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Madeira Britons told stay inside Madeira Britons told stay inside
(30 minutes later)
British tourists are being advised to stay indoors for their own safety on the Portuguese island of Madeira, where floods have killed at least 38 people.British tourists are being advised to stay indoors for their own safety on the Portuguese island of Madeira, where floods have killed at least 38 people.
The city of Funchal was among the areas worst affected by Saturday's floods and mudslides.The city of Funchal was among the areas worst affected by Saturday's floods and mudslides.
Eyewitnesses told the BBC roads had turned into rivers and the streets were littered with boulders and trees.Eyewitnesses told the BBC roads had turned into rivers and the streets were littered with boulders and trees.
The Foreign Office said it had no reports of British casualties or injuries on the Atlantic island. The Foreign Office said it had no reports of British casualties on the Atlantic island.
A spokesman for travel watchdog Abta said: "There are British holidaymakers on Madeira. We don't know how many at the moment but we do not believe it is a large amount.A spokesman for travel watchdog Abta said: "There are British holidaymakers on Madeira. We don't know how many at the moment but we do not believe it is a large amount.
"They are being advised to stay in their hotels. Representatives from tour operators are in the process of trying to visit them.""They are being advised to stay in their hotels. Representatives from tour operators are in the process of trying to visit them."
There was currently no plan to move the tourists off the island, the spokesman added.There was currently no plan to move the tourists off the island, the spokesman added.
'Really wild''Really wild'
Mark Costa told the BBC on Sunday morning that he was being evacuated from his Funchal apartment because there was no electricity or running water.Mark Costa told the BBC on Sunday morning that he was being evacuated from his Funchal apartment because there was no electricity or running water.
People are walking about in the debris, just gasping at it Mark CostaPeople are walking about in the debris, just gasping at it Mark Costa
The 30-year-old, from Bicester, Oxfordshire, who travelled to Madeira with his Portuguese parents to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, said most of the water had now drained into the river but the roads were covered in mud and debris. The 30-year-old, from Bicester, Oxfordshire, who travelled to Madeira with his Portuguese parents to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary, said most of the water had now drained into the rivers but the roads were covered in mud and debris.
"Looking out of the window, they have diverted the water back into the river," he said."Looking out of the window, they have diverted the water back into the river," he said.
"People are walking about in the debris, just gasping at it. ""People are walking about in the debris, just gasping at it. "
He said Friday had been a "glorious" day but the rain had started on Saturday.He said Friday had been a "glorious" day but the rain had started on Saturday.
"We watched the river getting higher and higher. Some of the bridges have collapsed," he said."We watched the river getting higher and higher. Some of the bridges have collapsed," he said.
He and his parents were setting off through the "muddy streets" with their suitcases, towards the uphill section of town, in the hope of finding a cab to take them to another apartment.He and his parents were setting off through the "muddy streets" with their suitcases, towards the uphill section of town, in the hope of finding a cab to take them to another apartment.
Southern devastationSouthern devastation
Mark Gregory lives in Porto da Cruz, which is 30 minutes away from Funchal on the north-east coast. He told the BBC the devastation appeared confined to the south of the island.Mark Gregory lives in Porto da Cruz, which is 30 minutes away from Funchal on the north-east coast. He told the BBC the devastation appeared confined to the south of the island.
"We experienced no more than heavy showers here. But when we ventured out this morning, as soon as we came out of the tunnel on the south side we were absolutely battered by the rain," he said."We experienced no more than heavy showers here. But when we ventured out this morning, as soon as we came out of the tunnel on the south side we were absolutely battered by the rain," he said.
"Drain covers were popping up and the roads were beginning to resemble rivers."
Another Briton, Sue Overell, in Funchal, said: "The sea has been really rough with the waves washing over the pool area.
One of the staff here said that in 46 years he had never seen seas like it or winds like it Margaret BeckettFormer foreign secretaryOne of the staff here said that in 46 years he had never seen seas like it or winds like it Margaret BeckettFormer foreign secretary
"All the hotel staff [are] really concerned - obviously very unused to such high winds and rain at this time of year." "Drain covers were popping up and the roads were beginning to resemble rivers."
Former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett, also staying on the island, said the weather had been "really wild". Former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett, who is staying on the island, said the weather had been "really wild".
"One of the staff here said that in 46 years working in the same place he had never seen seas like it or winds like it, so it obviously has been quite exceptional," she said."One of the staff here said that in 46 years working in the same place he had never seen seas like it or winds like it, so it obviously has been quite exceptional," she said.
Television pictures have showed muddy torrents coursing down narrow channels and spilling over the sides, roads awash with water and streets littered with debris. In the UK, families are struggling to contact their relatives in Madeira as many of the phone networks are down.
Trees have been brought down and cars swept away, blocking roads and hampering relief teams. Some bridges and roads have been washed away. Martin Hellier, from Yeovil, has been trying to contact his parents who live 20 miles (32km) west of Funchal in Ponta Do Sol.
Portuguese PM Jose Socrates has arrived in Madeira to assess the damage. He told the BBC: "We haven't heard from them. We think it's because they cannot get to a working phone but your concerns grow.
Portugal's armed forces are sending two ships with helicopters and medical supplies to the island, where many residents are now without water and electricity. "Where were they when it all happened? Hopefully they are just sitting it out."
In Jersey, prayers were said for the people of Funchal, which has signed a twinning agreement with the Channel island's capital St Helier.
There has been widespread damage along the south coast of Madeira, with roads blocked, phone lines down and many people without water and electricity.
Portugal's Prime Minister Jose Socrates, who visited the island, said he was appalled by the destruction and promised all necessary help.
A naval frigate, with a helicopter and medical equipment, has departed for Madeira - which is located about 900km (560 miles) from the Portuguese mainland and is popular with foreign tourists.