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/6277767.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Travellers suffer in storms' wake | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Disruption caused by the UK's strongest storms in 17 years is continuing to affect travel across the country. | |
Ten people died and thousands of homes were left without power as gusts of up to 99mph battered the UK on Thursday. | Ten people died and thousands of homes were left without power as gusts of up to 99mph battered the UK on Thursday. |
The BBC Weather Centre said the worst of the storms had passed, although 60mph gales were forecast for Scotland. | The BBC Weather Centre said the worst of the storms had passed, although 60mph gales were forecast for Scotland. |
Rail and air passengers were warned to expect delays and some cancellations as services struggled to return to normal. The roads however, are mostly clear. | Rail and air passengers were warned to expect delays and some cancellations as services struggled to return to normal. The roads however, are mostly clear. |
An overnight clean-up of fallen trees and overturned vehicles took place on the roads while engineers repaired overhead power lines on the railways. | An overnight clean-up of fallen trees and overturned vehicles took place on the roads while engineers repaired overhead power lines on the railways. |
Flooding | Flooding |
Most rail services have since returned to normal, although there is some disruption. | Most rail services have since returned to normal, although there is some disruption. |
|
|
A Eurostar spokesman said: "We're running all right today and the trains are very full, as a number of passengers were unable to travel with us yesterday." | A Eurostar spokesman said: "We're running all right today and the trains are very full, as a number of passengers were unable to travel with us yesterday." |
Thirty-four incoming scheduled BA flights to Heathrow and Gatwick airports have been cancelled, mostly because aircraft were not in place after Thursday's delays. | Thirty-four incoming scheduled BA flights to Heathrow and Gatwick airports have been cancelled, mostly because aircraft were not in place after Thursday's delays. |
The Highways Agency said there were no major problems on the roads, although a number of A-roads are thought to have sections closed due to fallen trees, flooding or accidents. | The Highways Agency said there were no major problems on the roads, although a number of A-roads are thought to have sections closed due to fallen trees, flooding or accidents. |
Insurance | |
Homeowners were also counting the cost of the gales which damaged gates and fences, and blew over trees. | |
Insurance companies have drafted in extra staff to deal with an influx of calls. | |
Malcolm Tarling, of the Association of British Insurers, told BBC's Radio Five Live that household buildings and contents insurance will cover damage to most property and possessions - but added: "You may find that storm damage to gates and fences, which don't tend to be particularly stable at the best of times, may not be covered." | |
On damage to vehicles, he said comprehensive insurance would cover the effects of the storms, but "If you've only got third-party, fire and theft the answer, I'm afraid, is no." | |
Rob McElwee, of the BBC Weather Centre, said the storm passed into Germany overnight leaving sunshine and some rain expected in the UK. | Rob McElwee, of the BBC Weather Centre, said the storm passed into Germany overnight leaving sunshine and some rain expected in the UK. |
HAVE YOUR SAY We can see parked cars moving in the wind and lamp posts swaying Myra Davis, Swansea Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY We can see parked cars moving in the wind and lamp posts swaying Myra Davis, Swansea Send us your comments |
The weekend would be colder with more wintry weather expected by the end of the weekend, he said. | The weekend would be colder with more wintry weather expected by the end of the weekend, he said. |
Those who died on Thursday included a two-year-old boy died when a wall fell on him in Kentish Town, London, and the managing director of Birmingham Airport, Richard Heard, who was killed when a branch fell on his car in Shropshire. | Those who died on Thursday included a two-year-old boy died when a wall fell on him in Kentish Town, London, and the managing director of Birmingham Airport, Richard Heard, who was killed when a branch fell on his car in Shropshire. |
Gusts of up to 99mph saw flights cancelled, rail speed restrictions enforced and sections of motorway shut and thousands of homes were left without power. | Gusts of up to 99mph saw flights cancelled, rail speed restrictions enforced and sections of motorway shut and thousands of homes were left without power. |
While England experienced high winds, Scotland saw its first major snowfalls of 2007, bringing road and rail disruption. | While England experienced high winds, Scotland saw its first major snowfalls of 2007, bringing road and rail disruption. |