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UK storms destroy railway line and leave thousands without power UK storms destroy railway line and leave thousands without power
(about 1 hour later)
Parts of Britain have been hit by a storm which destroyed a stretch of railway, forced people from their homes and left thousands without power.Parts of Britain have been hit by a storm which destroyed a stretch 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 homes on the Somerset Levels were 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 chaired his first Cobra meeting this year and 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 said he would "ensure that everything that can be done to get stricken communities moving is being done: there are no restrictions on help".Mr Cameron said he would "ensure that everything that can be done to get stricken communities moving is being done: there are no restrictions on help".
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Cameron had given the "clearest possible sign" that he needed to "be seen to be getting a grip" on the response to the floods.The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Cameron had given the "clearest possible sign" that he needed to "be seen to be getting a grip" on the response to the floods.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson's handling of the crisis has been widely criticised.Environment Secretary Owen Paterson's handling of the crisis has been widely criticised.
He will not be chairing the Cobra emergency committee or giving a statement to the House of Commons on Thursday after being diagnosed with a detached retina. Instead, Mr Paterson will undergo emergency surgery.He will not be chairing the Cobra emergency committee or giving a statement to the House of Commons on Thursday after being diagnosed with a detached retina. Instead, Mr Paterson will undergo emergency surgery.
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. 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 7,775 were still without power across the South West. In Cornwall, 5,412 are cut off.Western Power Distribution said about 44,000 customers had been affected by power cuts since Tuesday afternoon and 7,775 were still without power across the South West. In Cornwall, 5,412 are cut off.
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.""And we've worked extremely hard today, but we are fighting a bit of a battle."
First Great Western said all lines between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth were closed because of the collapsed track at Dawlish and the bad weather.First Great Western said all lines between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth were closed because of the collapsed track at Dawlish and the bad weather.
Limited services are running between Plymouth and Penzance, with rail replacement services due to be provided from Thursday.Limited services are running between Plymouth and Penzance, with rail replacement services due to be provided from Thursday.
Network Rail has estimated the damage at Dawlish could take at least six weeks to fix. First Great Western said the repairs could not begin until the weather improved.Network Rail has estimated the damage at Dawlish could take at least six weeks to fix. First Great Western said the repairs could not begin until the weather improved.
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.
The Environment Agency has two severe flood warnings in place in south-west England - meaning there is a danger to life - down from a high of nine earlier on Wednesday.The Environment Agency has two severe flood warnings in place in south-west England - meaning there is a danger to life - down from a high of nine earlier on Wednesday.
It has also issued about 60 flood warnings and more than 200 flood alerts.It has also issued about 60 flood warnings and more than 200 flood alerts.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued five flood warnings and several flood alerts.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued five flood warnings and several flood alerts.
The Met Office has issued an amber severe weather warning for rain - meaning "be prepared"- from 15:00 GMT on Thursday until 23:00 GMT on Saturday across southern England.The Met Office has issued an amber severe weather warning for rain - meaning "be prepared"- from 15:00 GMT on Thursday until 23:00 GMT on Saturday across southern England.
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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