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Man killed as severe weather hits Man killed as severe weather hits
(20 minutes later)
A man is thought to have been killed by a falling tree as severe wind and rain has left thousands of people across the UK without power.A man is thought to have been killed by a falling tree as severe wind and rain has left thousands of people across the UK without power.
The man died in Somerset when a tree collapsed on the car he was travelling in during strong gusts, police said.The man died in Somerset when a tree collapsed on the car he was travelling in during strong gusts, police said.
Roads around Britain have been closed due to gale-force winds and several rivers are at bursting point.Roads around Britain have been closed due to gale-force winds and several rivers are at bursting point.
Western Power Distribution (WDP) said around 80,000 customers in Wales were without power. Western Power Distribution (WPD) said around 80,000 customers in Wales were without power.
It has drafted in extra workers from England to help out.It has drafted in extra workers from England to help out.
BBC weather forecasters said the worst weather was easing in most parts of the UK by the afternoon.BBC weather forecasters said the worst weather was easing in most parts of the UK by the afternoon.
Meanwhile, a woman is believed to have gone overboard from a cargo vessel in gale force conditions seven miles south of Falmouth in Cornwall.Meanwhile, a woman is believed to have gone overboard from a cargo vessel in gale force conditions seven miles south of Falmouth in Cornwall.
Falmouth Coastguards are co-ordinating a search for a steward missing from the Russian bulk carrier Vera Maretskaya which raised the alarm at 1050GMT.Falmouth Coastguards are co-ordinating a search for a steward missing from the Russian bulk carrier Vera Maretskaya which raised the alarm at 1050GMT.
The man was killed in Somerset after a tree was believed to have fallen on the car as it drove through the village of Britty Common, near Wellington, at around 1100 GMT.The man was killed in Somerset after a tree was believed to have fallen on the car as it drove through the village of Britty Common, near Wellington, at around 1100 GMT.
A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "It appears at this stage that a large tree fell on the vehicle during strong winds."A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "It appears at this stage that a large tree fell on the vehicle during strong winds."
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has issued one severe flood warning and 59 flood warnings across England and Wales.Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has issued one severe flood warning and 59 flood warnings across England and Wales.
The severe warning, issued on Thursday afternoon, was for the River Vyrnwy from Llansantffraid to Crew Green and the River Severn from Crew Green to Shrawardine.The severe warning, issued on Thursday afternoon, was for the River Vyrnwy from Llansantffraid to Crew Green and the River Severn from Crew Green to Shrawardine.
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 Weather in picturesHeavy rains will return in northern England and Scotland overnight and could result in more flooding Met Office spokesman Weather in pictures
BBC weather forecaster John Hammond said by Thursday afternoon the worst weather was starting to ease in most parts of the UK.BBC weather forecaster John Hammond said by Thursday afternoon the worst weather was starting to ease in most parts of the UK.
"At the peak, in most places the wind was between 55 to 65mph, but there were isolated gusts of 70mph, some reaching 75mph in Scotland," he said."At the peak, in most places the wind was between 55 to 65mph, but there were isolated gusts of 70mph, some reaching 75mph in Scotland," he said.
He said the weather was easing and "by this evening the most damaging gusts will go."He said the weather was easing and "by this evening the most damaging gusts will go."
Mr Hammond said the wind speed was not unusual for this time of year, but recent wet weather had been a "contributory factor" to the chaos as trees had fallen as their roots were more easily dislodged.Mr Hammond said the wind speed was not unusual for this time of year, but recent wet weather had been a "contributory factor" to the chaos as trees had fallen as their roots were more easily dislodged.
He added windy weather was expected to continue over the next few days.He added windy weather was expected to continue over the next few days.
"But the worst will go up to 60mph across Scotland, it will be a notch down from today," he said."But the worst will go up to 60mph across Scotland, it will be a notch down from today," he said.
The bad weather is set to continue for much of the day and overnightThe bad weather is set to continue for much of the day and overnight
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.
A lorry driver travelling towards Barnsley on the A628 Woodhead Pass around 0300GMT stopped to rescue a colleague whose vehicle in front had blown over into a ditch.A lorry driver travelling towards Barnsley on the A628 Woodhead Pass around 0300GMT stopped to rescue a colleague whose vehicle in front had blown over into a ditch.
He successfully pulled his colleague from the cab which had begun to fill with water, but then his own vehicle was blown over, South Yorkshire Police said.He successfully pulled his colleague from the cab which had begun to fill with water, but then his own vehicle was blown over, South Yorkshire Police said.
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.
The A66 in North Yorkshire has also been closed to high-sided vehicles. In Shaftesbury, Dorset, a lorry driver was treated in hospital after a plank crashed through his windscreen after being blown off another vehicle.The A66 in North Yorkshire has also been closed to high-sided vehicles. In Shaftesbury, Dorset, a lorry driver was treated in hospital after a plank crashed through his windscreen after being blown off another vehicle.
Falling treesFalling trees
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.