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Storm Emma: Army called in to rescue drivers stuck in snow Storm Emma: Army called in to rescue drivers stuck in snow
(35 minutes later)
The Army have been deployed to rescue hundreds of drivers, as sub-zero conditions continue across the UK. The Army has been deployed to rescue hundreds of drivers, as sub-zero conditions continue across the UK.
The military are helping police in Greater Manchester free motorists stranded in snow from the M62.The military are helping police in Greater Manchester free motorists stranded in snow from the M62.
Major incidents have been declared in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Avon and Somerset, as blizzards brought roads to a standstill. Elsewhere passengers were trapped on freezing trains.Major incidents have been declared in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Avon and Somerset, as blizzards brought roads to a standstill. Elsewhere passengers were trapped on freezing trains.
Flights and trains have been cancelled and thousands of schools are shut.Flights and trains have been cancelled and thousands of schools are shut.
There are yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and wind in place across the UK throughout Friday, with a Scottish warning in force until 23:55 GMT on Monday.There are yellow weather warnings for snow, ice and wind in place across the UK throughout Friday, with a Scottish warning in force until 23:55 GMT on Monday.
National Grid's first "gas deficit warning" for eight years has been withdrawn. The power operator issued the warning on Thursday, saying it might not have enough gas to meet demand due to the cold. The Environment Agency has issued seven flood warnings and 20 flood alerts for coastal areas in the south-west and north-east of England.
Severe flooding has been reported in Penzance, due to high river levels and large seas.
Police forces across the UK have told people to travel only if necessary.Police forces across the UK have told people to travel only if necessary.
There is a warning of black ice on the M6. Highways England has said some of the worst problems are near Rochdale on the M62 - which is closed as stranded vehicles are cleared - and on the A303 near Ilminster and the A31 in the New Forest - where the Army have been helping to rescue drivers. There is a warning of black ice on the M6. Highways England has said some of the worst problems are near Rochdale on the M62 - which is closed as stranded vehicles are cleared - and on the A303 near Ilminster and the A31 in the New Forest - where the Army has been helping to rescue drivers.
On the M62, volunteers from Milnrow, Rochdale, took hot drinks, food and blankets to some of those stuck - including a bottle of warm milk for a five-week-old baby.On the M62, volunteers from Milnrow, Rochdale, took hot drinks, food and blankets to some of those stuck - including a bottle of warm milk for a five-week-old baby.
Much of Wales has been brought to a standstill, where routine operations have been cancelled as health boards make a plea for staff to attend work. Travel conditions in Scotland remain treacherous.Much of Wales has been brought to a standstill, where routine operations have been cancelled as health boards make a plea for staff to attend work. Travel conditions in Scotland remain treacherous.
The Environment Agency has issued seven flood warnings and 20 flood alerts for coastal areas in the south-west and north-east of England. Severe flooding has already been reported in Penzance, due to high river levels and large seas. National Grid's first "gas deficit warning" for eight years has been withdrawn. The power operator issued the warning on Thursday, saying it might not have enough gas to meet demand due to the cold.
Passengers who boarded a South Western Railway train to Weymouth at 17:05 GMT on Thursday were still in their carriages on Friday morning after their train broke down in the middle of the night.Passengers who boarded a South Western Railway train to Weymouth at 17:05 GMT on Thursday were still in their carriages on Friday morning after their train broke down in the middle of the night.
Robert Luther, 48, from Poole, was returning from work in London.Robert Luther, 48, from Poole, was returning from work in London.
"We've been stuck here for 11 hours - it must have been close to zero degrees in here last night," he told the BBC."We've been stuck here for 11 hours - it must have been close to zero degrees in here last night," he told the BBC.
"We had 3 foil blankets between 30 of us. A few of us have put plastic bags over our socks and inside our boots - a tip we heard on BBC News yesterday.""We had 3 foil blankets between 30 of us. A few of us have put plastic bags over our socks and inside our boots - a tip we heard on BBC News yesterday."
Another passenger, Dave Taylor, said people had been trying to sleep, but it was "so, so cold".Another passenger, Dave Taylor, said people had been trying to sleep, but it was "so, so cold".
"A fire brigade medic had arrived to check no casualties," he said. "No power. No lights. Nothing. Refreshments have run out.""A fire brigade medic had arrived to check no casualties," he said. "No power. No lights. Nothing. Refreshments have run out."
