This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7880302.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 34 Version 35
Storm battering southern Britain UK hit by floods as storm abates
(about 1 hour later)
A severe storm has unleashed heavy rain, fierce winds and treacherous driving conditions across Britain. Parts of Britain have been hit by flooding in the wake of a severe storm which unleashed heavy rain, strong winds and snow.
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 90 flood warnings, mostly in southern England, while police and firefighters handled 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.
Heavy snow has hit the Midlands, east Wales and Gloucestershire. In Gloucestershire, some 350 homes have been left without electricity. In Gloucestershire, 350 homes were left without electricity after heavy snow blanketed the Midlands and east Wales.
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 forecastIn pictures: Floods and snowfallWEATHER MAP BBC Weather site: UK forecastIn 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 brought down by the severe weather.Emily Highmore, from electricity distribution company Central Networks, said engineers were working to repair the system brought down by the severe weather.
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.
Shoreham in West Sussex, for example, saw 1.6in (4.1cm) of rain between 0600 GMT on Monday and 0600 GMT on Tuesday - the average monthly rainfall in Sussex is 2.2in (5.7cm).Shoreham in West Sussex, for example, saw 1.6in (4.1cm) of rain between 0600 GMT on Monday and 0600 GMT on Tuesday - the average monthly rainfall in Sussex is 2.2in (5.7cm).
And Northolt in Middlesex, over the same period had 1.52in (3.8cm) of rain, while the monthly average for the county is 1.53in (3.9cm).And Northolt in Middlesex, over the same period had 1.52in (3.8cm) of rain, while the monthly average for the county is 1.53in (3.9cm).
However the BBC weather centre said the worst of the rain and snow would have passed by late morning and mid-afternoon. The storm continued through Tuesday morning, but BBC weather forecaster Liam Dutton said at 1230 GMT: "The last of any rain, sleet and snow is just clearing East Anglia and the far South East.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme "Beyond that, it's a much better day for all parts of the UK. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
"The trend for the next few days will be quieter weather, sunshine and cold by day and patchy ice and fog by night."
Bristol International Airport was closed overnight due to deteriorating weather conditions and snowfall, but has reopened and is operating a full schedule with some delays.Bristol International Airport was closed overnight due to deteriorating weather conditions and snowfall, but has reopened and is operating a full schedule with some delays.
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.
Both bridges over the Severn Estuary have reopened after falling ice meant it had to be closed overnight.Both bridges over the Severn Estuary have reopened after falling ice meant it had to be closed overnight.
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.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said its members would take action as soon as possible to help customers hit by the bad weather.The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said its members would take action as soon as possible to help customers hit by the bad weather.
Homes floodedHomes flooded
Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance and health, said: "Events like this are exactly why people take out insurance.Nick Starling, the ABI's director of general insurance and health, said: "Events like this are exactly why people take out insurance.
"Insurers plan for bad weather and will have arrangements in place to minimise distress and inconvenience and help people recover as quickly as possible."Insurers plan for bad weather and will have arrangements in place to minimise distress and inconvenience and help people recover as quickly as possible.
"Some, for example, may be identifying and contacting their policyholders in areas affected to see if they need to claim.""Some, for example, may be identifying and contacting their policyholders in areas affected to see if they need to claim."
Mr Starling said people with damaged property should contact their insurers as quickly as possible, adding that they should make temporary repairs to stop further damage and keep the receipts.Mr Starling said people with damaged property should contact their insurers as quickly as possible, adding that they should make temporary repairs to stop further damage and keep the receipts.
STORM FALLOUT SNAPSHOT 250 emergency calls to Essex Police160 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 IslesNortholt, Middlesex, total average monthly rainfall in 24 hoursShoreham, West Sussex, three-quarters average monthly rainfall in 24 hoursRoads 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 250 emergency calls to Essex Police160 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 IslesNortholt, Middlesex, total average monthly rainfall in 24 hoursShoreham, West Sussex, three-quarters average monthly rainfall in 24 hoursRoads 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
Forecasters expect the worst of the bad weather to clear by noon before becoming 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 89 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?
Send your comments using the post form below.Send your comments using the post form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
Name
 Name