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UK storms: Two die as fierce storms continue UK storms: Two die as fierce storms continue
(35 minutes later)
Two people have died as strong winds and heavy rain hit southern England, adding to problems already caused by widespread storms and flooding.Two people have died as strong winds and heavy rain hit southern England, adding to problems already caused by widespread storms and flooding.
An 85-year-old man died after a freak wave hit a British cruise ship in the English Channel.An 85-year-old man died after a freak wave hit a British cruise ship in the English Channel.
In central London, a 49-year-old female taxi driver was killed when her car was crushed by falling masonry. Mother-of-three Julie Sillitoe, 49, died when the taxi she was driving was hit by masonry in central London.
More than 100,000 homes are without power and severe weather warnings are in place for much of the UK.More than 100,000 homes are without power and severe weather warnings are in place for much of the UK.
Energy Minister Michael Fallon said power companies had "upped their game" since the storms around Christmas.Energy Minister Michael Fallon said power companies had "upped their game" since the storms around Christmas.
"I think they're communicating better, but they were coping last night with one of the worst nights of the winter," he told the BBC."I think they're communicating better, but they were coping last night with one of the worst nights of the winter," he told the BBC.
Winds of up to 83mph (133km/h) - combined with ongoing problems due to flooding - have also caused major disruption to roads and railways. Winds of up to 83mph (130km/h) - combined with ongoing problems due to flooding - have also caused major disruption to roads and railways.
Portland Coastguard said there had been a "large" cliff fall at West Bay, Dorset.Portland Coastguard said there had been a "large" cliff fall at West Bay, Dorset.
Watch manager Andy Jenkins said: "We are trying to determine if anyone is trapped underneath the landslip. We would urge any witness to get in touch."Watch manager Andy Jenkins said: "We are trying to determine if anyone is trapped underneath the landslip. We would urge any witness to get in touch."
The government's emergency committee, Cobra, is expected to meet on Saturday and Sunday to discuss the situation.The government's emergency committee, Cobra, is expected to meet on Saturday and Sunday to discuss the situation.
Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: "My thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the people killed in the storms last night."Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: "My thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the people killed in the storms last night."
Yellow "be aware" weather warnings of icy driving conditions are now in place for most of the UK. Across the south of England, Wales and the Midlands there are also warnings of heavy rain. Yellow "be aware" weather warnings of icy driving conditions will be in effect from 20:00 GMT to 10:00 on Saturday for most of the UK. Across the south of England, Wales and the Midlands there are also warnings of heavy rain.
BBC weather presenter Louise Lear said conditions would improve through the course of Saturday with winds easing and some sunshine developing, although temperatures would drop significantly overnight.BBC weather presenter Louise Lear said conditions would improve through the course of Saturday with winds easing and some sunshine developing, although temperatures would drop significantly overnight.
Sunday is expected to be a dry day for most areas and while rain will return on Sunday night into Monday, it is likely to be much less intense than in recent weeks, she added.Sunday is expected to be a dry day for most areas and while rain will return on Sunday night into Monday, it is likely to be much less intense than in recent weeks, she added.
The Environment Agency has 16 severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - in place, as well more than 150 flood warnings and more that 260 flood alerts in England and Wales. There are a handful of flood alerts in Scotland. The Environment Agency has 16 severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - in place, as well more than 150 flood warnings and more that 260 flood alerts in England and Wales.
Several passengers were injured when water crashed through a window of the cruise ship, MS Marco Polo, as it headed for its home port of Tilbury in Essex.Several passengers were injured when water crashed through a window of the cruise ship, MS Marco Polo, as it headed for its home port of Tilbury in Essex.
A man aged 85 and a woman in her 70s were airlifted off the ship, but the man later died.A man aged 85 and a woman in her 70s were airlifted off the ship, but the man later died.
In central London, close to Holborn Underground station, a Skoda Octavia minicab was crushed when part of a building collapsed on to it at about 23:00 GMT on Friday. In central London, near Holborn Underground station, a Skoda Octavia minicab was crushed when part of a building collapsed on to it at about 23:00 GMT on Friday.
The female driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passengers, a 25-year-old man and 24-year-old woman, were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Driver Julie Sillitoe, from north London, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passengers, a 25-year-old man and 24-year-old woman, were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Live flood warnings from the Environment AgencyLive flood warnings from the Environment Agency
In Milford on Sea, in Hampshire, the Army had to be called in to help emergency services rescue 32 people at the beachfront Marine Restaurant after wind-blown shingle smashed windows and a tidal surge flooded the ground floor.In Milford on Sea, in Hampshire, the Army had to be called in to help emergency services rescue 32 people at the beachfront Marine Restaurant after wind-blown shingle smashed windows and a tidal surge flooded the ground floor.
Conditions were described as "extremely dangerous" but police said there had been no serious injuries in the incident.Conditions were described as "extremely dangerous" but police said there had been no serious injuries in the incident.
Elsewhere, two hill walkers who became disorientated in poor weather conditions at the summit of Ben Nevis on Friday had been found safe and well, Police Scotland said on Saturday morning.
In other developments:In other developments:
Among a host of travel problems, the westbound M40 between junctions 6-8a reopened at about 13:30 GMT on Saturday, having been closed in the early hours because of a fallen tree. The westbound M2 between junctions 7-5 remains closed.
The M48 Severn Crossing was shut for a number of hours owing to high winds, but reopened around lunchtime on Saturday.
Operation Stack is also in place on the coastbound M20. Lorries are queuing on the carriageway as they wait to cross the Channel after bad weather disrupted sea services.
The Highways Agency said the QE2 Bridge and the Sheppey Crossing in Kent would remain closed until the winds eased further.
There are major problems on many rail routes, with Devon and Cornwall worst affected and many services in the two counties suspended altogether.There are major problems on many rail routes, with Devon and Cornwall worst affected and many services in the two counties suspended altogether.
Network Rail said it had been "a vicious night" with more than 120 trees falling on the West Coast Mainline, and operator First Great Western advised against any travel unless absolutely necessary.Network Rail said it had been "a vicious night" with more than 120 trees falling on the West Coast Mainline, and operator First Great Western advised against any travel unless absolutely necessary.
A landslip has blocked the line between London and Redhill near Merstham Tunnel, causing disruptions and cancellations on Southern trains.
And there are cancellations on Virgin services along the West Coast Mainline due to overhead line problems caused by a fallen tree.
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.
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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