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UK floods: High winds and waves for southern England UK floods: High winds and waves for southern England
(about 2 hours later)
High winds and huge waves are battering the south coast of England as widespread flooding continues.High winds and huge waves are battering the south coast of England as widespread flooding continues.
"Severe" flood warnings have been issued for many stretches of the coast from Cornwall to Hampshire."Severe" flood warnings have been issued for many stretches of the coast from Cornwall to Hampshire.
The Met Office has warned of 80mph gusts of wind across south and south-east England, and all train services west of Plymouth have been cancelled.The Met Office has warned of 80mph gusts of wind across south and south-east England, and all train services west of Plymouth have been cancelled.
Flood waters had "stabilised" in many areas, but heavy rain earlier has led to warnings of further flooding.Flood waters had "stabilised" in many areas, but heavy rain earlier has led to warnings of further flooding.
Thousands of sandbags have been piled up to protect homes and businesses in counties including Gloucester, Somerset, Berkshire and Surrey.Thousands of sandbags have been piled up to protect homes and businesses in counties including Gloucester, Somerset, Berkshire and Surrey.
Princes William and Harry joined the effort to pile sandbags in Datchet, Berkshire.Princes William and Harry joined the effort to pile sandbags in Datchet, Berkshire.
The Environment Agency said earlier that 30,000 sandbags had been available to properties near the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey.The Environment Agency said earlier that 30,000 sandbags had been available to properties near the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey.
It has issued 24 severe flood warnings covering parts of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey.It has issued 24 severe flood warnings covering parts of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey.
The agency confirmed that sirens had sounded on Portland, where there is a severe flood warning for Chiswell.The agency confirmed that sirens had sounded on Portland, where there is a severe flood warning for Chiswell.
Shipping containers protecting the damaged seafront railway at Dawlish in Devon have been breached, leaving properties at risk of flooding.Shipping containers protecting the damaged seafront railway at Dawlish in Devon have been breached, leaving properties at risk of flooding.
Separately, an 85-year-old passenger died after a freak wave hit the British cruise ship Marco Polo in the English Channel. The man, along with a woman in her 70s, had been airlifted off the vessel. A number of other passengers received minor injuries and were treated on board. Separately, an 85-year-old passenger died after a freak wave hit the British cruise ship Marco Polo in the English Channel. The man, along with a woman in her 70s, had been airlifted off the vessel. A number of other passengers received minor injuries and were treated on board
Police said 30 people were trapped in a seafront cafe at Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, where rocks were thrown up from the beach and smashed windows. An evacuation operation was under way.
Police and mountain rescue team volunteers have been searching for two hill walkers missing on Ben Nevis. They are believed to have become disorientated in poor weather near the summit. The search will resume at first light.
There was widespread rain and some snow earlier, but BBC Weather's Nick Miller said the focus was now "increasingly on wind", with "damaging" gusts which could bring down trees, especially in southern England.There was widespread rain and some snow earlier, but BBC Weather's Nick Miller said the focus was now "increasingly on wind", with "damaging" gusts which could bring down trees, especially in southern England.
He said conditions would gradually improve on Saturday although there would be some heavy showers, with snow on higher ground in Scotland and northern England.He said conditions would gradually improve on Saturday although there would be some heavy showers, with snow on higher ground in Scotland and northern England.
Sunday would be "much better", with widespread dry weather, he said.Sunday would be "much better", with widespread dry weather, he said.
Weather systems expected in the following week will be less severe and there should be longer dry spells between them, he said.Weather systems expected in the following week will be less severe and there should be longer dry spells between them, he said.
Live flood warnings from the Environment AgencyLive flood warnings from the Environment Agency
The Energy Networks Association said earlier that more than 16,000 properties in Wales were without power following Wednesday's winds of up to 112mph.The Energy Networks Association said earlier that more than 16,000 properties in Wales were without power following Wednesday's winds of up to 112mph.
But it said "further strong winds" had meant that number had risen to more than 41,000 "across Wales and southern England".But it said "further strong winds" had meant that number had risen to more than 41,000 "across Wales and southern England".
More than half a million homes have been reconnected since Wednesday, it added.More than half a million homes have been reconnected since Wednesday, it added.
In south-west England, First Great Western said weather conditions made it too dangerous to run any trains in Cornwall.In south-west England, First Great Western said weather conditions made it too dangerous to run any trains in Cornwall.
It said coach companies had refused to run rail replacement services in the county due to the "unsafe" conditions.It said coach companies had refused to run rail replacement services in the county due to the "unsafe" conditions.
There is widespread disruption on UK railways, and Network Rail is advising customers to check before travelling.There is widespread disruption on UK railways, and Network Rail is advising customers to check before travelling.
A landslip has blocked the line between London and Redhill near Merstham Tunnel, causing delays for thousands of passengers.A landslip has blocked the line between London and Redhill near Merstham Tunnel, causing delays for thousands of passengers.
South West Trains is advising against all but essential travel on Friday night, as several lines have been blocked by fallen trees.South West Trains is advising against all but essential travel on Friday night, as several lines have been blocked by fallen trees.
Some roads are closed because of flooding. See BBC Travel News for more.Some roads are closed because of flooding. See BBC Travel News for more.
The Highways Agency said the QE2 Bridge and the Sheppey Crossing would remain closed until high winds eased, which is expected to be about mid-afternoon on Saturday.The Highways Agency said the QE2 Bridge and the Sheppey Crossing would remain closed until high winds eased, which is expected to be about mid-afternoon on Saturday.
In other developments:In other developments:
The Environment Agency said flood levels on the Thames had stabilised after a fairly dry day on Thursday, but Friday's rainfall would cause levels to rise again and stay high for several days.The Environment Agency said flood levels on the Thames had stabilised after a fairly dry day on Thursday, but Friday's rainfall would cause levels to rise again and stay high for several days.
Programme director Peter Willison said: "This remains a very live event. I expect we will see further property flooding."Programme director Peter Willison said: "This remains a very live event. I expect we will see further property flooding."
Alex Tribick from the Spelthorne Business Forum in Surrey said the local currency had "changed from the pound to the sandbag".Alex Tribick from the Spelthorne Business Forum in Surrey said the local currency had "changed from the pound to the sandbag".
Earlier, Prime Minister David Cameron said the government would "fight at every front to help people" hit by floods.Earlier, Prime Minister David Cameron said the government would "fight at every front to help people" hit by floods.
He said money would be no object in a "massive national effort", saying: "I want people to know that the government absolutely stands behind this relief effort."He said money would be no object in a "massive national effort", saying: "I want people to know that the government absolutely stands behind this relief effort."
As well as an amber warning for wind in southern England, the Met Office has issued yellow warnings for rain, wind and snow for much of the UK in the coming hours.As well as an amber warning for wind in southern England, the Met Office has issued yellow warnings for rain, wind and snow for much of the UK in the coming hours.
Some parts of the Somerset Levels have been flooded for several weeks, while areas near the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey have seen major flooding in recent days.Some parts of the Somerset Levels have been flooded for several weeks, while areas near the Thames in Berkshire and Surrey have seen major flooding in recent days.
As well as the 24 severe flood warnings, the Environment Agency has issued more than 400 less serious flood warnings and alerts, mostly in southern England and the Midlands.As well as the 24 severe flood warnings, the Environment Agency has issued more than 400 less serious flood warnings and alerts, mostly in southern England and the Midlands.
Are you in the affected areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading UK weather.Are you in the affected areas? Have you been affected by the flooding? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading UK weather.
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