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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. England's east coast is experiencing the worst tidal surge in 60 years, while in north Wales, residents had to be rescued by lifeboat crews.
In north Wales, lifeboat crews rescued residents from flooded homes while England's east coast is seeing the worst tidal surge in 60 years. A lorry driver died after his vehicle was blown onto two cars in West Lothian, while another man was killed by a falling tree in Nottinghamshire.
The Environment Agency has more than 55 severe flood warnings in place.The Environment Agency has more than 55 severe flood warnings in place.
It confirmed to the BBC the North Sea tidal surge is the worst since January 1953, although flood defences built since then meant many parts of the country were now better protected, the agency said. It confirmed to the BBC the North Sea tidal surge is the worst since January 1953, although flood defences built since then meant many parts of the country were now better protected.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson - who chaired two of the government's emergency Cobra meetings on Thursday - said the Armed Forces were on standby to help if necessary.Environment Secretary Owen Paterson - who chaired two of the government's emergency Cobra meetings on Thursday - said the Armed Forces were on standby to help if necessary.
In Gorleston, in Norfolk, the Army is reportedly helping to erect temporary flood barriers.
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 breached the town's sea defences, leading to the closure of several streets and the evacuation of vulnerable people.
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.
More than 1,000 sand bags have been handed out in Aldeburgh, Suffolk in preparation for the tidal surge. A minibus is collecting people in vulnerable areas and taking them to a rest centre.More than 1,000 sand bags have been handed out in Aldeburgh, Suffolk in preparation for the tidal surge. A minibus is collecting people in vulnerable areas and taking them to a rest centre.
Elsewhere, about 400 people were told to leave their homes in Rhyl, Denbighshire, while police say 300 people have been urged to find safety in Port Clarence, Middlesbrough.Elsewhere, about 400 people were told to leave their homes in Rhyl, Denbighshire, while police say 300 people have been urged to find safety in Port Clarence, Middlesbrough.
The storm has hit north Wales, where there has been flooding in coastal areasThe storm has hit north Wales, where there has been flooding in coastal areas
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 55 severe flood warnings - meaning there could be a danger to life - the agency has nearly 120 flood warnings in place.In addition to more than 55 severe flood warnings - meaning there could be a danger to life - the agency has nearly 120 flood warnings in place.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 15 flood warnings.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 15 flood warnings.
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.
Residents in Kent are also being warned of the danger of flooding. Residents in Kent are also being warned of the danger of flooding. In Seasalter 70 properties have been evacuated as well as 200 in Faversham ahead of expected flooding in the early hours of Friday.
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, leaving at least four people dead or missing.The storm has also brought disruption to parts of northern Europe, leaving at least four people dead or missing.
Dutch airline KLM cancelled 84 continental flights from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, while around 20 were cancelled at Hamburg airport Dutch airline KLM cancelled 84 continental flights from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, while around 20 were cancelled at Hamburg airport.
One of Europe's longest bridges - connecting Sweden to Denmark - is closed.One of Europe's longest bridges - connecting Sweden to Denmark - is closed.
Storm forces thousands from homes
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 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.
Conditions across the UK are expected to have improved by the weekend.Conditions across the UK are expected to have improved by the weekend.
(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)
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