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Lethal storm and tidal surge sees thousands out of homes Lethal storm and tidal surge sees thousands out of homes
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of people are being evacuated from their homes as a severe storm batters large parts of the UK.Thousands of people are being evacuated from their homes as a severe storm batters large parts of the UK.
A lorry driver died after his vehicle was blown on top of two cars in West Lothian, while another man was killed by a falling tree in Nottinghamshire.A lorry driver died after his vehicle was blown on top of two cars in West Lothian, while another man was killed by a falling tree in Nottinghamshire.
In north Wales, lifeboat crews rescued residents from flooded homes while England's east coast prepares for the worst tidal surge in 60 years. In north Wales, lifeboat crews rescued residents from flooded home while England's east coast is seeing the worst tidal surge in 60 years.
The Environment Agency has more than 50 severe flood warnings in place.The Environment Agency has more than 50 severe flood warnings in place.
It confirmed to the BBC the North Sea tidal surge is the worst since January 1953.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson - who chaired two of the government's emergency Cobra meetings on Thursday - says the Armed Forces are on standby to help if necessary.Environment Secretary Owen Paterson - who chaired two of the government's emergency Cobra meetings on Thursday - says the Armed Forces are on standby to help if necessary.
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.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.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 helped rescue 25 residents and six dogs from flooded bungalows in Rhyl, Denbighshire, while police say 300 homes have been evacuated in Port Clarence, Middlesbrough.Elsewhere, two inshore lifeboats helped rescue 25 residents and six dogs from flooded bungalows in Rhyl, Denbighshire, while police say 300 homes have been evacuated in Port Clarence, Middlesbrough.
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 Environment Agency spokesman said that in the "worst-case scenario" 6,000 properties in England and Wales could be flooded.An Environment Agency spokesman said that in the "worst-case scenario" 6,000 properties in England and Wales could be flooded.
In addition to more than 50 severe flood warnings - meaning there could be a danger to life - the agency has more than 120 flood warnings in place.In addition to more than 50 severe flood warnings - meaning there could be a danger to life - the agency has more than 120 flood warnings in place.
Firefighters are evacuating 2,500 homes in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, while homes and businesses are also at risk in Suffolk, Norfolk and in Lincolnshire, thousands from coastal areas are being evacuated to Scunthorpe.Firefighters are evacuating 2,500 homes in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, while homes and businesses are also at risk in Suffolk, Norfolk and in Lincolnshire, thousands from coastal areas are being evacuated to Scunthorpe.
In Lincolnshire, emergency planners say up to 18,000 homes in the Boston area could be affected by flooding.In Lincolnshire, emergency planners say up to 18,000 homes in the Boston area could be affected by flooding.
Water is now pouring through the town's sea defences, leading to the closure of several streets and the evacuation of vulnerable people.Water is now pouring through the town's sea defences, leading to the closure of several streets and the evacuation of vulnerable people.
Residents in Kent are also being warned of the danger of flooding.Residents in Kent are also being warned of the danger of flooding.
Cobra meetingCobra 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".
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson also urged people "to pay close attention to announcements by the Environment Agency".Environment Secretary Owen Paterson also urged people "to pay close attention to announcements by the Environment Agency".
Other developments include:Other developments include:
There are several warnings of affected travel, including:There are several warnings of affected travel, including:
The storm has also brought disruption to parts of northern Europe.The storm has also brought disruption to parts of northern Europe.
Dutch airline KLM cancelled 84 continental flights from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, while around 20 were cancelled at Hamburg airportDutch 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 yearsAlso, 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 to "bulge" upwards.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 to "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.
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.
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
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 15 flood warnings.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 15 flood warnings.
The Met Office said there had been severe gales of between 60mph and 80mph across Scotland and northern parts of England, with some mountainous regions in Aberdeenshire and Inverness-shire recording speeds of around 140mph.The Met Office said there had been severe gales of between 60mph and 80mph across Scotland and northern parts of England, with some mountainous regions in Aberdeenshire and Inverness-shire recording speeds of around 140mph.
Areas included in the Met Office's amber "be prepared" warning are Central, Tayside and Fife; East Midlands; East of England; North East England, North West England, Orkney & Shetland, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde, Yorkshire & Humber.Areas included in the Met Office's amber "be prepared" warning are Central, Tayside and Fife; East Midlands; East of England; North East England, North West England, Orkney & Shetland, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde, Yorkshire & 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.
Wales, Northern Ireland and the West Midlands are among those placed under a yellow warning.Wales, Northern Ireland and the West Midlands are among those 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.
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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