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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)
Thousands have had their Christmas travel plans disrupted and around 100,000 homes are still without power as severe weather continues in the UK.Thousands have had their Christmas travel plans disrupted and around 100,000 homes are still without power as severe weather continues in the UK.
Trains have been cancelled, roads flooded and there have been long delays and cancellations at Gatwick Airport.Trains have been cancelled, roads flooded and there have been long delays and cancellations at Gatwick Airport.
Southern England has been badly affected but the storm has been heading north, with Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland now bearing the brunt. Southern England has been badly affected but the storm has been heading north, with Scotland now bearing the brunt.
In Devon, a man has died after jumping into the River Lemon to rescue his dog.In Devon, a man has died after jumping into the River Lemon to rescue his dog.
Witnesses saw the 46-year-old enter the river before being swept away, police said. Witnesses saw the 46-year-old enter the river before being swept away, police said, and he later died in hospital. The dog escaped unharmed.
The dog escaped unharmed, but the man died at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, despite resuscitation attempts.
There is an Environment Agency severe flood warning - which means a danger to life - at the River Mole at Leatherhead in Surrey, with already high levels of water expected to peak around midnight.There is an Environment Agency severe flood warning - which means a danger to life - at the River Mole at Leatherhead in Surrey, with already high levels of water expected to peak around midnight.
Just under 100,000 homes are still without power across the UK, with Kent, Surrey and Sussex worst affected, the Energy Networks Association said, after "notable collisions" along power lines during the stormy weather.
Power supplier Southern Electric said 70,000 of its customers remained without power, with West Sussex, southern Hampshire and Dorset worst-hit.
Some customers could still be without power on Christmas Day, it said.
Around 3,500 homes in the north of Scotland are also without power, mainly around the Deeside area, Buchan, Elgin, Wick and the Western Isles.
BBC Radio Cumbria are reporting that more than 1,000 homes are without electricity in the county. Electricity North West says there is a problem with overhead lines, probably caused by strong winds.
The severe weather is causing disruption at some airports. At Gatwick, a power cut at the north terminal left several thousand passengers stranded, with delays and 26 flights cancelled.The severe weather is causing disruption at some airports. At Gatwick, a power cut at the north terminal left several thousand passengers stranded, with delays and 26 flights cancelled.
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. The moved flights are being delayed by around 90 minutes but those delays are expected to get shorter as time goes on. 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, apart from those from British Airways.
Around 90 flights are due to leave Gatwick on Christmas Day and at this stage no delays are anticipated, although passengers are advised to check with their airlines before setting off for the airport. The moved flights were being delayed by around 90 minutes, but those delays are expected to get shorter as time goes on. Flights scheduled to arrive at the north terminal would continue to do so, the airport said.
Heathrow is warning of problems and urging passengers to check flights, while Bristol and Glasgow airports also have delays or cancellations. Around 90 flights are due to leave Gatwick on Christmas Day, and no delays are anticipated, although passengers are advised to check with their airlines before setting off for the airport.
Meanwhile a firefighters' strike is due to run between 19:00 GMT and 00:00 in England and Wales and there is an agreement between the union, the government and the fire services that if there are major incidents, union members could be recalled, the Fire Brigades Union said. Bristol Airport also reported some delays and diversions, and Glasgow Airport had some cancellations.
Meanwhile a firefighters' strike is due to run between 19:00 GMT and 00:00 in England and Wales and there is an agreement between the Fire Brigades' Union, the government and the fire services that if there are major incidents, union members can be recalled.
So if, there are problems resulting from the storm that has hit the country, firefighters may be asked to go back and work - albeit voluntarily.So if, there are problems resulting from the storm that has hit the country, firefighters may be asked to go back and work - albeit voluntarily.
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. There has been heavy rain in Northern Ireland, with more expected, and winds in Wales have reached 78mph in Pembrey and 77mph in Aberdaron.
The strong winds in Scotland could reach up to 90 mph in the west later on Tuesday, forecasters say. Around 3,500 homes in the north of the country are without power, mainly around the Deeside area, Buchan, Elgin, Wick and the Western Isles. The strong winds in Scotland could reach up to 90 mph in the west later on Tuesday, forecasters say.
Other than that however, so far the disruption in Scotland and Northern Ireland has not been as severe as was first feared.Other than that however, so far the disruption in Scotland and Northern Ireland has not been as severe as was first feared.
Meanwhile, there has been widespread disruption to rail services:Meanwhile, there has been widespread disruption to rail services:
However Robin Gisby, managing director of network operations at Network Rail, said: "Our stations are quieter now with most passengers safely on their way home. We thank people for their patience as our engineers have battled extreme conditions over the past 24 hours clearing scores of line blockages and over 200 trees to restore services and get people on the move again and home for Christmas." However Robin Gisby, managing director of network operations at Network Rail, said: "Our stations are quieter now with most passengers safely on their way home."
Network Rail had earlier asked for passengers' patience, saying in southern England the storm damage had been greater than that of the St Jude's storm in October. He said engineers had cleared scores of line blockages and over 200 trees over the past 24 hours.
Just under 100,000 homes are still without power across the UK, with Kent, Surrey and Sussex worst affected, the Energy Networks Association said, after "notable collisions" along power lines during the stormy weather. Network Rail had earlier said that in southern England the storm damage had been greater than that of the St Jude's storm in October.
They have restored power to 450,000 homes and engineers would be working through the day and into the night, there was a possibility that some homes would not have their power restored for the start of Christmas Day.
Power supplier Southern Electric said 70,000 of its customers remained without power, with West Sussex, southern Hampshire and Dorset worst-hit.
Spokeswoman Morven Smith told BBC Radio 4's The World At One some customers would still be without power on Christmas Day.
BBC Radio Cumbria are reporting that more than 1,000 homes are without electricity in the county. Electricity North West says there is a problem with overhead lines, probably caused by strong winds.
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."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."
Christmas Day ferryChristmas Day ferry
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.
Met Office: UK severe weather warningsMet Office: UK severe weather warnings
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.
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 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".
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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