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Man dies as severe weather hits UK Christmas getaway Man dies as severe weather hits UK Christmas getaway
(about 1 hour later)
The body of a man has been found in a river in Cumbria, as severe weather batters parts of the UK.The body of a man has been found in a river in Cumbria, as severe weather batters parts of the UK.
An extensive search was carried out earlier after a man was seen falling into the River Rothay, Ambleside. A search had been carried out after a man was seen falling into the River Rothay, Ambleside.
Gale-force winds and heavy rain have disrupted the Christmas getaway for road, rail and air passengers. Gale-force winds and heavy rain have disrupted the Christmas getaway for road, rail, air and sea passengers.
Train services have been affected with cancellations and speed restrictions on some lines while ferries and flights have been cancelled. Train services have been affected, while ferries and flights have been cancelled. Thousands of homes have also been left without power.
Thousands of homes have also been left without power. Problems caused by the weather include:
It comes as the Environment Agency issued a "danger to life" flood warning in Weymouth. The Met Office has amber "be prepared" alerts for rain in Wales, South West England and London and South East England for Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
The Met Office has also issued amber alerts for rain across much of southern England and Wales. And it has amber warnings for wind for parts of the UK on Christmas Eve, including Northern Ireland, the east of England, London and the South East, and north-west Scotland.
The weather has caused power cuts for thousands in Berkshire and south-west England. The wind has brought down between 20 and 30 trees on train lines, Network Rail said, and staff had had to clear trampolines and sheds from the lines.
The worst hit areas include: Dozens of train companies across England, Wales and Scotland have delayed or cancelled services after speed restrictions were imposed on many routes.
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. At London Euston, the BBC's transport correspondent Richard Westcott said "virtually nothing" was leaving as engineers battled with a power supply problem near Watford.
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. Passengers with train tickets for Monday afternoon were advised to travel earlier, or on Tuesday, and to check the National Rail Enquiries website or speak to their train company.
In Conwy, North Wales, winds reached a record speed of 87mph while gusts hit 76mph in Torbay, Devon.
The wind brought down between 20 and 30 trees on train lines, Network Rail said.
"We're not interested in punctuality at the moment," said managing director Robin Gisby.
"We're just interested in getting everybody where they want to be by tomorrow night."
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 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.
Flooding Floodwater warning
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. The Environment Agency issued flood warnings across much of England and Wales, as well as the severe warning - warning of danger to life - in Weymouth.
The agency's director of operations, David Jordan, warned people not to try to drive through floodwater. By Monday afternoon there were more than 20 flood warnings, indicating that immediate action is required, for south-west England, and others in the north-west, north-east and Anglian areas.
"Tragically, people die because they've taken risks and attempted to drive through floodwater just to save a few minutes," he said. The agency warned people not to try to drive through floodwater.
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. It 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 advice
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.
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.
Network Rail said staff had had to clear trampolines and sheds from the lines.
Elsewhere:Elsewhere:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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