This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-weather-britain-prepares-for-yet-another-storm-of-100mph-winds-rain-snow--and-even-worse-flooding-9122895.html
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK weather: Britain prepares for yet another storm of 100mph winds, rain, snow - and even worse flooding | UK weather: Britain prepares for yet another storm of 100mph winds, rain, snow - and even worse flooding |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Britain has been warned to prepare for the arrival of a new, more severe storm today bringing heavy rain, blizzards and winds of up to 100mph sweeping across the country. | Britain has been warned to prepare for the arrival of a new, more severe storm today bringing heavy rain, blizzards and winds of up to 100mph sweeping across the country. |
| Dubbed “Wild Wednesday”, it comes as the worst in a series of low pressure systems that will see some parts of the UK experience a month’s rainfall by the end of the week. | Dubbed “Wild Wednesday”, it comes as the worst in a series of low pressure systems that will see some parts of the UK experience a month’s rainfall by the end of the week. |
| The Met Office has amber severe weather warnings in place for large parts of the south, south-west and up into northern England, and has upgraded its alert for the expected impact of the storm to the highest possible level. | |
| Forecasters said exposed parts of the Welsh coast could be hit with gusts of up to 100mph, and large waves are expected. Even away from the coast, it said winds across much of the country could reach 70mph. | Forecasters said exposed parts of the Welsh coast could be hit with gusts of up to 100mph, and large waves are expected. Even away from the coast, it said winds across much of the country could reach 70mph. |
| With the likelihood that trees and structures will be knocked down by the force of the storm, the Met Office said the public “should be prepared for the risk of disruption to transport and power supplies”. | With the likelihood that trees and structures will be knocked down by the force of the storm, the Met Office said the public “should be prepared for the risk of disruption to transport and power supplies”. |
| Floods have been the main cause for concern in much of southern and south-western England in recent weeks, and relief efforts will not be helped by the expected substantial rainfall today. | Floods have been the main cause for concern in much of southern and south-western England in recent weeks, and relief efforts will not be helped by the expected substantial rainfall today. |
| Between 15 and 40mm (0.6-1.5 ins) of rain are forecast in the next couple of days across many southern and western areas, with as much as 70mm (2.75 ins) expected by Friday in the already sodden West Country, south Wales, western Scotland and Northern Ireland. | Between 15 and 40mm (0.6-1.5 ins) of rain are forecast in the next couple of days across many southern and western areas, with as much as 70mm (2.75 ins) expected by Friday in the already sodden West Country, south Wales, western Scotland and Northern Ireland. |
| Some 600 troops have now been deployed to assist with flood protection and relief, with around 1,000 on standby, and the Prime Minister David Cameron said “thousands more” were available for tasks like filling and moving sandbags, getting medical assistance to the sick and helping vulnerable people. | Some 600 troops have now been deployed to assist with flood protection and relief, with around 1,000 on standby, and the Prime Minister David Cameron said “thousands more” were available for tasks like filling and moving sandbags, getting medical assistance to the sick and helping vulnerable people. |
| Residents in Staines, Surrey were evacuated from their flood-hit homes during the night, Sky News said, while a primary school in Wraysbury, Berkshire, was reportedly turned into a “24/7 control centre” for residents affected by flooding. | Residents in Staines, Surrey were evacuated from their flood-hit homes during the night, Sky News said, while a primary school in Wraysbury, Berkshire, was reportedly turned into a “24/7 control centre” for residents affected by flooding. |
| Army personnel were on the streets during the night to help police, and worked with police to set up checkpoints to monitor who comes and goes in the area following fears of looting at the homes of flood victims. | Army personnel were on the streets during the night to help police, and worked with police to set up checkpoints to monitor who comes and goes in the area following fears of looting at the homes of flood victims. |
| Lucy Foster, who has been helping to co-ordinate the operation, told the BBC morale and energy had been low in Wraysbury because the village had been looking after itself for so long. | Lucy Foster, who has been helping to co-ordinate the operation, told the BBC morale and energy had been low in Wraysbury because the village had been looking after itself for so long. |
| She said: “Finally we've got the boys and girls that we need - we've got the Army, the police force, the fire service and getting a lot of support from them and a lot of direction from them, which is what was needed.” | She said: “Finally we've got the boys and girls that we need - we've got the Army, the police force, the fire service and getting a lot of support from them and a lot of direction from them, which is what was needed.” |
| The Environment Agency said rises in the level of the River Thames are among the biggest threat over coming days. | The Environment Agency said rises in the level of the River Thames are among the biggest threat over coming days. |
| Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire, as well as parts of Surrey, are now considered at risk, on top of the 1,000 properties reported as flooded over the past week. | Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire, as well as parts of Surrey, are now considered at risk, on top of the 1,000 properties reported as flooded over the past week. |
| Since the beginning of December, a total of 5,800 premises have flooded - although the agency also stressed that 1.3 million have been protected by defences. | Since the beginning of December, a total of 5,800 premises have flooded - although the agency also stressed that 1.3 million have been protected by defences. |
| EA senior flood adviser Kate Marks warned it was “increasingly likely” that there would also be problems along the River Severn and River Wye. | EA senior flood adviser Kate Marks warned it was “increasingly likely” that there would also be problems along the River Severn and River Wye. |
| Sixteen severe flood warnings - danger to life - remained in place in Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset this morning, with a further 120 or so flood warnings and almost 230 flood alerts. | Sixteen severe flood warnings - danger to life - remained in place in Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset this morning, with a further 120 or so flood warnings and almost 230 flood alerts. |
| Mr Cameron acknowledged that it would take a “depressingly long period of time” for the country to get back to normal. | Mr Cameron acknowledged that it would take a “depressingly long period of time” for the country to get back to normal. |