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Rain and gales disrupt Christmas travel Rain and gales disrupt Christmas travel
(about 3 hours later)
Torrential rain and strong gales have struck most of Britain, leaving hundreds of homes without power in Cornwall and causing travel disruption at the height of the Christmas getaway.Torrential rain and strong gales have struck most of Britain, leaving hundreds of homes without power in Cornwall and causing travel disruption at the height of the Christmas getaway.
Flood warnings were in place in five regions across England and forecasters warned festive travellers to brace themselves for the worst of the storm on Monday afternoon.Flood warnings were in place in five regions across England and forecasters warned festive travellers to brace themselves for the worst of the storm on Monday afternoon.
The south coast was battered by severe gales at dawn on Monday, bringing down overhead power lines and leaving 800 homes without electricity.The south coast was battered by severe gales at dawn on Monday, bringing down overhead power lines and leaving 800 homes without electricity.
Emma Compton, a Met Office forecaster, warned of severe disruption to transport throughout the day. "By lunchtime it will be everywhere," she said. "It's going to be fairly persistent."Emma Compton, a Met Office forecaster, warned of severe disruption to transport throughout the day. "By lunchtime it will be everywhere," she said. "It's going to be fairly persistent."
Rail operators across England advised passengers to travel as early as possible or delay their plans until Christmas Eve to avoid severe delays.Rail operators across England advised passengers to travel as early as possible or delay their plans until Christmas Eve to avoid severe delays.
Network Rail said speed restrictions were likely on some routes. Greater Anglia Trains cancelled more than 50 services scheduled to run later on Monday, including all but three from 5pm onwards.Network Rail said speed restrictions were likely on some routes. Greater Anglia Trains cancelled more than 50 services scheduled to run later on Monday, including all but three from 5pm onwards.
Police said that they had retrieved the body of a man from the Rothay River in Cumbria after he fell in earlier this afternoon.
Cumbria Police said in a statement: "Cumbria Police can confirm that unfortunately, a body of a man has been found in Rothay River at 3.30pm after an extensive search involving Police, Fire, Ambulance, Lake Wardens, Coastguard, Langdale Mountain rescue and RAF Rescue.
"The man was pronounced dead at the scene and Officers are now working to identify the man and inform his next of kin."
Chris Burton, a MeteoGroup forecaster, offered a glimmer of positive news by saying the rain and windy weather should clear up by Christmas Eve morning.Chris Burton, a MeteoGroup forecaster, offered a glimmer of positive news by saying the rain and windy weather should clear up by Christmas Eve morning.
"The rain is going to be heaviest and most persistent across southern areas of England, the Midlands and Wales, with up to 2ins (50mm) of rain falling," he said. "Strong winds will continue throughout today, with gusts of 60mph across England and Wales, Northern Ireland and western Scotland. But by first thing tomorrow morning the weather should have turned a bit less wet and windy.""The rain is going to be heaviest and most persistent across southern areas of England, the Midlands and Wales, with up to 2ins (50mm) of rain falling," he said. "Strong winds will continue throughout today, with gusts of 60mph across England and Wales, Northern Ireland and western Scotland. But by first thing tomorrow morning the weather should have turned a bit less wet and windy."
Motorists in high-sided vehicles, including caravans, were urged to check for weather warnings before they travel as a number of bridges were closed as a precaution. Essex police closed the Queen Elizabeth II bridge in Dartford from noon, saying it was expected to reopen at 4am on Tuesday.Motorists in high-sided vehicles, including caravans, were urged to check for weather warnings before they travel as a number of bridges were closed as a precaution. Essex police closed the Queen Elizabeth II bridge in Dartford from noon, saying it was expected to reopen at 4am on Tuesday.
On Sunday a motorist died after his vehicle was involved in a three-car pile-up near Bodmin, in Cornwall, which police said may have been caused by a severe hailstorm.On Sunday a motorist died after his vehicle was involved in a three-car pile-up near Bodmin, in Cornwall, which police said may have been caused by a severe hailstorm.
Sergeant Olly Tayler, the senior investigating officer, urged motorists to beware of the "horrendous" weather conditions. "The investigation into what caused the collision continues but one line of inquiry is that there was an unexpected exceptional weather event that happened at the time of the collisions in the form of a hail storm," he said.Sergeant Olly Tayler, the senior investigating officer, urged motorists to beware of the "horrendous" weather conditions. "The investigation into what caused the collision continues but one line of inquiry is that there was an unexpected exceptional weather event that happened at the time of the collisions in the form of a hail storm," he said.
Three of the Environment Agency's flood warnings issued on Monday were in south-west England, along with 40 less serious flood alerts. Other flood warnings were issued in the north-west and north-east.Three of the Environment Agency's flood warnings issued on Monday were in south-west England, along with 40 less serious flood alerts. Other flood warnings were issued in the north-west and north-east.
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