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UK storm: Damage disrupts travel as more severe weather hits UK storm: Damage disrupts travel as more severe weather hits
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland and Northern Ireland are bearing the brunt of the latest storms to hit the UK, amid continuing travel disruption in many parts. Thousands have their Christmas travel plans disrupted and 150,000 homes are without power as severe weather continues to batter the UK.
Two people died in Monday's storm - a man in Cumbria and a woman in Gwynedd. A woman also died in a car crash in "difficult conditions" in Shropshire. Trains have been cancelled, roads flooded and there have been long delays and cancellations at Gatwick Airport.
Homes have been damaged, with 150,000 without power in southern England, and road, sea and air travel is affected. Southern England has been badly affected but the storm has been heading north, with Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland now bearing the brunt.
High winds are hitting Northern Ireland and Scotland, and could reach 90mph. Two people died in storms on Monday - a man in Cumbria and a woman in Gwynedd.
There has been heavy rain in Northern Ireland, with more expected, and winds in Wales have reached 78 mph in Pembrey and 77 mph in Aberdaron.
The strong winds in Scotland could reach up to 90 mph in the west later on Tuesday, forecasters have said.
As many try to travel home for Christmas, there is widespread disruption to rail services:As many try to travel home for Christmas, there is widespread disruption to rail services:
Tens of thousands of homes are without power, with Kent, Surrey and Sussex worst affected, the Energy Networks Association said. It said there had been "notable collisions" along power lines during the stormy weather.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I'm across plans to get electricity to many without power. My thoughts are with them and those facing travel problems this Christmas Eve."
'Worse than St Jude's'
Network Rail asked for passengers' patience, saying in southern England the storm damage had been greater than that of the recent St Jude's storm.Network Rail asked for passengers' patience, saying in southern England the storm damage had been greater than that of the recent St Jude's storm.
Robin Gisby, of Network Rail, told the BBC that train services were "beginning to go", but it would be about 12:00 GMT "before we crank up the services". It said 200 trees had come down on lines during the last 24 hours and there had been "a further 100 major incidents discovered on top of that".
Robin Gisby, of Network Rail, told the BBC that train services were "beginning to go".
"All we want to do now is get everybody where they want to be by close of Christmas Eve," he said."All we want to do now is get everybody where they want to be by close of Christmas Eve," he said.
'Absolutely desperate' The severe weather is causing disruption at some airports. At Gatwick, a power outage at the north terminal left several thousand passengers stranded, with delays and 15 flights cancelled.
The severe weather is causing disruption at some airports. At Gatwick, a power outage at the north terminal left several thousand passengers stranded, with delays and 15 flights cancelled so far.
All flights due to depart from the north terminal after 13:00 GMT were moved to the south terminal, excluding those from British Airways, the airport announced. Flights scheduled to arrive at the north terminal would continue to do so.All flights due to depart from the north terminal after 13:00 GMT were moved to the south terminal, excluding those from British Airways, the airport announced. Flights scheduled to arrive at the north terminal would continue to do so.
Graziella Vella, who is six months pregnant and was due to fly to Malta to spend Christmas with her family, said travellers were "in limbo".Graziella Vella, who is six months pregnant and was due to fly to Malta to spend Christmas with her family, said travellers were "in limbo".
"I am fuming and absolutely desperate - there has been no information at all and we can't make alternative plans," said the 37-year-old from north London."I am fuming and absolutely desperate - there has been no information at all and we can't make alternative plans," said the 37-year-old from north London.
Southern Trains services between Gatwick and London were suspended because of a cable fire near East Croydon. A replacement bus service was was put in place instead.Southern Trains services between Gatwick and London were suspended because of a cable fire near East Croydon. A replacement bus service was was put in place instead.
Heathrow is warning of problems and urging passengers to check flights, while Bristol and Glasgow airports are seeing delays or cancellations.Heathrow is warning of problems and urging passengers to check flights, while Bristol and Glasgow airports are seeing delays or cancellations.
Jersey Airport has been helping passengers whose flights were delayed on Monday to travel to their destinations. The airport will be closed on Christmas Day and normal services will resume on Boxing Day, a spokeswoman said.Jersey Airport has been helping passengers whose flights were delayed on Monday to travel to their destinations. The airport will be closed on Christmas Day and normal services will resume on Boxing Day, a spokeswoman said.
Many ferry services are still disrupted, including services between Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man Steam Packet ferry crossings. The company has said it will take the unusual step of operating a Christmas Day sailing.Many ferry services are still disrupted, including services between Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man Steam Packet ferry crossings. The company has said it will take the unusual step of operating a Christmas Day sailing.
Some people were forced to spend the night in their cars at the Port of Dover, waiting to sail to France, however the port reopened at 07:00.Some people were forced to spend the night in their cars at the Port of Dover, waiting to sail to France, however the port reopened at 07:00.
On the roads, Frank Bird, of the Highways Agency, which covers England, told the BBC it was expected the severe weather would die down at about 16:00 and the roads would return to normal.On the roads, Frank Bird, of the Highways Agency, which covers England, told the BBC it was expected the severe weather would die down at about 16:00 and the roads would return to normal.
Met Office: UK severe weather warningsMet Office: UK severe weather warnings
Tens of thousands of homes are without power, with Kent, Surrey and Sussex worst affected, the Energy Networks Association said. It said there had been "notable collisions" along power lines during the stormy weather.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I'm across plans to get electricity to many without power. My thoughts are with them and those facing travel problems this Christmas Eve."
In other developments:In other developments:
Snow and blizzardsSnow and blizzards
The Met Office has amber severe weather warnings for wind in Northern Ireland and north-west Scotland.The Met Office has amber severe weather warnings for wind in Northern Ireland and north-west Scotland.
In Scotland, its warnings were upgraded to include the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the north-west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, Orkney and Shetland. Snow and blizzards are also forecast on higher ground.In Scotland, its warnings were upgraded to include the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the north-west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, Orkney and Shetland. Snow and blizzards are also forecast on higher ground.
The strongest gusts so far were 77 mph in Inverbervie, 75 mph on South Uist, and 74 mph on the Isle of Tiree.The strongest gusts so far were 77 mph in Inverbervie, 75 mph on South Uist, and 74 mph on the Isle of Tiree.
Northern Ireland Electricity said northern and eastern coastal areas and exposed high ground were likely to be particularly affected.Northern Ireland Electricity said northern and eastern coastal areas and exposed high ground were likely to be particularly affected.
Flood warningsFlood warnings
The Environment Agency has about 150 flood warnings in place for England and Wales - signifying that flooding is "expected", and more than 250 flood alerts, where flooding is "possible".The Environment Agency has about 150 flood warnings in place for England and Wales - signifying that flooding is "expected", and more than 250 flood alerts, where flooding is "possible".
There are no severe flood warnings - indicating danger to life - in place.There are no severe flood warnings - indicating danger to life - in place.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has about two dozen flood warnings in place but no severe flood warnings.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has about two dozen flood warnings in place but no severe flood warnings.
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