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UK storms: 100mph winds hit in 'almost unparalleled natural crisis' UK storms: 100mph winds hit in 'almost unparalleled natural crisis'
(35 minutes later)
Winds gusting over 100mph are lashing parts of the UK in what the assistant chief of the defence staff describes an "almost unparalleled natural crisis". Hurricane-force winds are lashing parts of the UK in what the assistant chief of the defence staff describes an "almost unparalleled natural crisis".
It comes after the Met Office issues "red warnings" for north-west England and Wales, meaning there is a "risk to life" with widespread damage expected. It comes after the Met Office issued "red warnings" for north-west England and Wales, meaning there is a "risk to life" with widespread damage expected.
Power to thousands of homes has been cut off and transport has been disrupted by the hurricane-force winds. A man has died trying to move a fallen tree in Wiltshire, many homes have no power and transport is badly disrupted.
Sixteen severe flood warnings remain for Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset.Sixteen severe flood warnings remain for Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset.
Wiltshire Police say the dead man, believed to be in his 70s, was killed at Bremhill, a village between Calne and Chippenham, while trying to remove a tree that had brought down power cables.
Police believe he may have been electrocuted.
Assistant chief of the defence staff Major General Patrick Sanders, who is coordinating the armed forces response, described the floods as an "almost unparalleled natural crisis".Assistant chief of the defence staff Major General Patrick Sanders, who is coordinating the armed forces response, described the floods as an "almost unparalleled natural crisis".
There are 87,000 homes in Wales without power as a result of the strong winds and military help has been offered to First Minister Carwyn Jones.There are 87,000 homes in Wales without power as a result of the strong winds and military help has been offered to First Minister Carwyn Jones.
In the Republic of Ireland, more than a quarter of a million homes are without power. Counties Cork and Kerry have been worst affected by the high winds.In the Republic of Ireland, more than a quarter of a million homes are without power. Counties Cork and Kerry have been worst affected by the high winds.
Elsewhere in the UK, 8,100 homes are without power in south-west England and 10,000 in the West Midlands are also cut off.Elsewhere in the UK, 8,100 homes are without power in south-west England and 10,000 in the West Midlands are also cut off.
The Met Office said a wind gust of 108mph was recorded at Aberdaron, North Wales - the strongest wind gust on land of the recent storms.The Met Office said a wind gust of 108mph was recorded at Aberdaron, North Wales - 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.Gusts of 110mph were recorded at sea off the coast of the southern Irish Republic while at Mumbles Head, South Wales, 92mph was recorded.
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."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 their travel plans during the storm-force winds.They advised people to change their travel plans during the storm-force winds.
The advice came as it was announced that the West Coast Main Line will close at 19:00 GMT due to high winds. Robin Gisby, managing director for network operations at Network Rail, said it would be closed for a couple of hours.The advice came as it was announced that the West Coast Main Line will close at 19:00 GMT due to high winds. Robin Gisby, managing director for network operations at Network Rail, said it would be closed for a couple of hours.
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 its 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 its West Coast Main Line services are suspended.
The M6 Thelwall Viaduct has been closed in both directions between junctions 20 and 21 and drivers have been warned by the Highways Agency to expect delays. The M62 was also shut both ways between junction 22 and 23.The M6 Thelwall Viaduct has been closed in both directions between junctions 20 and 21 and drivers have been warned by the Highways Agency to expect delays. The M62 was also shut both ways between junction 22 and 23.
BBC forecaster Darren Bett told the News Channel red weather warnings were very rare.BBC forecaster Darren Bett told the News Channel red weather warnings were very rare.
"You usually get one or two per year. It's the highest level of alert - it's very serious, it's life threatening and it means people should take action now. It does not get any worse than that," he says."You usually get one or two per year. It's the highest level of alert - it's very serious, it's life threatening and it means people should take action now. It does not get any worse than that," he says.
The last was issued in January 2013 as heavy snow hit Wales. Before that, the most recent red warning had been issued in January 2012, for wind in Scotland.The last was issued in January 2013 as heavy snow hit Wales. Before that, the most recent red warning had been issued in January 2012, for wind in Scotland.
Other updates include:Other updates include:
In the Commons, he 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.In the Commons, he 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.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'Unprecedented' flooding
More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated along the Thames after towns and villages including Wraysbury, Chertsey and Datchet were flooded.More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated along the Thames after towns and villages including Wraysbury, Chertsey and Datchet were flooded.
Chief Supt Matt Twist, of Surrey Police, said the flooding in the county was "unprecedented" and warned that a further 2,500 homes were at risk.Chief Supt Matt Twist, of Surrey Police, said the flooding in the county was "unprecedented" and warned that a further 2,500 homes were at risk.
An 85-year-old resident forced to leave her bungalow in one Surrey village spent the night at an evacuation centre.An 85-year-old resident forced to leave her bungalow in one Surrey village spent the night at an evacuation centre.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was a "terrible experience". "I want to go, I want to get out of it [community evacuation centre] really, because you can't live like this, can you?She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was a "terrible experience". "I want to go, I want to get out of it [community evacuation centre] really, because you can't live like this, can you?
"I know everybody's in the same boat but I can't go back home.""I know everybody's in the same boat but I can't go back home."
Further evacuations have been taking place in the Staines and Egham area. Almost 6,000 properties have been flooded altogether in the past two months.Further evacuations have been taking place in the Staines and Egham area. Almost 6,000 properties have been flooded altogether in the past two months.
About 100 properties remain flooded on the Somerset Levels, where extra pumps are being brought in from the Netherlands, and groundwater flooding is also expected in the coming days in Hampshire, Kent and parts of London.About 100 properties remain flooded on the Somerset Levels, where extra pumps are being brought in from the Netherlands, and groundwater flooding is also expected in the coming days in Hampshire, Kent and parts of London.
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.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 flooding was likely to persist for weeks or even months.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 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.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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