This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6272193.stm

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Four dead as UK struck by storms Four dead as UK struck by storms
(10 minutes later)
Four people have died and travel has been severely disrupted as gales and heavy downpours hit parts of the UK.Four people have died and travel has been severely disrupted as gales and heavy downpours hit parts of the UK.
The Met Office has reported gusts of up to 70mph and Scotland has seen its first snowfalls of 2007.The Met Office has reported gusts of up to 70mph and Scotland has seen its first snowfalls of 2007.
Speed restrictions have been brought in by Network Rail and motorway sections on the M1 and M18 have been closed.Speed restrictions have been brought in by Network Rail and motorway sections on the M1 and M18 have been closed.
High winds led to the drivers' deaths in Berkshire, Shropshire and North Yorkshire, and a woman was killed by a toppled wall in Greater Manchester. High winds led to road deaths in Berkshire, Shropshire and North Yorkshire, and a woman was killed by a toppled wall in Greater Manchester.
The managing director of Birmingham Airport, Richard Heard, 49, died after a branch fell on his car on the B4373 Bridgnorth to Broseley road.The managing director of Birmingham Airport, Richard Heard, 49, died after a branch fell on his car on the B4373 Bridgnorth to Broseley road.
HAVE YOUR SAY We can see parked cars moving in the wind and lamp posts swaying Myra Davis, Swansea Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY We can see parked cars moving in the wind and lamp posts swaying Myra Davis, Swansea Send us your comments
A male passenger in a Ford Fiesta was killed when a tree fell on the car in Streatley, Berkshire.A male passenger in a Ford Fiesta was killed when a tree fell on the car in Streatley, Berkshire.
And a lorry driver died when his vehicle left the road and overturned in high winds on the A629 Skipton western bypass in North Yorkshire.And a lorry driver died when his vehicle left the road and overturned in high winds on the A629 Skipton western bypass in North Yorkshire.
In Stockport, Greater Manchester, a woman in her 60s was crushed to death when a wall toppled onto her in high winds.In Stockport, Greater Manchester, a woman in her 60s was crushed to death when a wall toppled onto her in high winds.
The weather has been causing problems elsewhere in the country, including:The weather has been causing problems elsewhere in the country, including:
  • Some 25,000 people have been left without power in an area from Oxford to Poole and Chichester
  • Some 25,000 people have been left without power in an area from Oxford to Poole and Chichester
  • Lord's Cricket Ground in London was left strewn with debris after winds damaged its roof
  • Lord's Cricket Ground in London was left strewn with debris after winds damaged its roof
  • In Kent, police warned of possible power cuts and the port of Dover, the M25 Dartford river crossing and the Sheppey Crossing were all shut
  • In Kent, police warned of possible power cuts and the port of Dover, the M25 Dartford river crossing and the Sheppey Crossing were all shut
  • There was snow and ice in County Durham, where part of the A68 at Tow Law was closed for a short time after lorries and cars skidded into ditches
  • There was snow and ice in County Durham, where part of the A68 at Tow Law was closed for a short time after lorries and cars skidded into ditches
  • Strong winds have brought down part of a roof onto a busy shopping street in Hereford city centre
  • Strong winds have brought down part of a roof onto a busy shopping street in Hereford city centre
  • A British container ship sank in the English Channel 40 to 50 miles (65 to 80km) off the Cornwall coast. All 26 crew of the MSC Napoli had abandoned ship to a lifeboat.
  • Twenty-six mariners have been rescued from a damaged British container ship in the English Channel 50 miles (80km) off the Lizard in Cornwall.
    • A tree came down on Embankment in central LondonA tree came down on Embankment in central London
    On the roads, blown over lorries closed the M1 between junctions 29 and 30 in South Yorkshire.On the roads, blown over lorries closed the M1 between junctions 29 and 30 in South Yorkshire.
    Elsewhere, the M18 has been closed between junctions 4 and 7 northbound and junctions 6 and 7 southbound.Elsewhere, the M18 has been closed between junctions 4 and 7 northbound and junctions 6 and 7 southbound.
    Train operators One and GNER are operating a revised and reduced timetable on the East Coast Mainline.Train operators One and GNER are operating a revised and reduced timetable on the East Coast Mainline.
    Cold snapCold snap
    Forecasters said wind speeds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, would pick up throughout the day, reaching 60 to 70mph in some parts and 80mph on high ground.Forecasters said wind speeds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, would pick up throughout the day, reaching 60 to 70mph in some parts and 80mph on high ground.
    Scotland has seen its first major snowfalls of the yearScotland has seen its first major snowfalls of the year
    South and west facing coastlines were expected to bear the brunt of the storms.South and west facing coastlines were expected to bear the brunt of the storms.
    Central Scotland Police said several cars became stuck in snow on the A809 near Killearn, while Strathclyde has seen snow on the M74 south of Hamilton, Lanarkshire.Central Scotland Police said several cars became stuck in snow on the A809 near Killearn, while Strathclyde has seen snow on the M74 south of Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
    The Highways Agency has advised all motorists to take extra care and to plan their routes in advance.The Highways Agency has advised all motorists to take extra care and to plan their routes in advance.
    Friday is expected to be calmer but the country could be facing a cold snap next week.Friday is expected to be calmer but the country could be facing a cold snap next week.
    Despite an unusually mild start to January, forecasters have warned that temperatures are likely to plummet beyond the weekend.Despite an unusually mild start to January, forecasters have warned that temperatures are likely to plummet beyond the weekend.