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'Exceptional weather' with rain, wind and high tides to hit UK 'Exceptional weather' with rain, wind and high tides to hit UK
(35 minutes later)
A period of "exceptional weather" with rain, wind and high tides is set to hit the UK, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has said.A period of "exceptional weather" with rain, wind and high tides is set to hit the UK, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has said.
He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, in which different agencies discussed the UK's response to floods.He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, in which different agencies discussed the UK's response to floods.
Dozens of flood warnings are in place in England, Wales and Scotland.Dozens of flood warnings are in place in England, Wales and Scotland.
The Environment Agency has also warned of possible tidal flooding in the south and west of England later this week.The Environment Agency has also warned of possible tidal flooding in the south and west of England later this week.
It said it expects to issue severe flood warnings - indicating a danger to life - in the coming hours, most likely for the Isles of Scilly, the north and south coasts of Devon and Cornwall, Dorset and Wales' coastline.
Mr Paterson said the coast would be dangerous.Mr Paterson said the coast would be dangerous.
He said ministers were working to ensure all agencies were "absolutely prepared for the bad weather."He said ministers were working to ensure all agencies were "absolutely prepared for the bad weather."
Cobra, named after Cabinet Office Briefing Room A in Whitehall, brings together ministers, civil servants and others such as the police and Environment Agency - depending on the nature of the emergency it is responding to.Cobra, named after Cabinet Office Briefing Room A in Whitehall, brings together ministers, civil servants and others such as the police and Environment Agency - depending on the nature of the emergency it is responding to.
'Highly dangerous'
The Environment Agency's head of strategy, Pete Fox, said: "We are expecting flooding along the west and south coasts of England and Wales, due to a combination of strong winds, large waves and high tides, from the early hours of Friday and into the weekend.
"Coastal paths and promenades could be highly dangerous as there is an increased risk of being swept out to sea. People are warned to stay away from the shoreline."
Mr Paterson chaired meetings throughout Wednesday to ensure the Environment Agency and local councils "are on the ground and offering all possible support to their communities".Mr Paterson chaired meetings throughout Wednesday to ensure the Environment Agency and local councils "are on the ground and offering all possible support to their communities".
"We remain in touch with local councils in at-risk areas," he said."We remain in touch with local councils in at-risk areas," he said.
"With a number of flood alerts for Thursday, including several areas which have previously been flooded, I urge everyone in affected areas to sign up to Environment Agency flood warnings and follow the advice issued.""With a number of flood alerts for Thursday, including several areas which have previously been flooded, I urge everyone in affected areas to sign up to Environment Agency flood warnings and follow the advice issued."
Thousands of homes have suffered power cuts due to the recent storms, with some cut off for several days, while numerous properties and roads have been flooded.Thousands of homes have suffered power cuts due to the recent storms, with some cut off for several days, while numerous properties and roads have been flooded.
Many of the flood warnings on Wednesday - and those issued for Thursday - were in south west England, where Devon and Cornwall Police appealed for people not to enter the sea during the bad weather.Many of the flood warnings on Wednesday - and those issued for Thursday - were in south west England, where Devon and Cornwall Police appealed for people not to enter the sea during the bad weather.
Flooding disrupted a number of train services on Thursday morning, with no services running between Teddington, south-west London, and Shepperton in Surrey.Flooding disrupted a number of train services on Thursday morning, with no services running between Teddington, south-west London, and Shepperton in Surrey.
There was also disruption between Fareham and Southampton Central/Eastleigh in Hampshire, because of flooding at Hedge End and Botley.There was also disruption between Fareham and Southampton Central/Eastleigh in Hampshire, because of flooding at Hedge End and Botley.
In Wales, the River Towy in Carmarthen burst its banks after continuing heavy rain.In Wales, the River Towy in Carmarthen burst its banks after continuing heavy rain.
The Thames Barrier in London has been closed to protect people and property along the river, the the Environment Agency said.
A woman drowned in the sea near Croyde, north Devon, on Tuesday. It is believed she had been swimming or surfing.A woman drowned in the sea near Croyde, north Devon, on Tuesday. It is believed she had been swimming or surfing.
And the search for a 27-year-old man washed out to sea near Porthleven, Cornwall, in the early hours of New Year's Day was called off after a body was found on the beach.And the search for a 27-year-old man washed out to sea near Porthleven, Cornwall, in the early hours of New Year's Day was called off after a body was found on the beach.
Rescue teams have also been searching for:Rescue teams have also been searching for:
Severe flooding hit several Devon villages on Wednesday and six people - including a baby - were rescued from cars in three separate incidents in Fenny Bridges, Ford Bridge and Avonwick.Severe flooding hit several Devon villages on Wednesday and six people - including a baby - were rescued from cars in three separate incidents in Fenny Bridges, Ford Bridge and Avonwick.
Coastal flood risk
The Environment Agency said storms expected from Friday to Sunday had the potential to be "a significant weather event".
Strong winds and large waves were expected to coincide with high tides, it said.
Craig Woolhouse, from the agency's head of flood management, said flooding could affect "some coastal properties and communities".
"Coastal paths and promenades could be highly dangerous as there is an increased risk of being swept out to sea," he added.
"People are warned to stay away from the shoreline."
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings - the lowest of its three levels - for rain and high winds on Friday in Northern Ireland and western parts of Scotland, Wales and England.The Met Office has issued yellow warnings - the lowest of its three levels - for rain and high winds on Friday in Northern Ireland and western parts of Scotland, Wales and England.
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