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Wind and rain disrupting Christmas travel in the UK Wind and rain disrupting Christmas travel in the UK
(35 minutes later)
Road, rail and air passengers trying to get away for Christmas are facing disruption as severe weather hits much of the UK.Road, rail and air passengers trying to get away for Christmas are facing disruption as severe weather hits much of the UK.
Train services have been affected, with cancellations and speed restrictions on some lines.Train services have been affected, with cancellations and speed restrictions on some lines.
Ferries have been cancelled and Southampton airport has suspended in and outbound flights due to high winds. Ferries and some flights have been cancelled while thousands of homes have been left without power.
The gale-force gusts have left thousands of homes in Berkshire and south-west England without power. Police in Cumbria, where a man is believed to have fallen into a river, urged people to stay out of the water.
The Met Office issued amber alerts for rain and there are some 24 flood warnings in place. Officers from the local fire service, coastguard, air force and mountain rescue are searching for the man, who is reported to have fallen into the River Rothay at Ambleside.
It comes as the Environment Agency issued a "danger to life" flood warning in Weymouth.
The Met Office has also issued amber alerts for rain across much of southern England and Wales.
The weather has caused power cuts for thousands in Berkshire and south-west England.
The worst hit areas include:The worst hit areas include:
The Met Office has amber warnings for wind now in place for a number of areas on Christmas Eve, including Northern Ireland, the east of England, London and the South East, and north-west Scotland.The Met Office has amber warnings for wind now in place for a number of areas on Christmas Eve, including Northern Ireland, the east of England, London and the South East, and north-west Scotland.
The amber warnings for wind in southern parts of England are valid from midnight to 06:00 GMT and from 16:00 GMT in Scotland.The amber warnings for wind in southern parts of England are valid from midnight to 06:00 GMT and from 16:00 GMT in Scotland.
Gusts could reach 75mph inland and 85mph along exposed coasts in the south of England and up to 90mph in Scotland, the Met Office said.Gusts could reach 75mph inland and 85mph along exposed coasts in the south of England and up to 90mph in Scotland, the Met Office said.
It said the public should be prepared for travel disruption and interruptions to power supplies.It said the public should be prepared for travel disruption and interruptions to power supplies.
And there are also amber warnings for rain in Wales, south-west England and London and the South East on Christmas Eve.And there are also amber warnings for rain in Wales, south-west England and London and the South East on Christmas Eve.
BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller said that a rapidly deepening area of low pressure was pushing more stormy weather across the UK, including a heightened risk of flooding.BBC weather forecaster Nick Miller said that a rapidly deepening area of low pressure was pushing more stormy weather across the UK, including a heightened risk of flooding.
Chris Burton, from weather forecaster MeteoGroup, said up to 2in (50mm) of rain was expected to fall across southern areas of England, the Midlands and Wales.
BBC weather forecaster Louise Lear said conditions would ease off for Christmas Day and Boxing Day before returning with a "serious storm" on Friday.BBC weather forecaster Louise Lear said conditions would ease off for Christmas Day and Boxing Day before returning with a "serious storm" on Friday.
FloodingFlooding
The Environment Agency said there was a medium risk of flooding on Monday in southern areas, including Hampshire, Kent, West Sussex, Surrey, the south west of England and Greater London. The Environment Agency issued flood warnings across much of England and Wales, with a severe warning in Weymouth where the public were advised to avoid the "extremely dangerous" Preston Beach area.
Several flood warnings and alerts - which are updated every 15 minutes - are currently in place across England and Wales.
The agency's director of operations, David Jordan, warned people not to try to drive through floodwater.The agency's director of operations, David Jordan, warned people not to try to drive through floodwater.
"Tragically, people die because they've taken risks and attempted to drive through floodwater just to save a few minutes," he said."Tragically, people die because they've taken risks and attempted to drive through floodwater just to save a few minutes," he said.
Pete Fox from the agency warned that driving into just 30cm of water was enough to carry a car away, and advised people to heed warnings and move valuables upstairs if living in a "flood risk" area.Pete Fox from the agency warned that driving into just 30cm of water was enough to carry a car away, and advised people to heed warnings and move valuables upstairs if living in a "flood risk" area.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued several flood warnings for Tayside, as well as alerts for other areas.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued several flood warnings for Tayside, as well as alerts for other areas.
Travel adviceTravel advice
A number of train companies have already reduced or cancelled services, and have imposed speed restrictions on some routes.A number of train companies have already reduced or cancelled services, and have imposed speed restrictions on some routes.
South West Trains imposed a 50mph speed limit on one of its Wessex routes and warned more lines could face similar restrictions later.South West Trains imposed a 50mph speed limit on one of its Wessex routes and warned more lines could face similar restrictions later.
Trains between Peterborough and London Kings Cross also faced half-hour delays because of speed restrictions.Trains between Peterborough and London Kings Cross also faced half-hour delays because of speed restrictions.
Passengers with train tickets for Monday afternoon are advised to travel earlier and to check the National Rail Enquiries website or speak to their train company.Passengers with train tickets for Monday afternoon are advised to travel earlier and to check the National Rail Enquiries website or speak to their train company.
Network Rail's Robin Gisby said there had been between 20 and 30 trees cleared from lines so far but that he expected 200 to have fallen by tomorrow.
Elsewhere:Elsewhere:
The AA said Monday was likely to be one of the busiest days on the road.The AA said Monday was likely to be one of the busiest days on the road.
"Driving conditions in places are going to pretty horrible... with reduced visibility and standing water causing problems," it said."Driving conditions in places are going to pretty horrible... with reduced visibility and standing water causing problems," it said.
The Highways Agency, which manages major roads in England, is advising drivers of vehicles vulnerable to high winds to avoid certain roads if possible.The Highways Agency, which manages major roads in England, is advising drivers of vehicles vulnerable to high winds to avoid certain roads if possible.
It said gusts of up to 60mph were likely in areas south of the M4 and as far east as Suffolk, with 70mph gusts likely on routes close to the coast.It said gusts of up to 60mph were likely in areas south of the M4 and as far east as Suffolk, with 70mph gusts likely on routes close to the coast.
The agency said it may need to close certain bridges in the event of persistent high winds.The agency said it may need to close certain bridges in the event of persistent high winds.
While there are currently no planned flight delays, Heathrow and Stansted have advised passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airports on Monday.While there are currently no planned flight delays, Heathrow and Stansted have advised passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airports on Monday.
Travel expert Simon Calder told the BBC News Channel that Heathrow was "relatively quiet" on Monday, but warned that cancellations and delays would likely build up due to the strong southerly wind.Travel expert Simon Calder told the BBC News Channel that Heathrow was "relatively quiet" on Monday, but warned that cancellations and delays would likely build up due to the strong southerly wind.
Gatwick said it did not expect the adverse weather to cause any problems.Gatwick said it did not expect the adverse weather to cause any problems.
On Sunday, 40 firefighters were called to Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders after a flash flood swept through the town. Gale force winds damaged ancient woodland in Gwynedd.On Sunday, 40 firefighters were called to Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders after a flash flood swept through the town. Gale force winds damaged ancient woodland in Gwynedd.
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