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Wind and hail forecast for New Year's Eve Wind and hail forecast for New Year's Eve
(about 2 hours later)
Millions of Britons will endure a wet and windy start to 2014, with southern England and Wales and much of Scotland bearing the brunt.Millions of Britons will endure a wet and windy start to 2014, with southern England and Wales and much of Scotland bearing the brunt.
Hail and thunder as well as gales of 50-60mph could herald the new year even as the mop-up continues after the flooding and power cuts that have hit parts of the UK since Christmas Eve.Hail and thunder as well as gales of 50-60mph could herald the new year even as the mop-up continues after the flooding and power cuts that have hit parts of the UK since Christmas Eve.
Severe weather warnings remained in force for parts of north Ireland and south and central Scotland on Tuesday, and the same areas plus southern England are warned to expect similar conditions on Wednesday. Up to 40mm (1.6in) could fall on higher ground or coastal areas, according to the Met Office.Severe weather warnings remained in force for parts of north Ireland and south and central Scotland on Tuesday, and the same areas plus southern England are warned to expect similar conditions on Wednesday. Up to 40mm (1.6in) could fall on higher ground or coastal areas, according to the Met Office.
With rain still falling and more soakings expected in coming days, a number of official flood warnings are in place. In Scotland on Monday seven people, including four children, had to be airlifted to safety by a Royal Navy helicopter from a farmhouse near Closeburn in Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway.With rain still falling and more soakings expected in coming days, a number of official flood warnings are in place. In Scotland on Monday seven people, including four children, had to be airlifted to safety by a Royal Navy helicopter from a farmhouse near Closeburn in Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway.
The Environment Agency, covering England and Wales, said it had teams on the ground around the clock operating pumping stations, issuing flood warnings and checking that flood banks, walls and barriers are working effectively.The Environment Agency, covering England and Wales, said it had teams on the ground around the clock operating pumping stations, issuing flood warnings and checking that flood banks, walls and barriers are working effectively.
"We're warning of a continuing risk of flooding, particularly in the south-west of England, as rivers respond to heavy rainfall," it said. "On New Year's Day, heavy rain is expected which could cause flooding to communities in the south-east and south-west of England." "We're warning of a continuing risk of flooding, particularly in the south-west of England, as rivers respond to heavy rainfall," it said. "On New Year's Day heavy rain is expected which could cause flooding to communities in the south-east and south-west of England."
The agency appealed for anyone travelling to check the latest flood updates before setting off, and warned against driving through dangerous floodwater.The agency appealed for anyone travelling to check the latest flood updates before setting off, and warned against driving through dangerous floodwater.
Electricity company bosses are expected to face questioning by MPs when parliament returns over delays of up to five days in restoring power to 130,000 customers. Tim Yeo, chair of the Commons energy select committee, told the Daily Telegraph: "I'm very concerned about how long the network distribution companies took to restore power to thousands of customers. The committee will call them in when the house gets back.Electricity company bosses are expected to face questioning by MPs when parliament returns over delays of up to five days in restoring power to 130,000 customers. Tim Yeo, chair of the Commons energy select committee, told the Daily Telegraph: "I'm very concerned about how long the network distribution companies took to restore power to thousands of customers. The committee will call them in when the house gets back.
"I'm already concerned that these distribution companies are not properly scrutinised by Ofgem, despite being effectively monopolies. Their performance over Christmas was unacceptable.""I'm already concerned that these distribution companies are not properly scrutinised by Ofgem, despite being effectively monopolies. Their performance over Christmas was unacceptable."
The environment secretary, Owen Paterson, urged energy companies to stop staff taking new year holidays as more bad weather loomed. But the Energy Networks Association said this was already standard practice to cancel leave in such a situation. Engineers were seeking to make permanent repairs, get people off generators and prepare for any adverse weather in the coming days.The environment secretary, Owen Paterson, urged energy companies to stop staff taking new year holidays as more bad weather loomed. But the Energy Networks Association said this was already standard practice to cancel leave in such a situation. Engineers were seeking to make permanent repairs, get people off generators and prepare for any adverse weather in the coming days.
David Smith, the association's chief executive, said: "Network operators are constantly reviewing all aspects of their infrastructure. There is extensive repair work ongoing following the severe damage. In the coming weeks the whole industry as well as other agencies and authorities will take a thorough look at the processes and contingencies in place."David Smith, the association's chief executive, said: "Network operators are constantly reviewing all aspects of their infrastructure. There is extensive repair work ongoing following the severe damage. In the coming weeks the whole industry as well as other agencies and authorities will take a thorough look at the processes and contingencies in place."
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