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Storm brings flood warnings and travel disruption Storm brings flood warnings and travel disruption
(35 minutes later)
Transport Scotland has told people to avoid travelling on the roads and Network Rail has shut down all train services.Transport Scotland has told people to avoid travelling on the roads and Network Rail has shut down all train services.
The rest of the UK is braced as the storm, with 100mph winds, is expected to move south.The rest of the UK is braced as the storm, with 100mph winds, is expected to move south.
Communities on England's east coast are being told to prepare later for the most serious tidal surge for 30 years.Communities on England's east coast are being told to prepare later for the most serious tidal surge for 30 years.
The Environment Agency expects 3,000 properties to be flooded within the next 24 hours.The Environment Agency expects 3,000 properties to be flooded within the next 24 hours.
A lorry driver has died after his HGV was blown on top of two cars in West Lothian.
Police in Scotland warned motorists of ongoing incidents due to fallen trees, flash flooding, overturned HGVs and minor road crashes.Police in Scotland warned motorists of ongoing incidents due to fallen trees, flash flooding, overturned HGVs and minor road crashes.
BBC weather presenter Matt Taylor explained that "storm surges" are expected later.BBC weather presenter Matt Taylor explained that "storm surges" are expected later.
He said surges begin when a rising area of low pressure takes pressure off the surface of the sea, allowing it "bulge" upwards.He said surges begin when a rising area of low pressure takes pressure off the surface of the sea, allowing it "bulge" upwards.
"Then, as that pulls away, you get the very strong winds on the back edge of the low pressure and then that shoves that bulge of high sea levels down through the North Sea," he said."Then, as that pulls away, you get the very strong winds on the back edge of the low pressure and then that shoves that bulge of high sea levels down through the North Sea," he said.
The Environment Agency said the North Sea coast from Northumberland to the Thames Estuary was at risk.The Environment Agency said the North Sea coast from Northumberland to the Thames Estuary was at risk.
In some places sea levels could be as high as those during the devastating floods of 1953 - although flood defences built since then meant many parts of the country were now better protected, it added.In some places sea levels could be as high as those during the devastating floods of 1953 - although flood defences built since then meant many parts of the country were now better protected, it added.
Flood preparationsFlood preparations
The agency has more than 100 flood warnings and alerts in place, including 18 severe alerts for the East Anglia region - indicating danger to life.The agency has more than 100 flood warnings and alerts in place, including 18 severe alerts for the East Anglia region - indicating danger to life.
Those likely to be affected include West Mersea in Essex, Southwold and Thorpeness in Suffolk, the Riverside Business park in Lowestoft, Suffolk, and along the Bure and Yare rivers in Great Yarmouth.Those likely to be affected include West Mersea in Essex, Southwold and Thorpeness in Suffolk, the Riverside Business park in Lowestoft, Suffolk, and along the Bure and Yare rivers in Great Yarmouth.
Environment Agency flood risk manager Pete Fox told BBC Breakfast that people in these coastal areas need to think about taking action to prepare themselves now.Environment Agency flood risk manager Pete Fox told BBC Breakfast that people in these coastal areas need to think about taking action to prepare themselves now.
He said: "The most important thing actually is that along the East Coast, the high tide will be hitting in the hours of darkness this evening and tonight so people really need to take the daylight hours today to prepare for the coastal and tidal flooding that we're predicting.He said: "The most important thing actually is that along the East Coast, the high tide will be hitting in the hours of darkness this evening and tonight so people really need to take the daylight hours today to prepare for the coastal and tidal flooding that we're predicting.
"We've been working with the emergency services for the last 24 hours or so gearing up for this event.""We've been working with the emergency services for the last 24 hours or so gearing up for this event."
The Thames Barrier is due to close on Thursday night to protect London from floods. Police in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are on alert to help the Environment Agency in an emergency period expected to last about 36 hours.
Norfolk's deputy Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: "A multi-agency co-ordinating group has been convened twice to ensure appropriate plans and resources are in place.
"The group is planning for potential disruption for a prolonged period of up to 36 hours and households in those affected areas should be mindful of this."
Other areas and services affected include:Other areas and services affected include:
Snow warningSnow warning
In Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 11 flood warnings for Central; Edinburgh and Lothians; Fife; and Skye and Lochaber.In Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 11 flood warnings for Central; Edinburgh and Lothians; Fife; and Skye and Lochaber.
The Met Office has recorded gusts of 106mph at Glenogle in Stirlingshire and 114mph on the slopes of Aonach Mor near Fort William.The Met Office has recorded gusts of 106mph at Glenogle in Stirlingshire and 114mph on the slopes of Aonach Mor near Fort William.
Regions under the Met Office's amber "be prepared" warning are Central, Tayside and Fife; East Midlands; East of England; Grampian; Highlands and Eilean Siar; North East England; North West England; Orkney and Shetland; South West Scotland, Lothian and Borders; Strathclyde; and Yorkshire and Humber.Regions under the Met Office's amber "be prepared" warning are Central, Tayside and Fife; East Midlands; East of England; Grampian; Highlands and Eilean Siar; North East England; North West England; Orkney and Shetland; South West Scotland, Lothian and Borders; Strathclyde; and Yorkshire and Humber.
This warning indicates likely travel delays from road and rail closures, power cuts and damage to properties.This warning indicates likely travel delays from road and rail closures, power cuts and damage to properties.
London and South East England; Northern Ireland; Wales; and West Midlands have been placed under a yellow warning.London and South East England; Northern Ireland; Wales; and West Midlands have been placed under a yellow warning.
This tells people in the area to be aware of the possibility of severe weather and to expect some disruption to their activities and travel plans.This tells people in the area to be aware of the possibility of severe weather and to expect some disruption to their activities and travel plans.
Forecasters say snow is likely to fall in the north of Scotland on Thursday, up to 5cm deep on low ground with 20cm possible on higher ground.Forecasters say snow is likely to fall in the north of Scotland on Thursday, up to 5cm deep on low ground with 20cm possible on higher ground.
Tallest building
A major traffic route into Leeds city centre is closed following warnings of high winds.
The road is the main route into the city from the south and is used every morning by thousands of vehicles.
It passes Yorkshire's tallest building - the Bridgewater Place tower - which a coroner ruled this week can influence wind conditions.
She recommended the junction beneath the skyscraper should be shut to all road users when wind speeds reach 45mph or more.
Conditions across the UK are expected to have improved by the weekend.Conditions across the UK are expected to have improved by the weekend.
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