spokesperson said: “Firefighters are always on hand should any buildings, hoardings or scaffolding be left in a precarious position and posing a risk to life because of high winds.
"Our 999 control officers have worked tirelessly to deal with hundreds of calls and get fire crews there as quickly as possible."Our 999 control officers have worked tirelessly to deal with hundreds of calls and get fire crews there as quickly as possible.
“To help stay safe during windy weather people should always clear gardens, balconies and window sills of anything that could be blown away. They should also take extra care if they venture outside and be careful using candles in the case of a power cut.”“To help stay safe during windy weather people should always clear gardens, balconies and window sills of anything that could be blown away. They should also take extra care if they venture outside and be careful using candles in the case of a power cut.”
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."
Additional reporting by agenciesAdditional reporting by agencies