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Sunderland's North Pier battered by strong winds and high waves Flood risk for Sunderland, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear
(about 5 hours later)
Part of a pier wall in Sunderland has collapsed after gale force winds whipped up waves at high tide. There is a risk of flooding along a wide stretch of England's north-eastern coast, the Environment Agency has warned.
A 120ft (36m) stretch of the North Pier was cordoned off after the incident earlier. No-one was reported hurt. Flood warnings and alerts are in force from Northumberland down to Sunderland as the region starts to thaw.
Elsewhere, the A1 in Northumberland has reopened, but motorists have been urged to drive with care as a yellow warning for snow remains in place. The latter's pier wall was washed away on Saturday by strong winds and high waves, leaving extensive damage.
The route was closed between Alnwick and the Scottish border on Thursday, leaving many drivers stuck for hours. A 120ft (36m) stretch of the North Pier remains cordoned off. Police said there were no reported injuries.
Highways England said the A66 had also reopened in both directions between the A1M at Scotch Corner and Bowes. Warnings which mean flooding is imminent are in place across the city, as well as in Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth.
Although conditions are set to improve slowly, many other roads across the region are still impassable. Lesser flood alerts, which are issued when flooding is expected, have been issued for the Northumberland coast and the Tyne and Wear coast.
Two flood warnings and four flood alerts are in force along the North East coast between Hartlepool up to Northumberland because of predicted high spring tides later. An agency spokesman said: "We urge people in these areas to stay safe and avoid coastal areas if possible and not drive through any resulting floodwater."
Drivers are also being warned of the threat of so-called freezing rain, where rain hits already snow-covered roads and immediately turns to ice. Major road routes including the A1 in Northumberland and the A66 between Scotch Corner and Bowes, have reopened after being blocked by snow.
The Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team said volunteers had responded to more than 40 incidents since Wednesday, including the rescue of a family of four from the Netherlands who were stuck in snow at Carter Bar near the Scottish border. The A1 was closed between Alnwick and the Scottish border on Thursday, leaving many drivers stuck for hours.
More 'Beast from the East' and Storm Emma stories:
Disruption continues as thaw begins
Not just snowmen: Wintry creations around England
The Lincolnshire villages cut off by snow
Although conditions are set to improve, some other roads across the region are still impassable, particularly in rural Northumberland and County Durham.
These include the A690 westbound from A19 up to Houghton-le-Spring.
The Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team said volunteers had responded to more than 40 incidents since Wednesday, including the rescue of a family-of-four from the Netherlands who were stuck in snow at Carter Bar near the Scottish border.
Volunteers further south with the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team said they had been called on to assist district nurses make essential visits to patients.Volunteers further south with the Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team said they had been called on to assist district nurses make essential visits to patients.
They also helped paramedics reach an ill patient in the village of Westerdale, near Scarborough.They also helped paramedics reach an ill patient in the village of Westerdale, near Scarborough.
Virgin Trains East Coast said services north of Newcastle to Scotland had resumed and planned to run a near-normal service between the North East and London. Virgin Trains East Coast said services north of Newcastle to Scotland had resumed and it planned to run a near-normal service between the north-east and London.
Passengers using Northern services had additional problems on Saturday because of a 24-hour strike by members of the RMT union over the introduction of driver-only trains.Passengers using Northern services had additional problems on Saturday because of a 24-hour strike by members of the RMT union over the introduction of driver-only trains.
The company said it had been forced to axe about 50% of services.The company said it had been forced to axe about 50% of services.
Northern Powergrid said it had managed to restore electricity to about 12,000 properties in the North East that had been cut off over the past 24 hours. Northern Powergrid said it had managed to restore electricity to about 12,000 properties in the north-east.