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From frosts to floods – UK prepares for stormy weather From frosts to floods – UK prepares for stormy weather
(4 months later)
Parts of Britain are on flood alert yet again after heavy rain and strong winds swept the country.Parts of Britain are on flood alert yet again after heavy rain and strong winds swept the country.
The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for the south-west and much of the north of England, together with areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland.The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for the south-west and much of the north of England, together with areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
By Friday morning, the Environment Agency had issued 14 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected. Nine of them were in the south-west, two in Wales and three in the south-east. More than 60 alerts – flooding possible – had also been issued.By Friday morning, the Environment Agency had issued 14 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected. Nine of them were in the south-west, two in Wales and three in the south-east. More than 60 alerts – flooding possible – had also been issued.
The Met Office said the heaviest rain overnight fell on Devon and Cornwall with 15mm drenching Plymouth and 14mm hitting Bodmin. Winds of almost 60mph (95kph) were recorded at Berry Head in Devon and 40mph gusts blasted Portland in Dorset.The Met Office said the heaviest rain overnight fell on Devon and Cornwall with 15mm drenching Plymouth and 14mm hitting Bodmin. Winds of almost 60mph (95kph) were recorded at Berry Head in Devon and 40mph gusts blasted Portland in Dorset.
Even stronger winds were predicted later on Friday – up to 80mph in Orkney, northern Scotland, and 50mph gusts across much of the country. Blizzards could also cause problems on higher ground.Even stronger winds were predicted later on Friday – up to 80mph in Orkney, northern Scotland, and 50mph gusts across much of the country. Blizzards could also cause problems on higher ground.
The Environment Agency is concerned that areas where the ground remains saturated after last month's downpours are at particular risk of flooding. But it is also worried that coastal areas could flood because the latest deluge is coinciding with high tides.The Environment Agency is concerned that areas where the ground remains saturated after last month's downpours are at particular risk of flooding. But it is also worried that coastal areas could flood because the latest deluge is coinciding with high tides.
Nick Roseveare, of the Environment Agency, said: "We are keeping a close eye on conditions around our coastline and will issue flood warnings if the risk of flooding increases.Nick Roseveare, of the Environment Agency, said: "We are keeping a close eye on conditions around our coastline and will issue flood warnings if the risk of flooding increases.
"The critical periods will be the early morning tides over the next three days. If they coincide with rain, there's a risk of tide-locking, where water is held in rain-swollen rivers and cannot escape into the sea because of the high tides. This could result in localised flooding.""The critical periods will be the early morning tides over the next three days. If they coincide with rain, there's a risk of tide-locking, where water is held in rain-swollen rivers and cannot escape into the sea because of the high tides. This could result in localised flooding."
People have been advised to stay away from seafronts, quaysides and jetties along the south coast to avoid powerful waves.People have been advised to stay away from seafronts, quaysides and jetties along the south coast to avoid powerful waves.
Among the areas subject to flood warnings were some seafront properties in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, Poole harbour in Dorset, and estuaries in south Devon. Part of Kingsbridge town centre, in south Devon, was flooded at high tide on Friday morning. There was also more misery for some residents on the Somerset Levels, which have been hit by a series of floods this year.Among the areas subject to flood warnings were some seafront properties in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, Poole harbour in Dorset, and estuaries in south Devon. Part of Kingsbridge town centre, in south Devon, was flooded at high tide on Friday morning. There was also more misery for some residents on the Somerset Levels, which have been hit by a series of floods this year.
The high seas meant disruption for rail passengers in Devon after the line at Dawlish flooded. First Great Western was warning on Friday morning of delays of up to two hours.The high seas meant disruption for rail passengers in Devon after the line at Dawlish flooded. First Great Western was warning on Friday morning of delays of up to two hours.
But it was not all about rain. In West Yorkshire on Friday morning, drivers were warned to take extra care after a high number of collisions were caused by vehicles skidding on black ice. Sections of the M1, A1, M62 and M606 were clogged after a series of crashes.But it was not all about rain. In West Yorkshire on Friday morning, drivers were warned to take extra care after a high number of collisions were caused by vehicles skidding on black ice. Sections of the M1, A1, M62 and M606 were clogged after a series of crashes.
A West Yorkshire police spokesman said the force was asking people to take "extreme care" when travelling.A West Yorkshire police spokesman said the force was asking people to take "extreme care" when travelling.
"West Yorkshire police have received an exceptionally high amount of road traffic collisions throughout the early hours of the day, mainly on each of the major motorway networks due to vehicles skidding on black ice.""West Yorkshire police have received an exceptionally high amount of road traffic collisions throughout the early hours of the day, mainly on each of the major motorway networks due to vehicles skidding on black ice."
There were no reports of serious injuries.There were no reports of serious injuries.
The weekend is expected to be a little more cheerful. It is still likely to be breezy but there should be bright spells for much of the UK.The weekend is expected to be a little more cheerful. It is still likely to be breezy but there should be bright spells for much of the UK.
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