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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 are beginning to batter the southern coast of the UK, as forecasters warn exposed areas could see a fresh round of flooding.Huge waves are beginning to batter 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, seafront student flats are being evacuated, and across the UK dozens of flood warnings - including one severe - remain in place.In Aberystwyth, seafront student flats are being evacuated, and across the UK dozens of flood warnings - including one severe - remain in place.
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 said the flooding could be worse than that seen in recent days. Western and southern areas are bearing the brunt of the latest severe weather, and the flooding could be worse than that seen in recent days.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is to chair a Cobra emergency meeting on Monday afternoon to ensure agencies are ready to respond.
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 issued a warning of gusts of up to 70mph for Britain's west coast and the east coast of Northern Ireland on Monday.The Met Office issued a warning of gusts of up to 70mph for Britain's west coast and the east coast of Northern Ireland on Monday.
It said the huge waves were being caused by a large, deep depression in the Atlantic which was "whipping waves up" out at sea - and these were coming in as a "large swell". It said the huge waves were being 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 over 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.
As well as the severe flood warning - indicating danger to life and property - for the Lower Stour in Dorset, about 100 flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required - are in place in England and Wales.As well as the severe flood warning - indicating danger to life and property - for the Lower Stour in Dorset, about 100 flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required - are in place in England and Wales.
More than 230 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.
Residents in Dorset and Oxfordshire, already inundated by high waters, were again urged by the Environment Agency to prepare for "significant flooding" on the Thames, Dorset Stour and Frome. Residents in Dorset and Oxfordshire, already inundated by high waters, are again being urged by the Environment Agency to prepare for "significant flooding" on the Thames, Dorset Stour and Frome.
Flooding is also continuing on the Somerset Levels, and rivers in southern England, including the Severn, remain at "very high" risk of flooding. Flooding is also continuing on the Somerset Levels, a coastal plain in central Somerset, while rivers in southern England, including the Severn, remain at "very high" risk of flooding.
The village of Muchelney, on the Somerset Levels, a coastal plain in central Somerset, 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.
Mrs Bradley said: "It's pretty desolate really, especially for the elderly and the children." She adds that it can also be "treacherous", and even wading through the flood water is "very dangerous". Mrs Bradley said: "It's pretty desolate really, especially for the elderly and the children."
In Scotland, 10 flood warnings are in place in Perth and Kinross while, elsewhere in Scotland, a further 15 flood alerts are in place. In Scotland, 17 flood warnings are in place, along with a further 15 flood alerts.
Strong winds and high tides have caused serious flooding in County Down and sandbags have been distributed in a number of towns close to the county's coastline amid fears of further problems.
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.
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