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Storm Brian: UK braced for gale-force winds and disruption | Storm Brian: UK braced for gale-force winds and disruption |
(35 minutes later) | |
The UK is facing gale-force winds and possible flooding from Storm Brian - days after three people died in Ireland in the aftermath of Hurricane Ophelia. | The UK is facing gale-force winds and possible flooding from Storm Brian - days after three people died in Ireland in the aftermath of Hurricane Ophelia. |
Gusts of up to 70mph are predicted from Saturday morning, with forecasters warning of the potential for flooding, power cuts and transport disruption. | Gusts of up to 70mph are predicted from Saturday morning, with forecasters warning of the potential for flooding, power cuts and transport disruption. |
Strong wind warnings are in place across much of Britain, including Wales, south England and the Midlands. | Strong wind warnings are in place across much of Britain, including Wales, south England and the Midlands. |
Six flood warnings are in place across England, urging "immediate action". | Six flood warnings are in place across England, urging "immediate action". |
It comes after three people were killed and hundreds of thousands of people - mostly in the Irish Republic - were left without power after the remnants of Ophelia battered the British Isles. | It comes after three people were killed and hundreds of thousands of people - mostly in the Irish Republic - were left without power after the remnants of Ophelia battered the British Isles. |
Strong winds and high seas have already reached the western coast of Ireland. | |
Gusts could reach 130km/h (80mph) there, Irish weather agency Met Éireann said. | |
It has issued an orange warning - its second most severe alert - in seven Irish counties. | |
But the winds due there "won't be anywhere near as strong as Storm Ophelia," the weather agency said. | |
The storm is now moving into Wales, causing trains and ferries to be cancelled and seafront roads to be closed. | |
Natural Resources Wales said the coastline was likely to be "extremely dangerous this weekend" and urged people to avoid it. | |
Ceredigion council has also warned people to "keep away" from seafronts and "be careful" on low lying land where coastal flooding is possible. | |
The Met Office's chief forecaster, Dan Suri, said gusts between 45mph (72km/h) and 55mph (88km/h) were forecast widely, while gusts of 60mph (96km/h) to 70mph (112km/h) were expected in exposed coastal areas. | The Met Office's chief forecaster, Dan Suri, said gusts between 45mph (72km/h) and 55mph (88km/h) were forecast widely, while gusts of 60mph (96km/h) to 70mph (112km/h) were expected in exposed coastal areas. |
"These are expected to coincide with high tides, leading to locally dangerous conditions in coastal parts," he said. | "These are expected to coincide with high tides, leading to locally dangerous conditions in coastal parts," he said. |
In addition to the flood warnings, the Environment Agency has issued 42 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - most of which are in the west and south-west of England. | In addition to the flood warnings, the Environment Agency has issued 42 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible - most of which are in the west and south-west of England. |
Flood barriers have been put in place in areas including Fowey in Cornwall, as south-western towns brace themselves to become some of the worst affected areas of the British Isles. | Flood barriers have been put in place in areas including Fowey in Cornwall, as south-western towns brace themselves to become some of the worst affected areas of the British Isles. |
BBC weather presenter Tomasz Schafernaker said for 80% of the country, it will be a "normal autumn windy day", but there were concerns on the coast. | |
"In areas of the south west, there will be high winds and big waves crashing over, so for those hardy people who at the weekend like to go for a stroll even in this weather, there is a danger there," he said. | |
"There are also barriers in local areas, so there are flooding concerns. But the level of the winds is expected for autumn and winter." | |
Across the UK National Rail warned the stormy weather could affect train services, with emergency speed restrictions imposed on most of the routes in Wales. | |
A spokesman said: "Fallen trees and other debris may temporarily block railway lines and damage overhead wires. | A spokesman said: "Fallen trees and other debris may temporarily block railway lines and damage overhead wires. |
"Speed restrictions may be imposed in the worst affected areas for safety reasons, which may delay your journey." | "Speed restrictions may be imposed in the worst affected areas for safety reasons, which may delay your journey." |
The Environment Agency's national flood duty manager, Ben Lukey, warned people against posing for photos during the hazardous conditions. | The Environment Agency's national flood duty manager, Ben Lukey, warned people against posing for photos during the hazardous conditions. |
He said: "We urge people to stay safe along the coast and warn against putting yourself in unnecessary danger by taking 'storm selfies' or driving through flood water - just 30cm (11in) is enough to move your car." | He said: "We urge people to stay safe along the coast and warn against putting yourself in unnecessary danger by taking 'storm selfies' or driving through flood water - just 30cm (11in) is enough to move your car." |
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