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Flood-hit coastal areas prepare for more high tides Flood-hit coastal areas prepare for more high tides
(about 1 hour later)
More than 300 Environment Agency flood warnings and alerts are in force across England as flood-hit areas prepare for more high tides.More than 300 Environment Agency flood warnings and alerts are in force across England as flood-hit areas prepare for more high tides.
Numerous homes and business have been affected, with coastal areas of Devon and Cornwall particularly badly hit.Numerous homes and business have been affected, with coastal areas of Devon and Cornwall particularly badly hit.
A Devon man is missing after leaving home to take photographs of stormy seas off Wembury Point.A Devon man is missing after leaving home to take photographs of stormy seas off Wembury Point.
In Gloucestershire, the River Severn burst its banks when high tides combined with the Severn Bore.In Gloucestershire, the River Severn burst its banks when high tides combined with the Severn Bore.
The Environment Agency said water came within a few inches of overtopping significant flood defences, but "things could have been worse".The Environment Agency said water came within a few inches of overtopping significant flood defences, but "things could have been worse".
The Met Office said the recent spate of storms were the worst in about 20 years and had been caused by a "really powerful" jet stream pushing a series of Atlantic depressions towards the UK.The Met Office said the recent spate of storms were the worst in about 20 years and had been caused by a "really powerful" jet stream pushing a series of Atlantic depressions towards the UK.
"Sunday, could be the last of the really big storms and it may just be a notch down - a bit less severe," spokeswoman Helen Chivers told BBC News."Sunday, could be the last of the really big storms and it may just be a notch down - a bit less severe," spokeswoman Helen Chivers told BBC News.
"In the grand scheme of things these spells could well rank as the stormiest period of weather since January 1993.""In the grand scheme of things these spells could well rank as the stormiest period of weather since January 1993."
Meanwhile, Brixham Coastguard is coordinating a major land, sea and air search for the missing 18-year-old from Devon. Brixham Coastguard is coordinating a major land, sea and air search for the missing 18-year-old from Devon.
The man was last seen by his family at lunchtime on Thursday, when he left home at Membland, near Newton Ferrers, to take photographs of the stormy seas at Wembury Point.The man was last seen by his family at lunchtime on Thursday, when he left home at Membland, near Newton Ferrers, to take photographs of the stormy seas at Wembury Point.
Helicopters from the National Police Air Service and RNAS Culdrose are involved in the search along with the Plymouth RNLI all weather lifeboat and coastguard rescue teams from Yealmpton and Plymouth.Helicopters from the National Police Air Service and RNAS Culdrose are involved in the search along with the Plymouth RNLI all weather lifeboat and coastguard rescue teams from Yealmpton and Plymouth.
Lightning strikes
He is about 5ft 11in (1.8m) tall, of slim build with short dark-brown hair, a light-coloured beard and blue eyes. He was wearing a grey hooded jumper and pink "skinny" jeans.He is about 5ft 11in (1.8m) tall, of slim build with short dark-brown hair, a light-coloured beard and blue eyes. He was wearing a grey hooded jumper and pink "skinny" jeans.
Flooding has also disrupted travel, while high winds have caused some structural damage. Lightning strikes
First Great Western said "multiple lightning strikes" on signalling equipment had resulted in delays of about two hours on trains between Plymouth and Penzance. Flooding has disrupted travel, while high winds and lightning have caused damage.
Brittany Ferries has cancelled its crossings to and from Plymouth.
A pair of semi-detached houses were struck by lightning at Higher Crackington, near Bude in Cornwall, while an eight foot-tall (2m) wall collapsed at Instow.
The storm, which swept in from the Atlantic, hit the Isles of Scilly first.The storm, which swept in from the Atlantic, hit the Isles of Scilly first.
Dale Clark, the harbourmaster on St Mary's, said: "It was one of those days when you just wanted to batten down.Dale Clark, the harbourmaster on St Mary's, said: "It was one of those days when you just wanted to batten down.
The Environment Agency said people should protect themselves and their belongings, but should not put themselves in danger.The Environment Agency said people should protect themselves and their belongings, but should not put themselves in danger.
It said recent heavy rain, saturated ground and high river levels meant there was also an increased risk of rivers flooding.It said recent heavy rain, saturated ground and high river levels meant there was also an increased risk of rivers flooding.
The Met Office said a combination of lowering pressure and high tides, together with already high levels of ground saturation, would bring the risk of flooding.The Met Office said a combination of lowering pressure and high tides, together with already high levels of ground saturation, would bring the risk of flooding.
Two people died earlier this week - a woman in north Devon and a man in Cornwall - after they were swept out to sea in stormy conditions.Two people died earlier this week - a woman in north Devon and a man in Cornwall - after they were swept out to sea in stormy conditions.