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High winds forecast as storms hit 100mph storm winds batter south
(about 2 hours later)
Winds of up to 80mph (129km/h) are forecast to hit Wales and southern England after storms caused flooding and damage in parts of Britain. Winds of up to 100mph (160km/h) have battered parts of the UK as a storm moves across the south coast of England.
Fire services have been dealing with localised floods and car rescues, and weather and flood warnings remain in place in many parts of the country. The figure was recorded at The Needles on the Isle of Wight, while Southampton was hit by winds of 59mph (94km/h).
Trees and power lines have been brought down in Somerset, which has been battered by high winds and heavy rain. A squally weather front is moving east with winds dying down behind that. Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to Kent are worst affected.
The Met Office predicts calmer weather on Sunday ahead of more storms. Dover port was closed on Saturday afternoon due to the high winds.
In Somerset, severe weather warnings have been issued and the Environment Agency has put flood warnings in place on the River Parrett and River Isle. BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said: "It's worth pointing out that winds are usually strong at The Needles but that's nevertheless a beast of a gust."
Trapped in cars Residents evacuated
Fire crews were also called to Cannington on Friday where part of a flat felt roof was ripped off, bringing down power and phone lines. West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service dealt with two reported lightning strikes in Horsham and Crawley.
But tidal flooding along the south coast has not been as serious as feared. Storm winds have caused damage across southern England class="" 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 class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/8358363.stm">Homes flood amid weather warning class="" href="/2/hi/europe/guernsey/8359071.stm">Unit shut after ceiling collapse
It's very early days in the flood season and that means the ground hasn't fully saturated everywhere yet Guy Parker, flood manager, Environment Agency class="" 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 class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/england/8358363.stm">Homes flood amid weather warning class="" href="/2/hi/europe/guernsey/8359071.stm">Unit shut after ceiling collapse Firefighters took down a "dangerous" kebab shop sign which had become dislodged by strong winds in Gravesend, Kent.
Very strong winds have affected south-west England and south Wales and will move eastwards during the morning. Crews in East Sussex went to Hove railway station after roof sheeting became detached.
Environment Agency flood manager Guy Parker said there had not yet been any serious flooding. There were also calls reporting roof tiles and "for sale" signs being ripped up in Brighton and Bexhill.
"There's a tidal event which is predominantly hitting the south coast - and a little bit in Wales - and there are a number of showers, very heavy in some locations," he said. Residents were evacuated while firefighters made safe nines houses damaged by wind in Benfleet, Essex.
"It's very early days in the flood season and that means the ground hasn't fully saturated everywhere yet, so there's still some capacity in the ground to absorb flood water." The Environment Agency has 26 flood warnings in place in England and Wales, 18 of them in the southern region.
Tree fire
On Friday fire crews were called to Cannington, Somerset, where part of a flat felt roof was ripped off, bringing down power and phone lines.
In Haywards Heath, West Sussex, people had to be rescued from four units on an industrial estate after being flooded by about 2ft (60cm) of water.In Haywards Heath, West Sussex, people had to be rescued from four units on an industrial estate after being flooded by about 2ft (60cm) of water.
The service said it had dealt with nearly 40 weather-related calls in the Haywards Heath area on Friday, and near Crawley a tree caught fire after being brought down on to power lines. STRONGEST WIND GUSTS The Needles: 100mph (160km/h)Solent: 75mph (120 km/h)Dover: 64mph (102 km/h)Plymouth: 64mph (102 km/h)Gravesend: 50mph (80 km/h)Heathrow: 47mph (75 km/h) Source: BBC Weather Centre
Flood warnings The fire service said it had dealt with nearly 40 weather-related calls in the Haywards Heath area, and near Crawley a tree caught fire after being brought down on to power lines.
Firefighters in mid and west Wales said they had attended 141 calls. Pembrokeshire was hardest hit by widespread flooding of its road network, trapping a number of people in their cars.Firefighters in mid and west Wales said they had attended 141 calls. Pembrokeshire was hardest hit by widespread flooding of its road network, trapping a number of people in their cars.
One woman was rescued after being stranded by floodwater at Milford Haven and in Haverfordwest 12 people were rescued from a coach. A woman was rescued after being stranded by floodwater at Milford Haven and in Haverfordwest 12 people were rescued from a coach.
Other developments on Friday included travel problems with UK-France ferry services. Other developments on Friday included travel problems ferry services between the UK and France.
By 1210 GMT on Saturday, the Environment Agency still had 26 flood warnings - 18 in southern England, four in south-west England and two each in Wales and the Midlands. Tomasz Schafernaker with the latest weather
There are also 96 lower "flood watch" alerts across England and Wales and 14 in Scotland from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Further updates are available on the BBC Weather website.Further updates are available on the BBC Weather website.
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