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Storm clear-up 'to cost millions' Storm clear-up 'to cost millions'
(about 1 hour later)
The bill for damage caused by Britain's strongest storms in 17 years may run to hundreds of millions of pounds. The bill for damage caused by Britain's strongest storms in 17 years may run into hundreds of millions of pounds, insurers say.
Eleven people died on Thursday as parts of the country were battered by gusts of up to 99mph.Eleven people died on Thursday as parts of the country were battered by gusts of up to 99mph.
Although the worst of the storms has passed, thousands of homes have no power, flooding warnings are in place and travellers are facing disruption. Thousands of homes remain without power, flooding warnings are in place and travellers still face disruption.
Insurance firms drafted in extra staff to answer calls about damage to property and vehicles. Insurance firms have drafted in extra staff to answer calls about damage to property and vehicles.
High winds and heavy rain blew roofs off buildings, brought down trees and walls, damaged cars and lorries and flooded homes.High winds and heavy rain blew roofs off buildings, brought down trees and walls, damaged cars and lorries and flooded homes.
Power cutsPower cuts
Now homeowners are counting the cost.Now homeowners are counting the cost.
Many will be able to claim on household buildings and contents insurance to cover repairs to property - although fences and gates are not usually covered.Many will be able to claim on household buildings and contents insurance to cover repairs to property - although fences and gates are not usually covered.
Head of property insurance at the Association of British Insurers, Jane Milne, said: "This sort of event is obviously dramatic and difficult for the individuals who have suffered damage... but it's not a problem as such for the industry,"Head of property insurance at the Association of British Insurers, Jane Milne, said: "This sort of event is obviously dramatic and difficult for the individuals who have suffered damage... but it's not a problem as such for the industry,"
She said that in 1990 the bill for the severe January storms had come to £2bn.She said that in 1990 the bill for the severe January storms had come to £2bn.
Many homes have also been affected by power cuts. Many homes are still affected by power cuts in the wake of Thursday's storms.
In the West Midlands, power has been restored to 200,000 properties but 16,500 are still awaiting re-connection. Central Networks said that the number of customers without power in the West Midlands remained at about 12,500.
HAVE YOUR SAY I finally got home after seeing abandoned cars, crashes, trees down and floods three-and three-quarters hours later Amanda Downey, Wigan Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I finally got home after seeing abandoned cars, crashes, trees down and floods three-and three-quarters hours later Amanda Downey, Wigan Send us your comments
And in Wales, half of the 30,000 properties where power went down are still waiting for it to be restored. Among them are several schools which have been closed for the day. Scottish Power said it was still working to restore electricity to 10,000 homes in north Wales.
Scottish Power, which manages lines in parts of mid and north Wales, said it had brought in 300 extra staff but warned that not all faults would be repaired before Saturday. The company said it had brought in 300 extra staff but warned that not all faults would be repaired before Saturday.
But worse may still be to come as the Environment Agency issued a warning that a number of areas are in danger of flooding. The Environment Agency has 11 flood warnings in place in England and Wales - four in the Midlands, two in north-east England, two in north-west England and three in Wales.
Crew rescued Rail delays
An overnight clear-up of fallen trees and overturned vehicles meant there were few major problems on the roads.An overnight clear-up of fallen trees and overturned vehicles meant there were few major problems on the roads.
But rail and air passengers are facing delays and cancellations. But rail and air passengers have continued to face delays and cancellations.
These include:These include:
  • Just two trains are running every hour between London Kings Cross and Newcastle, with one going on to Edinburgh
  • In Scotland there is a revised GNER timetable, connecting with First Scot Rail services
  • Virgin Trains has a full evening peak service on the West Coast main line
  • Stansted Express services are running with delays and some short-notice cancellations
  • Southeastern Trains has a normal service after earlier delays and cancellations between London Bridge and Kent stations
  • Just two GNER trains are running every hour between London Kings Cross and Newcastle, with one going on to Edinburgh
  • In Scotland there is a revised GNER timetable, connecting with First Scot Rail services
  • Stansted Express services are running with delays and some short-notice cancellations
Thirty-four incoming BA flights to Heathrow and Gatwick airports have been cancelled, mostly because aircraft were not in place after Thursday's delays. Thirty-four incoming BA flights to Heathrow and Gatwick airports were cancelled during the day, mostly because aircraft were not in place after Thursday's delays.
Meanwhile, British container ship the MSC Napoli, which became stricken in the English Channel 40 miles off the Cornwall coast after its engine room flooded in stormy seas, is being towed to Lyme Bay.Meanwhile, British container ship the MSC Napoli, which became stricken in the English Channel 40 miles off the Cornwall coast after its engine room flooded in stormy seas, is being towed to Lyme Bay.
All 26 crew were rescued by helicopter from the 62,000-tonne vessel.All 26 crew were rescued by helicopter from the 62,000-tonne vessel.
Susan Powell, of the BBC Weather Centre, said the storms had passed across the Low Countries, Germany and into Poland during Thursday night.Susan Powell, of the BBC Weather Centre, said the storms had passed across the Low Countries, Germany and into Poland during Thursday night.
In the early hours of Saturday, there will be strong winds in Scotland, particularly in the central lowlands, with gusts up to 65 mph. Winds will persist into Saturday morning. In the early hours of Saturday, there will be strong winds in Scotland, particularly in the central lowlands, with gusts up to 65mph. Winds will persist into Saturday morning.
In England and Wales, it will remain breezy, although as a band of rain passes across the country in the early hours of Saturday morning there could be gusts of up to 50 mph in some areas and 65 mph on the south coast. In England and Wales, it will remain breezy, although as a band of rain passes across the country in the early hours of Saturday morning there could be gusts of up to 50mph in some areas and 65mph on the south coast.
But this will have largely died down by daybreak. There could also be thunderstorms in some places overnight.But this will have largely died down by daybreak. There could also be thunderstorms in some places overnight.