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Severe weather brings flood risk Severe weather brings flood risk
(10 minutes later)
Severe wind and rain has brought chaos to parts of the UK and sparked a series major flood alerts across the country.Severe wind and rain has brought chaos to parts of the UK and sparked a series major flood alerts across the country.
Roads have been closed because of the gale force winds while some areas have seen flash flooding and several rivers are at bursting point.Roads have been closed because of the gale force winds while some areas have seen flash flooding and several rivers are at bursting point.
Western Power Distribution (WDP) said around 80,000 customers in Wales were without power and it had drafted in extra workers from England to help out.Western Power Distribution (WDP) said around 80,000 customers in Wales were without power and it had drafted in extra workers from England to help out.
The bad weather is set to continue throughout the day, forecasters said.The bad weather is set to continue throughout the day, forecasters said.
Meanwhile, Southeastern Railways, Southern Railways and South West Trains all reported trees falling onto lines across their networks.Meanwhile, Southeastern Railways, Southern Railways and South West Trains all reported trees falling onto lines across their networks.
The Environment Agency has issued 59 flood warnings across England and Wales so far in areas where it expects homes and businesses to be flooded.The Environment Agency has issued 59 flood warnings across England and Wales so far in areas where it expects homes and businesses to be flooded.
A spokesman said the areas they were most concerned about were the River Severn in Shropshire and the River Ouse in York.A spokesman said the areas they were most concerned about were the River Severn in Shropshire and the River Ouse in York.
"With all the rainfall recently everywhere is saturated and rivers are very sensitive to more rain at the moment," the spokesman said."With all the rainfall recently everywhere is saturated and rivers are very sensitive to more rain at the moment," the spokesman said.
In Scotland, five flood warnings were issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).In Scotland, five flood warnings were issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Power cutsPower cuts
In Powys, mid-Wales, power lines have been brought down and supplies have been hit closing three schools in Llandrindod Wells and Brecon.In Powys, mid-Wales, power lines have been brought down and supplies have been hit closing three schools in Llandrindod Wells and Brecon.
We have got guys going up 30ft poles in those conditions and it is very difficult WPDWe have got guys going up 30ft poles in those conditions and it is very difficult WPD
A spokesman for WPD said a tree which had blown into a cable in Crickhowell had left large parts of Powys without power.A spokesman for WPD said a tree which had blown into a cable in Crickhowell had left large parts of Powys without power.
He said "pockets" of customers were also affected by power cuts in Cardiff, Neath, Swansea and west Wales.He said "pockets" of customers were also affected by power cuts in Cardiff, Neath, Swansea and west Wales.
"We have had workers out since early this morning trying to reconnect affected customers."We have had workers out since early this morning trying to reconnect affected customers.
"But it is not made easier by winds of up to 80mph. We have got guys going up 30ft poles in those conditions and it is very difficult.""But it is not made easier by winds of up to 80mph. We have got guys going up 30ft poles in those conditions and it is very difficult."
Elsewhere, Asda's supermarket in Llandudno, Conwy, also had part of its roof blown off and a man was treated in hospital after his car hit a fallen tree in west Wales.Elsewhere, Asda's supermarket in Llandudno, Conwy, also had part of its roof blown off and a man was treated in hospital after his car hit a fallen tree in west Wales.
Heavy rains will return in northern England and Scotland overnight and could result in more flooding Met Office spokesman Heavy rains will return in northern England and Scotland overnight and could result in more flooding Met Office spokesman href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6252267.stm" class="">Weather in pictures
A Met Office forecaster said heavy rain and gale force winds would batter much of the country into the afternoon before easing off and returning overnight.A Met Office forecaster said heavy rain and gale force winds would batter much of the country into the afternoon before easing off and returning overnight.
He said: "There have been winds of 70mph in the north west of Scotland and south Wales. Scotland and central England are experiencing heavy rains."He said: "There have been winds of 70mph in the north west of Scotland and south Wales. Scotland and central England are experiencing heavy rains."
He said after easing off, heavy rains will return in northern England and Scotland overnight with the risk of flooding.He said after easing off, heavy rains will return in northern England and Scotland overnight with the risk of flooding.
Winds have made driving hazardous in parts of BritainWinds have made driving hazardous in parts of Britain
The high winds and heavy rain have also caused chaos on Britain's roads.The high winds and heavy rain have also caused chaos on Britain's roads.
In Shaftesbury, Dorset, a lorry driver was hit by a plank which crashed through his windscreen after being blown off another vehicle. Dorset Police said he was taken to hospital where his condition is not life-threatening.In Shaftesbury, Dorset, a lorry driver was hit by a plank which crashed through his windscreen after being blown off another vehicle. Dorset Police said he was taken to hospital where his condition is not life-threatening.
Elsewhere in Dorset, trees were blown into main roads, causing traffic problems and power cables were blown down.Elsewhere in Dorset, trees were blown into main roads, causing traffic problems and power cables were blown down.
In West Yorkshire, police issued a warning to lorry drivers to avoid the highest stretch of the M62 between junctions 21 and 23 westbound.In West Yorkshire, police issued a warning to lorry drivers to avoid the highest stretch of the M62 between junctions 21 and 23 westbound.
Falling treesFalling trees
The A66 in North Yorkshire has also been closed to high-sided vehicles.The A66 in North Yorkshire has also been closed to high-sided vehicles.
North Yorkshire Fire Service said it had received a number of calls relating to isolated flash floods, including one house in Fremington, in the Yorkshire Dales.North Yorkshire Fire Service said it had received a number of calls relating to isolated flash floods, including one house in Fremington, in the Yorkshire Dales.
Cumbria police said two lorries had overturned on the northbound side of the A74 near the border causing delays of between 40 minutes and one hour.Cumbria police said two lorries had overturned on the northbound side of the A74 near the border causing delays of between 40 minutes and one hour.
Devon and Cornwall Police warned motorists about a number of trees down around the force area, as well as other items blown into the roads, including wheelie bins.Devon and Cornwall Police warned motorists about a number of trees down around the force area, as well as other items blown into the roads, including wheelie bins.
The gales also piled deep sand on to the esplanade at Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon.The gales also piled deep sand on to the esplanade at Orcombe Point, Exmouth, Devon.
HAVE YOUR SAY I was stupid enough to get my car stuck in flood water on the way to work this morning Phil Lewin, Loughborough Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I was stupid enough to get my car stuck in flood water on the way to work this morning Phil Lewin, Loughborough Send us your comments
Rough conditions in the Channel resulted in the suspension of the P&O Ferries and SeaFrance services to Calais, Norfolkline to Dunkirk and Speedferries to Boulogne.Rough conditions in the Channel resulted in the suspension of the P&O Ferries and SeaFrance services to Calais, Norfolkline to Dunkirk and Speedferries to Boulogne.
Floods and falling trees have also affected train services across the country.Floods and falling trees have also affected train services across the country.
There have been reports of flooding in Caersws in mid-Wales, affecting services between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth on the Welsh coast.There have been reports of flooding in Caersws in mid-Wales, affecting services between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth on the Welsh coast.
Flooding in Walsden, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, caused delays between Leeds and Manchester.Flooding in Walsden, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, caused delays between Leeds and Manchester.
Trees have fallen on lines at Paddock Wood, near Tonbridge, in Kent, Redhill in Surrey, and Paignton in Devon, disrupting First Great Western trains to London Paddington.Trees have fallen on lines at Paddock Wood, near Tonbridge, in Kent, Redhill in Surrey, and Paignton in Devon, disrupting First Great Western trains to London Paddington.