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-25220224

The article has changed 39 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Lethal storm brings flood fears and travel disruption Lethal storm brings flood fears and travel disruption
(35 minutes later)
A lorry driver has died after his vehicle was blown on top of two cars in West Lothian by high winds which have swept across Scotland.A lorry driver has died after his vehicle was blown on top of two cars in West Lothian by high winds which have swept across Scotland.
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, moves south.The rest of the UK is braced as the storm, with 100mph winds, moves south.
500 Essex homes have been evacuated as England's east coast prepares for the most serious tidal surge in 30 years. 2,500 Essex homes have been evacuated as England's east coast prepares for the worst tidal surge in 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.
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.
Other areas and services affected include:Other areas and services affected include:
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.
Flood preparationsFlood preparations
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.
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."
Police in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are on alert to help the Environment Agency in an emergency period expected to last about 36 hours.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.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.""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."
Any households directly affected will be contacted in person by Norfolk police.Any households directly affected will be contacted in person by Norfolk police.
Wildlife wardens in Lincolnshire are preparing to protect seal pups from high tides after dozens died in a tidal surge two years ago.Wildlife wardens in Lincolnshire are preparing to protect seal pups from high tides after dozens died in a tidal surge two years ago.
Flights cancelledFlights cancelled
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.
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports have all cancelled a number of flights, while passengers at Leeds Bradford airport have been warned to expect delays.Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports have all cancelled a number of flights, while passengers at Leeds Bradford airport have been warned to expect delays.
Conditions across the UK are expected to have improved by the weekend.Conditions across the UK are expected to have improved by the weekend.
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 conditionsRead the terms and conditions