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UK storms: Wind and rain as flooding continues UK storms: Wind and rain as flooding continues
(about 2 hours later)
Strong winds and heavy rain have lashed southern England as widespread flooding continues to hit parts of the UK.Strong winds and heavy rain have lashed southern England as widespread flooding continues to hit parts of the UK.
The Met Office has severe weather warnings in place on Saturday for the south of England, south Wales, Northern Ireland and northern Scotland. An 85-year-old man died after a freak wave hit a British cruise ship in the English Channel.
Thousands of sandbags are being used in counties including Gloucestershire, Somerset, Berkshire and Surrey. And 32 people had to be rescued from a beach restaurant in Milford on Sea, Hampshire, after wind-blown shingle smashed windows and water rushed in.
An 85-year-old male passenger died after a freak wave hit a British cruise ship in the English Channel. Severe weather warnings are in place for the south of England, south Wales, Northern Ireland and northern Scotland.
Ship airlift Winds of up 80mph (129km/h) - combined with ongoing problems due to flooding - have also caused major disruption to roads and railways.
BBC weather presenter Nick Miller said the latest storm to hit the UK left its mark as a deep area of low pressure moved north, with winds of up 80mph (129km/h). BBC weather presenter Nick Miller said the latest storm to hit the UK left its mark as a deep area of low pressure moved north.
He said: "Saturday will start very windy with bands of wet weather working south around that area of low pressure as it pulls away to the north east."He said: "Saturday will start very windy with bands of wet weather working south around that area of low pressure as it pulls away to the north east."
The Environment Agency has 22 severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - in place, as well as about 200 flood warnings and more that 300 flood alerts in England and Wales. There are a handful of flood alerts in Scotland. The Environment Agency has 21 severe flood warnings - meaning "danger to life" - in place, as well as about 200 flood warnings and more that 300 flood alerts in England and Wales. There are a handful of flood alerts in Scotland.
Water crashed through a window of cruise ship the MS Marco Polo, injuring several passengers, as it headed for its home port of Tilbury in Essex. Ship airlift
Several passengers were injured when water crashed through a window of cruise ship the MS Marco Polo, as it headed for its home port of Tilbury in Essex.
The man, and a woman in her 70s, were airlifted off the ship but he later died.The man, and a woman in her 70s, were airlifted off the ship but he later died.
Emergency services and the Army rescued 32 people trapped in a beachfront restaurant in Milford on Sea, Hampshire, after wind-blown shingle smashed windows and a tidal surge flooded the ground floor. In Milford on Sea, the Army had to be called in to help emergency services rescue diners at a beachfront restaurant.
Conditions were described as "extremely dangerous" but police said there were no serious injuries. The BBC's David Fenton said rocks and shingle from the beach were flung at the building, smashing 6ft plate glass windows, as well as the windows of Army and fire trucks.
Police Scotland said two hill walkers who became disorientated in poor weather conditions at the summit of Ben Nevis on Friday were found safe and well. 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.
Cancelled trainsCancelled trains
The Highways Agency said the QE2 Bridge and the Sheppey Crossing in Kent would remain closed until high winds eased, which is expected to be around mid-afternoon on Saturday. The Energy Networks Association said more than 41,000 properties were without power across Wales and southern England, although more than half a million homes had been reconnected since Wednesday.
The M40 has been closed in several places by fallen trees and a number of major bridges are shut because of high winds.
The Highways Agency said the QE2 Bridge and the Sheppey Crossing in Kent would remain closed until the winds eased, which is expected to be around mid-afternoon on Saturday.
South West Trains has cancelled all services before 08:00 GMT so lines can be checked for fallen trees and other obstructions.South West Trains has cancelled all services before 08:00 GMT so lines can be checked for fallen trees and other obstructions.
In south-west England, First Great Western said weather conditions had made it too dangerous to run any trains in Cornwall.In south-west England, First Great Western said weather conditions had made it too dangerous to run any trains in Cornwall.
A landslip blocked the line between London and Redhill near Merstham Tunnel, causing delays for thousands of passengers.A landslip blocked the line between London and Redhill near Merstham Tunnel, causing delays for thousands of passengers.
The Energy Networks Association said further strong winds meant more than 41,000 properties were without power across Wales and southern England.
More than half a million homes had been reconnected since Wednesday, it added.
Shipping containers protecting the damaged seafront railway at Dawlish in Devon were breached, leaving properties at risk of flooding.Shipping containers protecting the damaged seafront railway at Dawlish in Devon were breached, leaving properties at risk of flooding.
The Environment Agency confirmed that sirens had sounded on Portland, where there was a severe flood warning for Chiswell.The Environment Agency confirmed that sirens had sounded on Portland, where there was a severe flood warning for Chiswell.
Live flood warnings from the Environment AgencyLive flood warnings from the Environment Agency
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.
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".
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."
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.
Prime Minister David Cameron has said the government will "fight at every front to help people" hit by floods.
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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