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UK facing 'worst storm of year' UK facing 'worst storm of year'
(30 minutes later)
Heavy rain and high winds have caused flooding in parts of southern England, as the year's worst storm is forecast for the start of the weekend.Heavy rain and high winds have caused flooding in parts of southern England, as the year's worst storm is forecast for the start of the weekend.
A severe flood warning is in place for Christchurch Harbour in Dorset, while there have been reports of flooding across southern England.A severe flood warning is in place for Christchurch Harbour in Dorset, while there have been reports of flooding across southern England.
Winds in the south are due to peak at 80mph (129km/h) on Saturday morning.Winds in the south are due to peak at 80mph (129km/h) on Saturday morning.
The Met Office predicts a "brief respite" at the end of the weekend ahead of more storms next week.The Met Office predicts a "brief respite" at the end of the weekend ahead of more storms next week.
In Haywards Heath, West Sussex, people had to be rescued from four units on an industrial estate after floods from about 2ft (60cm) of water.In Haywards Heath, West Sussex, people had to be rescued from four units on an industrial estate after floods from about 2ft (60cm) of water.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service advised people to go up to the first floor of the premises.West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service advised people to go up to the first floor of the premises.
"We have got one of our technical rescue units at the scene and they are going to be moving people out on boats. There are no reports of anyone being hurt," a service spokesman said."We have got one of our technical rescue units at the scene and they are going to be moving people out on boats. There are no reports of anyone being hurt," a service spokesman said.
Other developments include:Other developments include:
  • In west Cornwall, there are reports of water up to 2ft (61cm) deep making some roads impassable. Water is coming over the sea wall at West Promenade in Penzance, flooding the street, while in Padstow several properties are reported to have been affected by flash floods
  • Some SeaFrance crossings from Dover to Calais and LD Lines services to Boulogne suffered delays on Friday. A Port of Dover spokesman warned passengers to expect disruptions
  • Brittany Ferries has cancelled sailings from Plymouth to Roscoff and Poole to Cherbourg, although its services from Portsmouth to the French ports of Caen and St Malo are not affected
  • A windsurfer had to be rescued from "treacherous" conditions after getting into difficulty at Bigbury, near Kingsbridge in south Devon
  • Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, was closed because of flooding and sewage contamination
  • In Guernsey, an activity centre for dementia sufferers at Castel Hospital was closed after heavy rain caused a ceiling collapse
  • In west Cornwall, there are reports of water up to 2ft (61cm) deep making some roads impassable. Water is coming over the sea wall at West Promenade in Penzance, flooding the street, while in Padstow several properties are reported to have been affected by flash floods
  • Some SeaFrance crossings from Dover to Calais and LD Lines services to Boulogne suffered delays on Friday. A Port of Dover spokesman warned passengers to expect disruptions
  • Brittany Ferries has cancelled sailings from Plymouth to Roscoff and Poole to Cherbourg, although its services from Portsmouth to the French ports of Caen and St Malo are not affected
  • A windsurfer had to be rescued from "treacherous" conditions after getting into difficulty at Bigbury, near Kingsbridge in south Devon
  • Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, was closed because of flooding and sewage contamination
  • In Guernsey, an activity centre for dementia sufferers at Castel Hospital was closed after heavy rain caused a ceiling collapse
By 2000 GMT, the Environment Agency had issued one severe flood warning, along with 14 flood warnings - 11 in the South, two in the South West and one in Wales - as well as 65 lower "flood watch" alerts across England and Wales.By 2000 GMT, the Environment Agency had issued one severe flood warning, along with 14 flood warnings - 11 in the South, two in the South West and one in Wales - as well as 65 lower "flood watch" alerts across England and Wales.
The agency and Met Office are warning people living along the coast in Hampshire, West Sussex, Dorset and South Wales of a risk of sea flooding this weekend, due to high tides, strong winds and significant wave heights.The agency and Met Office are warning people living along the coast in Hampshire, West Sussex, Dorset and South Wales of a risk of sea flooding this weekend, due to high tides, strong winds and significant wave heights.
People should move valuables and irreplaceable items such as passports, certificates and wedding photos upstairs and out of the way Councillor David SparksLocal Government Association Heavy rain and gales cause chaos Homes flood amid weather warning Unit shut after ceiling collapse People should move valuables and irreplaceable items such as passports, certificates and wedding photos upstairs and out of the way Councillor David SparksLocal Government Association href="/2/hi/uk_news/wales/wales_politics/8359751.stm">Homes and roads hit by flooding class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8359309.stm">Heavy rain and gales cause chaos Homes flood amid weather warning Unit shut after ceiling collapse
Councillor David Sparks, of the Local Government Association, said: "People living by a river, coastal or flood risk area must be prepared.Councillor David Sparks, of the Local Government Association, said: "People living by a river, coastal or flood risk area must be prepared.
"There are lots of precautions they can take. People should sign up to the Environment Agency's automated warning system, so they get a call the moment there is a risk their home could flood."There are lots of precautions they can take. People should sign up to the Environment Agency's automated warning system, so they get a call the moment there is a risk their home could flood.
"People should also move all their valuables and irreplaceable items such as passports, certificates and wedding photos upstairs and out of the way.""People should also move all their valuables and irreplaceable items such as passports, certificates and wedding photos upstairs and out of the way."
The Met Office said it had recorded gusts of 78mph (125km/h) at Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire, while Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire had witnessed gusts of 68mph (109km/h).The Met Office said it had recorded gusts of 78mph (125km/h) at Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire, while Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire had witnessed gusts of 68mph (109km/h).
Damage fearsDamage fears
Forecasts suggest there could be up to 75mm (3in) of rain on hills of Dartmoor, Exmoor and Wales, while much of the UK will see 25mm (1in).Forecasts suggest there could be up to 75mm (3in) of rain on hills of Dartmoor, Exmoor and Wales, while much of the UK will see 25mm (1in).
BBC forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said the weekend would have a "stormy first half" before quietening down.BBC forecaster Tomasz Schafernaker said the weekend would have a "stormy first half" before quietening down.
The Highways Agency urged drivers to check travel information before setting out on Friday evening and into the night.The Highways Agency urged drivers to check travel information before setting out on Friday evening and into the night.
AA driving expert Mark Peacock said: "Even experienced drivers can be caught out, so it's important to drive more cautiously and allow extra time for your journey."AA driving expert Mark Peacock said: "Even experienced drivers can be caught out, so it's important to drive more cautiously and allow extra time for your journey."
The high winds could cause damage to trees, railway lines and bridges. Air travel could also be disrupted.The high winds could cause damage to trees, railway lines and bridges. Air travel could also be disrupted.
The Met Office website warns: "At this stage, forecasts suggest that there may be a brief respite at the end of the weekend ahead of more unsettled weather into next week."The Met Office website warns: "At this stage, forecasts suggest that there may be a brief respite at the end of the weekend ahead of more unsettled weather into next week."
Further updates are available on the BBC Weather website.Further updates are available on the BBC Weather website.
Have you been affected by the storms? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Have you been affected by the storms? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
You can also send your pictures and video of stormy weather to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can click here to upload.You can also send your pictures and video of stormy weather to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can click here to upload.
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