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UK storms: Man dies amid 'almost unparalleled natural crisis' UK storms: Man dies amid 'almost unparalleled natural crisis'
(about 2 hours later)
A man has died apparently trying to clear a fallen tree as hurricane-force winds batter parts of the UK.A man has died apparently trying to clear a fallen tree as hurricane-force winds batter parts of the UK.
The dead man, believed to be in his 70s, was killed after the tree brought down power cables in Wiltshire.The dead man, believed to be in his 70s, was killed after the tree brought down power cables in Wiltshire.
Gusts of over 100mph were recorded as Met Office "red warnings", the first of the winter, were issued. Sixteen severe flood warnings remain in place.Gusts of over 100mph were recorded as Met Office "red warnings", the first of the winter, were issued. Sixteen severe flood warnings remain in place.
Power and transport networks have been badly hit, in what has been called an "almost unparalleled natural crisis".Power and transport networks have been badly hit, in what has been called an "almost unparalleled natural crisis".
Residents in many parts of the UK have been warned not to go out.Residents in many parts of the UK have been warned not to go out.
Severe flooding
Wiltshire Police say the dead man was killed in a suspected electrocution in Bremhill, a village between Calne and Chippenham, on Wednesday afternoon.Wiltshire Police say the dead man was killed in a suspected electrocution in Bremhill, a village between Calne and Chippenham, on Wednesday afternoon.
The severe flood warnings remain for Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset, which have already been hit by severe flooding, with hundreds of homes evacuated. Severe flood warnings remain for Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset, which have already been hit by severe flooding, with hundreds of homes evacuated.
Assistant chief of the defence staff Major General Patrick Sanders, who is co-ordinating the armed forces response, described the ongoing severe weather as an "almost unparalleled natural crisis". Surrey Fire & Rescue said it had rescued 250 people from the floods on Wednesday.
Around 87,000 homes in Wales and more than a quarter of a million in Republic of Ireland have been left without power, while 3,000 homes in south-west England and 13,000 in the West Midlands are affected. A total of 850 people have been rescued in the county since Sunday.
In northern England, 10,000 homes in Cheshire, 5,500 homes in north Shropshire and 2,500 homes in The Wirral are without power. 112mph gust
As of 21:00 GMT on Wednesday, about 115,000 homes in parts of England and Wales were still without power.
The figure included about 52,000 in mid and north Wales, and 23,000 in south Wales.
About 13,000 homes in the West Midlands were still without power while 10,000 homes in Cheshire, 2,500 homes in the Wirral and 5,500 homes in north Shropshire were without power.
Some 3,000 homes in south-west England remained without power.
Phil Davies, network service manager for Western Power, said his engineers were facing the most difficult conditions they had ever seen.Phil Davies, network service manager for Western Power, said his engineers were facing the most difficult conditions they had ever seen.
The Met Office said a wind gust of 108mph was recorded at Aberdaron, North Wales, earlier on Wednesday - the strongest wind gust on land of the recent storms. The Met Office said a wind gust of 112mph was recorded at Great Dun Fell, in the Pennines - the strongest wind gust on land of the recent storms.
Gusts of 110mph were recorded at sea off the coast of the southern Irish Republic while at Mumbles Head, South Wales, 92mph was recorded. Winds of 96mph winds were recorded at the Needles, off the Isle of Wight. Gusts of 92mph were recorded at Mumbles Head, South Wales. Winds of 96mph winds were recorded at the Needles, off the Isle of Wight.
Cables down
An East Coast train travelling from Kings Cross to Edinburgh is stranded on the North York moors, between Darlington and North Allerton, with hundreds of passengers on board.
It is believed a pantograph, which transfers power from overhead lines to the train, has blown down.
Passenger Carol Machin told BBC Radio 5 live: "Literally, we haven't moved - it's a complete accident, there's nothing you can do.
"There's electrical line here, there and everywhere.
"It's just frustrating because the weather's shocking and you just want to get home at this time of night when you've come from London - it's a long journey."
She said she had "not a clue" when she would arrive at her final destination, Sunderland train station.
