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UK storms: Homes without power and travel chaos UK storms: Homes left without power, and travel disrupted
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of homes are without power and commuters are facing major travel disruption after hurricane-force winds battered the UK on Wednesday. Tens of thousands of homes are without power and commuters are facing some travel disruption after hurricane-force winds battered the UK on Wednesday.
While forecasters predict some respite from stormy weather on Thursday, another Atlantic low could bring gales of more than 80mph from Friday. Forecasters are predicting some respite on Thursday from stormy weather but another Atlantic low could bring gales of more than 80mph from Friday onwards.
Severe flood warnings remain for Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset - all already hit by severe flooding. Sixteen severe flood warnings remain for Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset - all already hit by severe flooding.
Train services in parts of the UK have been cancelled and roads are closed. Train services in parts of the UK are cancelled and some roads are closed.
On Wednesday afternoon a man, thought to be in his 70s, was killed in a suspected electrocution in Bremhill, Wiltshire, after a tree brought down power cables. Prime Minister David Cameron will chair the first meeting of a new Cabinet committee on flood recovery later.
The Met Office said a wind gust of 112mph was recorded at Great Dun Fell, in the Pennines, while a rare "red warning" for wind was issued. It comes after road and rail travel was affected by high winds, which closed major routes and caused delays and cancellations throughout Wednesday.
A man, thought to be in his 70s, died in a suspected electrocution while attempting to move a tree brought down by power cables in Wiltshire.
Gusts of up to 112mph were recorded. However a rare "red warning" for wind is no longer in place.
Power outPower out
The Energy Networks Association, representing UK energy companies, said about 130,000 remained without power late on Wednesday night. The Energy Networks Association, representing UK energy companies, said about 130,000 homes and businesses remained without power late on Wednesday night.
The figure included about 52,000 in mid and north Wales, and 19,000 in south Wales. That figure includes:
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 remained affected. Energy companies said engineers had worked through the night to try to restore power.
Some 3,000 homes in south-west England remained without power.
Energy companies said engineers were working through the night to restore power.
Bridge closed
Travel problems include:Travel problems include:
Sunshine expected Sunny spells
The Met Office has issued various yellow "be aware" wind, ice and snow warnings for Thursday, for many parts of the UK. The Met Office has issued various yellow "be aware" rain, wind, ice and snow warnings for many parts of the UK.
BBC weather forecaster Jay Wynne said Thursday would be a better day, although it would still be quite blustery with a mixture of rain, sleet and some snow in northern England. BBC weather forecaster Jay Wynne said Thursday would be a better day than Wednesday, although it would still be quite blustery with a mixture of rain, sleet and some snow in northern England.
While it would be quite choppy on some coasts, there would be spells of sunshine in areas including the south. While it would be quite choppy on some coasts, there would be spells of sunshine in areas including the south, he said.
But things would go downhill again on Friday with strong gales and the possibility of significant snowfall in Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England. But things would go down hill again on Friday with strong gales and the possibility of significant snowfall in Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England.
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.
Surrey Fire & Rescue said it had rescued 250 people from the floods on Wednesday. Surrey Fire and Rescue said it had rescued 250 people from the floods on Wednesday. A total of 850 people have been rescued in the county since Sunday.
A total of 850 people have been rescued in the county since Sunday. Hundreds of members of the armed forces are continuing to help those affected by the flooding and 2,000 remain ready to help.
Environment Agency programme director Toby Willison, said a number of rivers in the South East and South West, including parts of the Thames, were at their their highest recorded levels. Environment Agency programme director Toby Willison said a number of rivers in south-east and south-west England, including parts of the Thames, were at their highest recorded levels.
"This is an exceptional event, it was the highest rainfall in January since 1776 and we think it is likely December, January and February will be the highest for 250 years," he added."This is an exceptional event, it was the highest rainfall in January since 1776 and we think it is likely December, January and February will be the highest for 250 years," he added.
Prime Minister David Cameron will chair the inaugural meeting of the new cabinet committee on flood recovery later.
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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