This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24690552
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| UK braced for severe storm and heavy rain | UK braced for severe storm and heavy rain |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Millions of people in England and Wales have been warned to prepare for heavy rain and hurricane-force winds on Sunday night and Monday. | Millions of people in England and Wales have been warned to prepare for heavy rain and hurricane-force winds on Sunday night and Monday. |
| Gusts of up to 80mph (130km/h) are predicted as the storm hits the South West then moves north and eastwards. | Gusts of up to 80mph (130km/h) are predicted as the storm hits the South West then moves north and eastwards. |
| There are fears of flooding, damage and disruption. One train company has already advised people not to travel. | There are fears of flooding, damage and disruption. One train company has already advised people not to travel. |
| Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted to say he had chaired a discussion on plans to protect people from the storm. | Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted to say he had chaired a discussion on plans to protect people from the storm. |
| In the conference call, joined by staff from organisations including the Met Office and the environment and highways agencies, Mr Cameron heard the storm could have a "widespread impact", his spokesman said. | In the conference call, joined by staff from organisations including the Met Office and the environment and highways agencies, Mr Cameron heard the storm could have a "widespread impact", his spokesman said. |
| But he was told there were plans in place to minimise the effect on public services such as schools, the NHS, transport and power supplies. | But he was told there were plans in place to minimise the effect on public services such as schools, the NHS, transport and power supplies. |
| The Met Office said 20-40mm (0.80-1.6 ins) of rain might fall within six to nine hours in the wettest areas. | The Met Office said 20-40mm (0.80-1.6 ins) of rain might fall within six to nine hours in the wettest areas. |
| It said the predicted storm - named St Jude after the patron saint of depression and lost causes, whose feast day is on Monday - was not one "you would see every year". | It said the predicted storm - named St Jude after the patron saint of depression and lost causes, whose feast day is on Monday - was not one "you would see every year". |
| Travel disruption | Travel disruption |
| Roads, flights and trains are expected to be disrupted and some rail operators have already announced revised timetables. | Roads, flights and trains are expected to be disrupted and some rail operators have already announced revised timetables. |
| South West Trains passengers have been told not to travel on Monday with most services not running until at least 08:00 GMT to allow Network Rail to check the lines. | |
| A reduced timetable will be in operation with journey times extended as some trains run at speeds limited to 50mph in high winds. | A reduced timetable will be in operation with journey times extended as some trains run at speeds limited to 50mph in high winds. |
| Southern and Gatwick Express services will not run until it is declared safe to do so as tracks may have to be cleared, while Greater Anglia is to suspend services on all routes until 09:00 GMT. | Southern and Gatwick Express services will not run until it is declared safe to do so as tracks may have to be cleared, while Greater Anglia is to suspend services on all routes until 09:00 GMT. |
| First Great Western has also warned of extended travelling times and Southeastern says it is likely to start running services later in the morning than usual if the storm is as disruptive as is predicted. | First Great Western has also warned of extended travelling times and Southeastern says it is likely to start running services later in the morning than usual if the storm is as disruptive as is predicted. |
| The Met Office has issued an amber alert for high winds in Wales, the East and West Midlands, the South West, London and the South East and the East of England. | The Met Office has issued an amber alert for high winds in Wales, the East and West Midlands, the South West, London and the South East and the East of England. |
| A yellow alert warning of heavy rain that could lead to surface water flooding and disruption is in place across much of northern Wales and northern England. | A yellow alert warning of heavy rain that could lead to surface water flooding and disruption is in place across much of northern Wales and northern England. |
| An amber warning means "be prepared", while yellow means "be aware". No warnings are currently in place at the top red level, which means "take action". | An amber warning means "be prepared", while yellow means "be aware". No warnings are currently in place at the top red level, which means "take action". |
| The Environment Agency has warned of the possibility of surface water flooding on Monday, but currently assesses it as a "low risk". | The Environment Agency has warned of the possibility of surface water flooding on Monday, but currently assesses it as a "low risk". |
| A spokesman said teams were working to minimise river flood risk, clearing debris from streams and unblocking culverts. | A spokesman said teams were working to minimise river flood risk, clearing debris from streams and unblocking culverts. |
| Water and spray | Water and spray |
| BBC Weather presenter Nick Miller said the storm was in a "developing and deepening" area of low pressure in the Atlantic which developed off the east coast of the US. | BBC Weather presenter Nick Miller said the storm was in a "developing and deepening" area of low pressure in the Atlantic which developed off the east coast of the US. |
| He said there were "still some uncertainties" about how strong the winds would be, but a band of heavy rain across England and Wales would result in standing water and spray during rush hour on Monday. | He said there were "still some uncertainties" about how strong the winds would be, but a band of heavy rain across England and Wales would result in standing water and spray during rush hour on Monday. |
| The storm is expected to reach the South West in the early hours of Monday, and should have moved across the country to the North Sea by lunchtime. | The storm is expected to reach the South West in the early hours of Monday, and should have moved across the country to the North Sea by lunchtime. |
| Northern Ireland and Scotland are expected to be spared the worst of the weather. | Northern Ireland and Scotland are expected to be spared the worst of the weather. |
| High winds have already been reported in some areas, with a wind turbine collapsing in Devon on Saturday night. | High winds have already been reported in some areas, with a wind turbine collapsing in Devon on Saturday night. |
| More than 1,000 homes are without power in Pangbourne, Berkshire, after a falling tree reportedly brought down a power line. | More than 1,000 homes are without power in Pangbourne, Berkshire, after a falling tree reportedly brought down a power line. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| HM Coastguard urged people to take extra care around the coasts, with waves eight or nine metres high expected in some areas. | HM Coastguard urged people to take extra care around the coasts, with waves eight or nine metres high expected in some areas. |
| It said conditions could be "extremely treacherous", especially on cliff tops, and urged people not to put themselves and rescue teams at unnecessary risk. | It said conditions could be "extremely treacherous", especially on cliff tops, and urged people not to put themselves and rescue teams at unnecessary risk. |
| Kelly Oster-Coyle, of the Association of British Insurers, said people should do "small practical things" to prepare for the storm but insurers knows "things will be flying around" in the high winds and will be ready to pay out to customers. | Kelly Oster-Coyle, of the Association of British Insurers, said people should do "small practical things" to prepare for the storm but insurers knows "things will be flying around" in the high winds and will be ready to pay out to customers. |
| Wind speeds of 115 mph were recorded during the so-called Great Storm of October 1987. | Wind speeds of 115 mph were recorded during the so-called Great Storm of October 1987. |
| Forecaster Michael Fish, who famously reassured viewers there was no "hurricane" on the way, said the weather over the coming days would not rival the Great Storm. | Forecaster Michael Fish, who famously reassured viewers there was no "hurricane" on the way, said the weather over the coming days would not rival the Great Storm. |
| He told the BBC News Channel: "Present thoughts are there are three storms it's comparable to - March 2008, January 2007 and October 2000." | He told the BBC News Channel: "Present thoughts are there are three storms it's comparable to - March 2008, January 2007 and October 2000." |
| But he said a repeat of the 1987 storm was "possible". | But he said a repeat of the 1987 storm was "possible". |
| There is more information about the forecasts for Sunday and Monday on the BBC Weather, Met Office and Environment Agency websites. See BBC Travel News for up to date travel information and the Highways Agency and Traffic Wales websites for details about road conditions. BBC Local has information from your area. | There is more information about the forecasts for Sunday and Monday on the BBC Weather, Met Office and Environment Agency websites. See BBC Travel News for up to date travel information and the Highways Agency and Traffic Wales websites for details about road conditions. BBC Local has information from your area. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |