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| More high winds set to batter UK | More high winds set to batter UK |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A powerful storm has hit the western and southern coasts of England, with forecasters warning of more to come. | A powerful storm has hit the western and southern coasts of England, with forecasters warning of more to come. |
| There has been widespread disruption to roads, rail and air travel, while almost 12,000 homes are without power. | There has been widespread disruption to roads, rail and air travel, while almost 12,000 homes are without power. |
| The Environment Agency said the first wave of storms only caused localised flooding but warned people should remain vigilant. | The Environment Agency said the first wave of storms only caused localised flooding but warned people should remain vigilant. |
| Further high winds are expected to hit the coasts and 41 flood warnings are in place in England and Wales. | Further high winds are expected to hit the coasts and 41 flood warnings are in place in England and Wales. |
| A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "The situation has now improved along parts of the south west and southern coasts." | A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "The situation has now improved along parts of the south west and southern coasts." |
| Spring tides | Spring tides |
| It is urging people in those areas to stay vigilant, as spring tides combining with strong winds could cause flooding. | It is urging people in those areas to stay vigilant, as spring tides combining with strong winds could cause flooding. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYOur fence has been blown down and the conservatory roof has been lifted, scary stuff!Melanie, Crawley class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4448">Send us your comments | |
| Flood warnings in Devon and Cornwall have been downgraded. | Flood warnings in Devon and Cornwall have been downgraded. |
| The main areas now at risk of flooding are the Bristol Channel, Severn Estuary and the Somerset coast. | The main areas now at risk of flooding are the Bristol Channel, Severn Estuary and the Somerset coast. |
| The Environment Agency is also using bulldozers to build up shingle to protect the coast in Sussex and Kent. | The Environment Agency is also using bulldozers to build up shingle to protect the coast in Sussex and Kent. |
| In Selsey Bill, West Sussex, a lifeboat was sent to rescue 30 people from a caravan park after flood defences were breached at high tide. A number of flights at Heathrow and Gatwick airports were cancelled, while speed restrictions were put in place on some rail lines. | In Selsey Bill, West Sussex, a lifeboat was sent to rescue 30 people from a caravan park after flood defences were breached at high tide. A number of flights at Heathrow and Gatwick airports were cancelled, while speed restrictions were put in place on some rail lines. |
| Weather closes portTanker struggles in windThousands without power | Weather closes portTanker struggles in windThousands without power |
| Flooding caused lane closures on the M25, while the Port of Dover was closed, with P&O Ferries unable to operate any of its Dover-Calais sailings. It has now reopened. | Flooding caused lane closures on the M25, while the Port of Dover was closed, with P&O Ferries unable to operate any of its Dover-Calais sailings. It has now reopened. |
| Lost power | Lost power |
| The RAC is advising drivers to be prepared for hazardous driving conditions over the next few days. | The RAC is advising drivers to be prepared for hazardous driving conditions over the next few days. |
| The M48 Severn Bridge between England and Wales was closed both ways because of high winds but one lane has since reopened. | The M48 Severn Bridge between England and Wales was closed both ways because of high winds but one lane has since reopened. |
| Small-scale flooding has affected parts of south west England, with residents putting out sandbags to protect homes in parts of Devon and Cornwall. | Small-scale flooding has affected parts of south west England, with residents putting out sandbags to protect homes in parts of Devon and Cornwall. |
| High winds have also caused considerable damage and disruption, blowing off garage roofs in Devon and west Wales, uprooting trees and bringing down power lines. | High winds have also caused considerable damage and disruption, blowing off garage roofs in Devon and west Wales, uprooting trees and bringing down power lines. |
| A woman, her three teenage daughters and their friend had to escape from a house in Upton, Dorset, after a bolt of lightning blew a hole in the roof of their semi-detached house and then caused a blaze that destroyed the roof itself. | A woman, her three teenage daughters and their friend had to escape from a house in Upton, Dorset, after a bolt of lightning blew a hole in the roof of their semi-detached house and then caused a blaze that destroyed the roof itself. |
| This image by David Brogan shows debris on Worthing beach | This image by David Brogan shows debris on Worthing beach |
| A wind speed of 82mph was recorded in Berry Head in Brixham, south Devon, as well as at the Mumbles in Swansea. | A wind speed of 82mph was recorded in Berry Head in Brixham, south Devon, as well as at the Mumbles in Swansea. |
| In south-west England, 7,000 homes are without power, with 3,000 affected in Wales and 1,700 in Sussex. | In south-west England, 7,000 homes are without power, with 3,000 affected in Wales and 1,700 in Sussex. |
| In Cornwall, more than 30 properties in the seaside towns of Looe, Fowey, Mevagissey and Flushing were hit by wind-driven high tides. | In Cornwall, more than 30 properties in the seaside towns of Looe, Fowey, Mevagissey and Flushing were hit by wind-driven high tides. |
| Lloyds TSB Insurance says it has had a 150% increase in new claims registered in the first part of the day compared with a typical Monday morning. | Lloyds TSB Insurance says it has had a 150% increase in new claims registered in the first part of the day compared with a typical Monday morning. |
| Parts of north-east England and Scotland have been hit by snowfall as well as high winds with snow ploughs needed to keep some roads open. | Parts of north-east England and Scotland have been hit by snowfall as well as high winds with snow ploughs needed to keep some roads open. |