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| UK storms: Giant waves hit amid fresh flooding fears | UK storms: Giant waves hit amid fresh flooding fears |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Huge waves have battered the southern coast of the UK, as forecasters warn exposed areas could see a fresh round of flooding. | |
| Waves of up to 27ft (8m) have been recorded off Land's End, Cornwall. | Waves of up to 27ft (8m) have been recorded off Land's End, Cornwall. |
| In Aberystwyth, 250 people have been evacuated from seafront flats, and many flood warnings - including three severe ones - remain in place across the UK. | |
| Travel by road and rail is being hit, causing disruption for many returning to work after the Christmas break. | Travel by road and rail is being hit, causing disruption for many returning to work after the Christmas break. |
| Western and southern areas are bearing the brunt of the latest severe weather, and forecasters are warning that flooding could be worse than that seen in recent days. | Western and southern areas are bearing the brunt of the latest severe weather, and forecasters are warning that flooding could be worse than that seen in recent days. |
| Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has chaired a Cobra emergency meeting to ensure agencies are ready to respond, and will make a statement to the Commons later on the impact of the bad weather. | Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has chaired a Cobra emergency meeting to ensure agencies are ready to respond, and will make a statement to the Commons later on the impact of the bad weather. |
| He again defended spending on flood defences, following criticism over the weekend, saying the government was spending "more than ever before". | He again defended spending on flood defences, following criticism over the weekend, saying the government was spending "more than ever before". |
| The latest travel disruption includes: | The latest travel disruption includes: |
| Around the UK: | Around the UK: |
| 'Lethal' waves | 'Lethal' waves |
| BBC forecaster John Hammond said exposed places around southern and western coasts were expected to see "colossal waves", adding they will be "absolutely lethal if you get in the way of them". | BBC forecaster John Hammond said exposed places around southern and western coasts were expected to see "colossal waves", adding they will be "absolutely lethal if you get in the way of them". |
| The Met Office warned gusts could reach up to 70mph on Britain's west coast and the east coast of Northern Ireland. | The Met Office warned gusts could reach up to 70mph on Britain's west coast and the east coast of Northern Ireland. |
| It said the huge waves were caused by a large, deep depression in the Atlantic which was "whipping waves up" out at sea - and these were hitting the coast as a "large swell". | It said the huge waves were caused by a large, deep depression in the Atlantic which was "whipping waves up" out at sea - and these were hitting the coast as a "large swell". |
| Wave heights of 7-10m in parts of western Scotland, Wales and south-west England, and 3-7m in much of the English Channel and Irish Sea, could be generated, said the Met Office. | Wave heights of 7-10m in parts of western Scotland, Wales and south-west England, and 3-7m in much of the English Channel and Irish Sea, could be generated, said the Met Office. |
| "The public should be aware of the dangers of waves crashing onshore and over-topping shore lines and sea fronts," it said. | "The public should be aware of the dangers of waves crashing onshore and over-topping shore lines and sea fronts," it said. |
| There are currently three severe flood warning for parts of Dorset - indicating danger to life and property - for the Lower Stour, Chiswell, on the Isle of Portland and Weymouth. | |
| There are also about 100 other flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required -in place in England and Wales. | |
| About 220 flood alerts - meaning "flooding is possible, be prepared" - are also in place. | About 220 flood alerts - meaning "flooding is possible, be prepared" - are also in place. |
| More than 300 properties have been flooded but more than 220,000 have been protected by flood defences, according to latest Environment Agency figures. | More than 300 properties have been flooded but more than 220,000 have been protected by flood defences, according to latest Environment Agency figures. |
| Paul Mustow, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: "The risk of flooding continues this week, with communities in the South West and South East urged to be particularly vigilant." | Paul Mustow, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: "The risk of flooding continues this week, with communities in the South West and South East urged to be particularly vigilant." |
| Rebecca Davies, pro vice-chancellor of Aberystwyth University, said around 150 students in seafront accommodation had been moved to another campus and a further 100 in private homes have also left. | Rebecca Davies, pro vice-chancellor of Aberystwyth University, said around 150 students in seafront accommodation had been moved to another campus and a further 100 in private homes have also left. |
| Exams scheduled for this week have been postponed until next week, she said, and students who have not yet returned to the university are being urged to stay away until the middle of the week. | Exams scheduled for this week have been postponed until next week, she said, and students who have not yet returned to the university are being urged to stay away until the middle of the week. |
| The village of Muchelney, on the Somerset Levels, has been cut off for about four days. | The village of Muchelney, on the Somerset Levels, has been cut off for about four days. |
| Residents David and Tracey Bradley said they were making daily trips in their canoe to fetch essential supplies. | Residents David and Tracey Bradley said they were making daily trips in their canoe to fetch essential supplies. |
| "It's pretty desolate really, especially for the elderly and the children," said Mrs Bradley. | "It's pretty desolate really, especially for the elderly and the children," said Mrs Bradley. |
| In Scotland, 17 flood warnings are in place, along with a further 15 flood alerts. | In Scotland, 17 flood warnings are in place, along with a further 15 flood alerts. |
| The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of winds for Northern Ireland. | The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of winds for Northern Ireland. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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