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Storm Dennis: Major incidents declared in south Wales and Herefordshire Storm Dennis: Major incidents declared in south Wales and Herefordshire
(about 1 hour later)
Major incidents have been declared in south Wales and parts of England after flooding and landslides, as Storm Dennis continues to batter the UK. Major incidents have been declared in south Wales and parts of England, as Storm Dennis batters the UK.
Efforts are under way to rescue people after water rushed into their homes in Powys, and some properties in Neath and Monmouthshire have been evacuated. Dyfed Powys Police said a man had been found dead after falling into the River Tawe, while South Wales Police said it was dealing with "multiple" landslides and floods - some trapping residents.
Homes have also been flooded in Herefordshire, where one resident said the storm had hit "like a tornado".Homes have also been flooded in Herefordshire, where one resident said the storm had hit "like a tornado".
More than 300 flood warnings have been issued across the UK.More than 300 flood warnings have been issued across the UK.
There are currently four severe flood warnings in England and two in Wales, which mean there is a danger to life.There are currently four severe flood warnings in England and two in Wales, which mean there is a danger to life.
A record number of flood warnings and alerts were issued for England on Sunday, according to John Curtin, the Environment Agency's head of floods and coastal management - reaching a combined total of 594 shortly before midday.
Jessica Falk Perlman, who is on holiday with her family in Crickhowell, Powys, to celebrate her mother's 60th birthday, told BBC Radio 5 Live that firefighters woke them at 04:00 GMT to tell them they were being evacuated because the River Usk had burst its banks.Jessica Falk Perlman, who is on holiday with her family in Crickhowell, Powys, to celebrate her mother's 60th birthday, told BBC Radio 5 Live that firefighters woke them at 04:00 GMT to tell them they were being evacuated because the River Usk had burst its banks.
But water quickly came flooding into their holiday home, forcing them upstairs and stalling their evacuation.But water quickly came flooding into their holiday home, forcing them upstairs and stalling their evacuation.
"The door of our house burst open and water came flooding in right up to the top of the stairs which was quite nerve wracking at the time," she said."The door of our house burst open and water came flooding in right up to the top of the stairs which was quite nerve wracking at the time," she said.
"It's well over the front door of the house, it's flooded all the way up to the ceiling.""It's well over the front door of the house, it's flooded all the way up to the ceiling."
Amy Price, 20, said her family were trapped in the upstairs of their home in Llanover, Monmouthshire, because water on the ground floor had reached as high as the light switches.Amy Price, 20, said her family were trapped in the upstairs of their home in Llanover, Monmouthshire, because water on the ground floor had reached as high as the light switches.
"The river started rising about 1am and at 3am it started coming into the house," she said."The river started rising about 1am and at 3am it started coming into the house," she said.
"We started sweeping the water away and then at 6am the river started coming over the bank.""We started sweeping the water away and then at 6am the river started coming over the bank."
South Wales Police said emergency services were working with local organisations to ensure the safety of people in communities cut-off by flooding, and to minimise damage and disruption.South Wales Police said emergency services were working with local organisations to ensure the safety of people in communities cut-off by flooding, and to minimise damage and disruption.
Emergency centres have been set up for those who have been displaced.Emergency centres have been set up for those who have been displaced.
Assistant chief constable Jennifer Gilmer praised rescue workers' professionalism and advised people "not to panic".Assistant chief constable Jennifer Gilmer praised rescue workers' professionalism and advised people "not to panic".
Meanwhile, in Herefordshire, the council said it was working with the emergency services, the Environment Agency and health partners to assist residents.Meanwhile, in Herefordshire, the council said it was working with the emergency services, the Environment Agency and health partners to assist residents.
It urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and check on their neighbours, and said "rest centres" are being set up for those who need to be evacuated.It urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and check on their neighbours, and said "rest centres" are being set up for those who need to be evacuated.
Sarah Bridge, 55, compared Storm Dennis to a tornado and said water had flooded her home in Pontrilas in Herefordshire despite specialist flood doors, reaching her knees.Sarah Bridge, 55, compared Storm Dennis to a tornado and said water had flooded her home in Pontrilas in Herefordshire despite specialist flood doors, reaching her knees.
