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Storm battering southern Britain Storm battering southern Britain
(10 minutes later)
A severe storm is sweeping Britain, bringing heavy rain, fierce winds and treacherous driving conditions.A severe storm is sweeping Britain, bringing heavy rain, fierce winds and treacherous driving conditions.
The Environment Agency has issued 93 flood warnings, mostly in southern England, as police and firefighters handle hundreds of 999 calls.The Environment Agency has issued 93 flood warnings, mostly in southern England, as police and firefighters handle hundreds of 999 calls.
In Somerset 20 people stranded in flood water were rescued from their cars.In Somerset 20 people stranded in flood water were rescued from their cars.
Meanwhile, heavy snow has been falling in the Midlands, east Wales and Gloucestershire, where 350 homes have been left without electricity. Heavy snow has hit the Midlands, east Wales and Gloucestershire. In Gloucestershire, some 1,000 homes have been left without electricity.
Craig Woolhouse, head of flood defences at the Environment Agency, told the BBC a combination of weather conditions - including heavy rain, snow melt and "tide-locking" of rivers caused by high tides - was causing the flooding in southern England.Craig Woolhouse, head of flood defences at the Environment Agency, told the BBC a combination of weather conditions - including heavy rain, snow melt and "tide-locking" of rivers caused by high tides - was causing the flooding in southern England.
WEATHER MAP BBC Weather site: UK forecast WEATHER MAP BBC Weather site: UK forecast class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7880800.stm">In pictures: Floods and snowfall
But he added: "We are not going to see severe flooding like we saw in summer 2007. Over the evening we have seen a number of isolated properties flooding and standing water on roads, but nowhere near the number of properties we had back in the summer [of 2007]."But he added: "We are not going to see severe flooding like we saw in summer 2007. Over the evening we have seen a number of isolated properties flooding and standing water on roads, but nowhere near the number of properties we had back in the summer [of 2007]."
Emily Highmore, from electricity distribution company Central Networks, said engineers were working to repair the system.Emily Highmore, from electricity distribution company Central Networks, said engineers were working to repair the system.
She told BBC Radio 5 live: "What we're seeing is very large amounts of snow that are either landing on major bits of kit and giving us problems there, or it's actually weighing down tree branches and then bringing down overhead lines themselves."She told BBC Radio 5 live: "What we're seeing is very large amounts of snow that are either landing on major bits of kit and giving us problems there, or it's actually weighing down tree branches and then bringing down overhead lines themselves."
As heavy rain swept across southern England, some areas recorded close to their monthly average rainfall for February in just 24 hours.As heavy rain swept across southern England, some areas recorded close to their monthly average rainfall for February in just 24 hours.
However the BBC weather centre said the worst of the rain and snow would have passed by late morning and mid-afternoon.However the BBC weather centre said the worst of the rain and snow would have passed by late morning and mid-afternoon.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Bristol International Airport was closed overnight due to deteriorating weather conditions and snowfall, but following snow clearance the airport has re-opened and expects to operate its full flight schedule.Bristol International Airport was closed overnight due to deteriorating weather conditions and snowfall, but following snow clearance the airport has re-opened and expects to operate its full flight schedule.
Fire crews in Somerset had to rescue about 20 people from their cars in flood water in Taunton and Yeovil and some rivers in the county, including the Cam in West Camel, have burst their banks.Fire crews in Somerset had to rescue about 20 people from their cars in flood water in Taunton and Yeovil and some rivers in the county, including the Cam in West Camel, have burst their banks.
Homes floodedHomes flooded
Both bridges over the Severn Estuary were closed to traffic overnight after a number of vehicles were hit by falling ice, however they have now re-opened.Both bridges over the Severn Estuary were closed to traffic overnight after a number of vehicles were hit by falling ice, however they have now re-opened.
And 25 schools have closed in south Wales with snow and ice causing problems around the Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen areas.And 25 schools have closed in south Wales with snow and ice causing problems around the Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen areas.
STORM FALLOUT SNAPSHOT 160 fire and rescue callouts, West Sussex70 fire and rescue callouts, East SussexRoads closed in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Hampshire and Sussex52 Gloucestershire schools closed4.7in (12cm) of snow Bristol2.3in (6cm) of rain in Scilly IslesRoads in Oxfordshire flooded, one school closedOvernight flooding in Fareham, HampshireMain road on the Isle of Wight closed50mph winds in coastal areasScottish temperatures fall to -14C More than 20 rescued from floodsFlooding evacuates Essex homesSTORM FALLOUT SNAPSHOT 160 fire and rescue callouts, West Sussex70 fire and rescue callouts, East SussexRoads closed in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Hampshire and Sussex52 Gloucestershire schools closed4.7in (12cm) of snow Bristol2.3in (6cm) of rain in Scilly IslesRoads in Oxfordshire flooded, one school closedOvernight flooding in Fareham, HampshireMain road on the Isle of Wight closed50mph winds in coastal areasScottish temperatures fall to -14C More than 20 rescued from floodsFlooding evacuates Essex homes
Tuesday was forecast to begin with rain, sleet, snow and strong winds in south-east England.Tuesday was forecast to begin with rain, sleet, snow and strong winds in south-east England.
It is due to clear by noon to become mostly dry with sunny spells. There will be snow showers in western Scotland.It is due to clear by noon to become mostly dry with sunny spells. There will be snow showers in western Scotland.
A severe flood warning has been issued for the Rivers Chelmer and Can at Chelmsford in Essex. There are a further 92 flood warnings in force across the South, South West, Midlands and East Anglia.A severe flood warning has been issued for the Rivers Chelmer and Can at Chelmsford in Essex. There are a further 92 flood warnings in force across the South, South West, Midlands and East Anglia.
After a week which saw the UK's heaviest snowfall for 18 years, closing schools and crippling public transport, the rain has heightened the risk of flooding.After a week which saw the UK's heaviest snowfall for 18 years, closing schools and crippling public transport, the rain has heightened the risk of flooding.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it had dealt with about 70 weather-related calls overnight as homes and gardens flooded in the heavy downpours.East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it had dealt with about 70 weather-related calls overnight as homes and gardens flooded in the heavy downpours.
Firefighters were called out to help motorists stranded in their vehicles in floodwater in Bexhill, Selmeston and Westham, near Eastbourne.Firefighters were called out to help motorists stranded in their vehicles in floodwater in Bexhill, Selmeston and Westham, near Eastbourne.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service reported handling 160 flooding calls from across the county, particularly from Selsey and Pagham on the coast. A spokeswoman said in one incident, crews were called to flooding at Worthing Hospital.West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service reported handling 160 flooding calls from across the county, particularly from Selsey and Pagham on the coast. A spokeswoman said in one incident, crews were called to flooding at Worthing Hospital.
Firefighters helped residents pump water from their homes and protect properties with sandbags, she added.Firefighters helped residents pump water from their homes and protect properties with sandbags, she added.
Sussex Police said the force received 96 flood-related calls, with reports of flash flooding on the A21 south of Sedlescombe, near Battle.Sussex Police said the force received 96 flood-related calls, with reports of flash flooding on the A21 south of Sedlescombe, near Battle.
Have you been affected by the stormy weather?Have you been affected by the stormy weather?
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