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UK storms destroy railway line and leave thousands without power UK storms destroy railway line and leave thousands without power
(35 minutes later)
Parts of Britain have been hit by a storm which destroyed a section of railway, forced people out of their homes and left others without power. Parts of Britain have been hit by a storm which destroyed a section of railway, forced people from their homes and left thousands without power.
A section of the sea wall in Dawlish, Devon, collapsed and left the railway to Cornwall suspended in mid-air.A section of the sea wall in Dawlish, Devon, collapsed and left the railway to Cornwall suspended in mid-air.
Residents of more than 150 homes at Fordgate and Northmoor on the Somerset Levels have been evacuated amid fears flood defences could be overwhelmed. Residents of homes on the Somerset Levels were evacuated amid fears flood defences could be overwhelmed.
David Cameron has announced an extra £100m for flood works. David Cameron chaired his first Cobra meeting this year and announced an extra £100m for flood works.
At Prime Minister's Questions he pledged £75m for repairs over the next year, £10m for urgent work in Somerset - where several rivers have flooded - and £15m for maintenance.At Prime Minister's Questions he pledged £75m for repairs over the next year, £10m for urgent work in Somerset - where several rivers have flooded - and £15m for maintenance.
Mr Cameron has chaired his first meeting of the Cobra emergency committee this year to discuss the floods, following widespread criticism of Environment Secretary Owen Paterson's handling of the crisis. Mr Cameron led the Cobra emergency committee meeting to discuss the floods following widespread criticism of Environment Secretary Owen Paterson's handling of the crisis.
After the meeting he said he would "ensure that everything that can be done to get stricken communities moving is being done: there are no restrictions on help". He said he would "ensure that everything that can be done to get stricken communities moving is being done: there are no restrictions on help".
'Force of nature''Force of nature'
On the Somerset levels, police used a helicopter to advise the occupants of more than 150 properties to leave their homes. On the Somerset levels, police used a helicopter to advise the occupants of more than 150 properties in Fordgate and Northmoor to leave their homes.
Forecasters say there will be an "improving picture" on Wednesday evening. But there will be rain moving up from the south coast on Thursday morning which will spread to south-west England in late morning. About 20-30mm of rain is expected throughout the day.Forecasters say there will be an "improving picture" on Wednesday evening. But there will be rain moving up from the south coast on Thursday morning which will spread to south-west England in late morning. About 20-30mm of rain is expected throughout the day.
More heavy rain and gales are forecast for Friday night into Saturday.More heavy rain and gales are forecast for Friday night into Saturday.
Dawlish resident Robert Parker said the storm was "like the end of the world".Dawlish resident Robert Parker said the storm was "like the end of the world".
He said: "It was like an earthquake. I've never experienced anything like it. I've been in some terrible storms in the North Sea, but last night was just a force of nature."He said: "It was like an earthquake. I've never experienced anything like it. I've been in some terrible storms in the North Sea, but last night was just a force of nature."
Western Power Distribution said about 44,000 customers had been affected by power cuts since Tuesday afternoon and 9,680 were still without power across the South West. In Cornwall, 7,800 are cut off.Western Power Distribution said about 44,000 customers had been affected by power cuts since Tuesday afternoon and 9,680 were still without power across the South West. In Cornwall, 7,800 are cut off.
Around 800 staff were working to restore supplies.Around 800 staff were working to restore supplies.
Network service manager Phil Davies, said: "We've had a very busy day again, we've worked in extreme conditions overnight and yesterday evening when the storm hit us.Network service manager Phil Davies, said: "We've had a very busy day again, we've worked in extreme conditions overnight and yesterday evening when the storm hit us.
"And we've worked extremely hard today, but we are fighting a bit of a battle because of about 8,000 customers - we had about 8,000 off at the beginning of the day, we've still got 8,000 off but of that 8,000, 6,000 are new.""And we've worked extremely hard today, but we are fighting a bit of a battle because of about 8,000 customers - we had about 8,000 off at the beginning of the day, we've still got 8,000 off but of that 8,000, 6,000 are new."
Earlier, First Great Western said all lines between Exeter St Davids and Penzance were closed because of the collapsed track at Dawlish and adverse weather conditions.Earlier, First Great Western said all lines between Exeter St Davids and Penzance were closed because of the collapsed track at Dawlish and adverse weather conditions.
Patrick Hallgate from Network Rail, who assessed the damage at Dawlish, said it could take between four and six weeks to fix the line, which is the main rail link between south Devon and Cornwall.Patrick Hallgate from Network Rail, who assessed the damage at Dawlish, said it could take between four and six weeks to fix the line, which is the main rail link between south Devon and Cornwall.
"This is probably the biggest structural engineering feat we've faced in the South West for at least the last decade," he said."This is probably the biggest structural engineering feat we've faced in the South West for at least the last decade," he said.
Speaking after the Cobra meeting, the prime minister said he was "determined to ensure a proper alternative service" was provided while the railway line at Dawlish remained out of use, with a solution found to fix it as soon as possible.Speaking after the Cobra meeting, the prime minister said he was "determined to ensure a proper alternative service" was provided while the railway line at Dawlish remained out of use, with a solution found to fix it as soon as possible.
First Great Western said some branch lines in Devon and Cornwall were now operating.First Great Western said some branch lines in Devon and Cornwall were now operating.
The Environment Agency has six severe flood warnings in place, meaning "danger to life", covering much of the south coast from Cornwall to Dorset and two areas of Somerset. It has also issued about 60 flood warnings and more than 200 flood alerts.The Environment Agency has six severe flood warnings in place, meaning "danger to life", covering much of the south coast from Cornwall to Dorset and two areas of Somerset. It has also issued about 60 flood warnings and more than 200 flood alerts.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued four flood warnings and several flood alerts.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued four flood warnings and several flood alerts.
The Met Office has issued an amber severe weather warning - meaning "be prepared"- for wind for south-west England and south Wales until 19:00 GMT on Wednesday, and for rain from 15:00 GMT on Thursday until 23:00 GMT on Saturday.The Met Office has issued an amber severe weather warning - meaning "be prepared"- for wind for south-west England and south Wales until 19:00 GMT on Wednesday, and for rain from 15:00 GMT on Thursday until 23:00 GMT on Saturday.
In other developments:In other developments:
Firefighters have also been called out to deal with dangerous structures. There have been two incidents in the Tenby area of Pembrokeshire with roofing being blown off buildings.Firefighters have also been called out to deal with dangerous structures. There have been two incidents in the Tenby area of Pembrokeshire with roofing being blown off buildings.
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