"It's heartbreaking," she said. "The kitchen is completely flooded, I can hear things floating about downstairs.""It's heartbreaking," she said. "The kitchen is completely flooded, I can hear things floating about downstairs."
A major incident has also been declared after flooding at properties in Lowdham in Nottinghamshire.
Properties were also flooded in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire - and residents were urged to take "extreme care" by the area's Environment Agency manager.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News's Sophy Ridge that the UK government was "stepping up its response" to extreme weather conditions.Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News's Sophy Ridge that the UK government was "stepping up its response" to extreme weather conditions.
He said it had put £2.4bn into defences over a six-year spending period up until next year, and would allocate £4bn for the next six-year period.He said it had put £2.4bn into defences over a six-year spending period up until next year, and would allocate £4bn for the next six-year period.
Of the flood warnings, more than 200 apply in England, more than 70 in Wales, and more than 40 in Scotland - where two people had to be rescued after their car was swept off the road near Newcastleton. Of the flood warnings, more than 200 apply in England, more than 60 in Wales, and more than 20 in Scotland - where two people had to be rescued after their car was swept off the road near Newcastleton.
In York, the Environment Agency has predicted the River Ouse could come close to record levels seen in 2000.In York, the Environment Agency has predicted the River Ouse could come close to record levels seen in 2000.
Properties were also flooded in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, on Sunday morning - and residents were urged to take "extreme care" by the area's Environment Agency manager.
Across the UK road, rail and air travellers also face disruption.Across the UK road, rail and air travellers also face disruption.
About 170 flights were cancelled as of Sunday morning, affecting at least 25,000 passengers. About 170 flights were cancelled on Sunday morning, affecting at least 25,000 passengers.
The storm has caused disruption at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Southend, Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick airports over the weekend. Storm Dennis caused disruption for 19 train companies, according to National Rail, with routes suspended across south Wales and in parts of England and Scotland.
Rail services have been suspended across south Wales, and in parts of England and Scotland, according to National Rail. Highways England said strong winds had closed part of the M48 Severn Bridge eastbound, while flooding closed part of the M54 and A-roads in Lincolnshire, Herefordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Gloucestershire.
Highways England said strong winds had closed part of the M48 Severn Bridge eastbound and the QEII bridge at the Dartford Crossing, while flooding closed A-roads in South Yorkshire, Herefordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Gloucestershire.
Wind gusts reached 91mph on Saturday, according to the Met Office.
Amber warnings for rain and yellow warnings for wind are in place for most of the country into Sunday evening.Amber warnings for rain and yellow warnings for wind are in place for most of the country into Sunday evening.
This means flooding could cause a danger to life, power cuts are expected and there is a good chance transport links will be impacted. This means flooding could cause a danger to life, power cuts are expected and there is a good chance transport links will continue to be impacted.
On Saturday, the body of a man was pulled from the sea off the Kent coast. Wind gusts reached 91mph on Saturday, according to the Met Office.
The man was declared dead at the scene in Herne Bay after emergency services were called at 12:15 GMT. Kent Police are not linking his death to Storm Dennis. Also on Saturday:
The force said it was not known how the man had entered the water and his death was "not being treated as suspicious". Last weekend Storm Ciara brought as much as 184mm of rain and gusts reaching 97mph. It also caused hundreds of homes to be flooded and left more than 500,000 people without power.
A second body was found by the RNLI at about 13:00 GMT on Saturday after a seven-hour search in "rough seas" for a man who fell from a fuel tanker off the coast of Margate. For more information, check the BBC Weather website and your BBC Local Radio station for regular updates.
In other developments on Saturday:
Last weekend Ciara brought as much as 184mm of rain and gusts reaching 97mph. It also caused hundreds of homes to be flooded and left more than 500,000 people without power.
But experts have warned Storm Dennis could cause more flooding damage, as already saturated ground is met with a "perfect storm" of heavy rain, strong winds and melting snow.
Have you been affected by Storm Dennis? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by Storm Dennis? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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