Meanwhile on another train, Shane White finally arrived in Bournemouth having left Cardiff some 16 hours earlier.Meanwhile on another train, Shane White finally arrived in Bournemouth having left Cardiff some 16 hours earlier.
At the sceneAt the scene
Robert Hall, BBC News, on the A303 in WiltshireRobert Hall, BBC News, on the A303 in Wiltshire
High in the Wiltshire hills, a long line of darkened vehicles snakes down the snow-covered carriageway near the village of Mere.High in the Wiltshire hills, a long line of darkened vehicles snakes down the snow-covered carriageway near the village of Mere.
We, like hundreds of drivers have spent 12 hours in stationary traffic. The A303 is littered with vehicles that could go no further, blocking the plough and gritters trying to reopen the road in blizzard conditions.We, like hundreds of drivers have spent 12 hours in stationary traffic. The A303 is littered with vehicles that could go no further, blocking the plough and gritters trying to reopen the road in blizzard conditions.
One man we spoke to was trying to reach a care home whose heating had failed, others settled down to sleep in their cars.One man we spoke to was trying to reach a care home whose heating had failed, others settled down to sleep in their cars.
There's absolutely no news. We don't know what's happening, people just want some information.There's absolutely no news. We don't know what's happening, people just want some information.
The so-called Beast from the East met Storm Emma on Thursday.The so-called Beast from the East met Storm Emma on Thursday.
A seven-year-old girl was killed in Looe, Cornwall, after a car crashed into a house in icy conditions.A seven-year-old girl was killed in Looe, Cornwall, after a car crashed into a house in icy conditions.
In Edinburgh, troops were deployed to transport 200 critical care hospital workers to and from their shifts at two hospitals on Thursday evening.In Edinburgh, troops were deployed to transport 200 critical care hospital workers to and from their shifts at two hospitals on Thursday evening.
Some 15 law courts across Scotland have cancelled trials on Friday.Some 15 law courts across Scotland have cancelled trials on Friday.
Electricity North West said 5,000 customers were off-supply in Buxton, while Western Power Distribution figures showed about 4,000 properties in Wales and south-west England without power on Friday morning.Electricity North West said 5,000 customers were off-supply in Buxton, while Western Power Distribution figures showed about 4,000 properties in Wales and south-west England without power on Friday morning.
A highly unusual red weather warning for snow for south-west England and south Wales was lifted at 02:00 GMT, but an amber alert is in force until 08:00.A highly unusual red weather warning for snow for south-west England and south Wales was lifted at 02:00 GMT, but an amber alert is in force until 08:00.
What is happening with the trains?What is happening with the trains?
Across the UK, more than 20 rail operators are running a reduced service.Across the UK, more than 20 rail operators are running a reduced service.
National Rail is advising passengers to check their service before travelling. Some train operators are urging people not to travel at all.National Rail is advising passengers to check their service before travelling. Some train operators are urging people not to travel at all.
How are the airports affected?How are the airports affected?
More than 4,000 flights have been cancelled across Europe since Tuesday and the disruption is set to continue into Friday.More than 4,000 flights have been cancelled across Europe since Tuesday and the disruption is set to continue into Friday.
What is the forecast?What is the forecast?
The Met Office says the cold weather could last into next week and possibly the following week.The Met Office says the cold weather could last into next week and possibly the following week.
Up to 50cm (19 inches) of snow is forecast in parts of Dartmoor, Exmoor and uplands parts of south-east Wales accompanied by gales or severe gales in exposed areas.Up to 50cm (19 inches) of snow is forecast in parts of Dartmoor, Exmoor and uplands parts of south-east Wales accompanied by gales or severe gales in exposed areas.
Gusts of 60-70mph are possible in parts of northern England and Wales.Gusts of 60-70mph are possible in parts of northern England and Wales.
Up to 10cm (four inches) of snow is forecast in parts of Scotland and northern England, with up to 25cm over the area's hills.Up to 10cm (four inches) of snow is forecast in parts of Scotland and northern England, with up to 25cm over the area's hills.
How has the cold weather affected you? Share your pictures, video and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How has the cold weather affected you? Share your pictures, video and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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