Electric power cables and trees have been brought down by winds of up to 94mph, blocking roads in Devon and Cornwall.Electric power cables and trees have been brought down by winds of up to 94mph, blocking roads in Devon and Cornwall.
The Met Office said: "Winds of this strength can cause widespread structural damage, bringing down trees and also leading to loss of power supplies."
They advised people to change travel plans during the storm-force winds, as the weather brought extensive disruption to roads and railways.
A section of the west coast main line in Lancashire was closed between 19:00 and 21:00 GMT, while the M6 at Thelwall Viaduct was closed in both directions between junctions 20 and 21. The M62 was also shut both ways between junction 22 and 23.A section of the west coast main line in Lancashire was closed between 19:00 and 21:00 GMT, while the M6 at Thelwall Viaduct was closed in both directions between junctions 20 and 21. The M62 was also shut both ways between junction 22 and 23.
At Crewe railway station about 500 passengers were evacuated and taken to a nearby hotel after roof panels fell on to overhead lines and caused a fire, leaving trains stranded outside the station.At Crewe railway station about 500 passengers were evacuated and taken to a nearby hotel after roof panels fell on to overhead lines and caused a fire, leaving trains stranded outside the station.
Becky Kelly, a BBC producer who was on one of the halted trains, said: "I was stuck on a train going to Liverpool and we were told very quickly to evacuate and we were rushed off the train and rushed outside the station. Then fire and police arrived.Becky Kelly, a BBC producer who was on one of the halted trains, said: "I was stuck on a train going to Liverpool and we were told very quickly to evacuate and we were rushed off the train and rushed outside the station. Then fire and police arrived.
"We were told overhead power cables had gone on fire.""We were told overhead power cables had gone on fire."
The station was later opened to allow stranded passengers to get off their trains.The station was later opened to allow stranded passengers to get off their trains.
West Country rail services are severely affected by the severe flooding, while services in Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and Surrey are heavily disrupted. West Country rail services have been severely affected by the severe flooding, while services in Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and Surrey have been heavily disrupted.
Virgin Trains has advised all passengers not to attempt travel and there are major disruptions for other rail services, with severe delays between Reading and London due to flooding near Maidenhead. Most of Virgin's west coast main line services are suspended. Virgin Trains has advised all passengers not to attempt travel and there are major disruptions for other rail services, with severe delays between Reading and London due to flooding near Maidenhead. Most of Virgin's west coast main line services were suspended.
The rare Met Office red warnings, of wind posing a "risk to life", expired at 21:00 GMT. Before Wednesday, the last red warning was issued in January 2013 as heavy snow hit Wales; before that, a red warning of wind was issued in January 2012 in Scotland.The rare Met Office red warnings, of wind posing a "risk to life", expired at 21:00 GMT. Before Wednesday, the last red warning was issued in January 2013 as heavy snow hit Wales; before that, a red warning of wind was issued in January 2012 in Scotland.
Meanwhile, motorists have been advised to avoid the A9 in Scotland after several stretches were affected by snow and ice.
The road was closed at Dalwhinnie after an accident between a van and a lorry, with emergency services also dealing with a number of other incidents.
Other updates include:Other updates include:
In the Commons, Prime Minister David Cameron repeated his pledge that "money is no object in this relief effort" as he unveiled a package of measures to help businesses and homeowners repairing flood-damaged property.
Environment Agency chief executive Paul Leinster told the committee that water levels could rise to "higher than current levels" over the weekend, with particular concerns about the Thames between Oxford to Maidenhead and also below Maidenhead.
'Unprecedented' flooding
More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated along the Thames after towns and villages including Wraysbury, Chertsey and Datchet were flooded.
As well as 16 severe flood warnings, the Environment Agency has also issued about 400 less serious flood warnings and alerts, mostly in southern England and the Midlands.As well as 16 severe flood warnings, the Environment Agency has also issued about 400 less serious flood warnings and alerts, mostly in southern England and the Midlands.
The agency said it looked "increasingly likely" there would be problems along the River Severn and River Wye.
And it said groundwater levels were so high in some parts of the country that flooding was likely to persist for weeks or even months.
Are you in the affected areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the affected areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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