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Lethal storm brings flood fears and travel disruption Lethal storm and tidal surge sees thousands out of homes
(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. Thousands of people are being evacuated from their homes as a severe storm batters large parts of the UK.
The rest of the UK is also braced as the storm, with winds of up to 100mph, moves south. A lorry driver has died after his vehicle was blown on top of two cars in West Lothian by high winds which swept across Scotland.
Thousands of homes are being evacuated as England's east coast prepares for the worst tidal surge in 60 years. In Wales, lifeboat crews rescued residents from flooded homes while England's east coast prepares for the worst tidal surge in 60 years.
The Environment Agency has more than 30 severe flood warnings in place.
In Great Yarmouth, on the Norfolk coast, police are visiting 9,000 homes to advise people to leave their homes ahead of a storm surge expected at high tide, at 22:45 GMT.
Respite centres have been opened in high schools and the ill and elderly people have been asked to call the council for help. In addition, 20,000 sandbags have been distributed.
Elsewhere, two inshore lifeboats are helping evacuate residents from flooded bungalows in Rhyl, Denbighshire.Elsewhere, two inshore lifeboats are helping evacuate residents from flooded bungalows in Rhyl, Denbighshire.
The Environment Agency has 28 severe flood warnings in place in Wales and the east of England - meaning residents should be prepared for flooding and there could be a danger to life.
The BBC's Dafydd Evans, who is in Rhyl, says he can see cars are underwater and around 300 homes flooded in the town.The BBC's Dafydd Evans, who is in Rhyl, says he can see cars are underwater and around 300 homes flooded in the town.
An agency spokesman said that in the "worst-case scenario" 6,000 UK properties could be flooded. An Environment Agency spokesman said that in the "worst-case scenario" 6,000 UK properties could be flooded.
In Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, around 9,000 properties are being visited by police officers and staff over the next few hours to advise on plans for imminent evacuation. In addition to 30 severe alerts - meaning there could be a danger to life - the agency has more than 150 flood warnings and alerts in place.
Firefighters are evacuating 2,500 homes in Jaywick, near Clapton-on-Sea in Essex.
Essex's Chief Fire Officer David Johnson said waves are expected to reach half a metre over the sea wall.
He told BBC Essex: "We cannot force people to leave their homes but our advice would be for people to start leaving now."
Cobra meeting
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted that he was ensuring all government departments and agencies were doing "all they can to help with [the] storm".Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted that he was ensuring all government departments and agencies were doing "all they can to help with [the] storm".
The environment secretary, Owen Paterson - who chaired an emergency Cobra meeting on Thursday morning and is expected to hold another later - urged people "to pay close attention to announcements by the Environment Agency". Environment Secretary Owen Paterson - who chaired an emergency Cobra meeting on Thursday morning and is nowholding another - urged people "to pay close attention to announcements by the Environment Agency".
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.
Transport Scotland has told people to avoid travelling on the roads, while some rail services have resumed after the entire Scottish network was shut.Transport Scotland has told people to avoid travelling on the roads, while some rail services have resumed after the entire Scottish network was shut.
Other areas and services affected include:Other areas and services affected include:
BBC weather presenter Matt Taylor explained that "storm surges" are expected later. The storm has also brought disruption to parts of northern Europe.
He said surges begin when a rising area of low pressure takes pressure off the surface of the sea, allowing it "bulge" upwards. Dutch airline KLM cancelled 84 continental flights from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, while around 20 were cancelled at Hamburg airport
Also, in the Netherlands - where 27% of the country lies below sea-level - the landmark Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier has been closed off for the first time in six years
BBC weather presenter Matt Taylor explained that "storm 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 evacuations
Firefighters are evacuating 2,500 homes in Jaywick, near Clapton-on-Sea in Essex.
Essex's Chief Fire Officer David Johnson said waves are expected to reach half a metre over the sea wall.
He told BBC Essex: "We cannot force people to leave their homes but our advice would be for people to start leaving now."
Meanwhile Norfolk Police are visiting households likely to be affected by flooding and currently plan to evacuate 600 homes.
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 addition to 28 severe alerts, the agency has more than 100 flood warnings and alerts in place,.
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.
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."
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.
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, the Environment Agency said.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, the Environment Agency said.
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.
Areas included in 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.Areas included in 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.
(See latest updates from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency)(See latest updates from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency)
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.
Airlines at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports have cancelled a number of flights, while passengers at Leeds Bradford Airport have been warned to expect delays.Airlines at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports have 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.
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