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Warnings of damage and disruption as Herminia hits UK Major incident in Somerset after Storm Herminia hits UK
(about 4 hours later)
Yellow warnings for wind and heavy rain have been issued for much of Wales and southern England as Storm Herminia hits parts of the UK. Parts of Somerset, including Langport (pictured), are experiencing major flooding
The Met Office says Herminia - first recorded in Spain and France - brings with it the possibility of damage and disruption, days after Storm Éowyn left two people dead when it battered the UK and Ireland. Storm Herminia has brought wind and heavy rain to much of Wales and southern England, with a major incident being declared in Somerset.
Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue across the UK on Monday, but there is particular concern for flooding in parts of Wales and southern England. More than 100 people have been evacuated in the south-western county following flooding in the early hours of Monday, as well as powers cuts across the region.
Strong winds have already brought power cuts to thousands in south-west England, while flooding led to a major incident being declared in Somerset. Heavy showers and thunderstorms were expected to continue across the UK into Tuesday, with yellow weather warnings in place until then.
One Met Office yellow weather warning is in force across southern England until 10:00 GMT on Tuesday and another across south-west Wales until 21:00. The Met Office said earlier that Herminia - first recorded in Spain and France - brought with it the possibility of damage and disruption, days after Storm Éowyn left two people dead when it battered the UK and Ireland.
One Met Office yellow weather warning is in force across southern England until 10:00 GMT on Tuesday and there is another across south-west Wales until 21:00.
Forecasters warn there could be some flooding, including more rapid flash flooding with the thunderstorms.Forecasters warn there could be some flooding, including more rapid flash flooding with the thunderstorms.
A Met Office yellow weather warning for wind is in place across southern England and much of Wales until 06:00 GMT on Tuesday. Follow live updates after major incident declared over flooding
A full list of weather warnings can be found hereA full list of weather warnings can be found here
Gusts are expected to reach 70mph or more around exposed coasts, while areas inland can expect wind up to 50mph. Somerset Council declared a major incident on Monday, as heavy rain and flooding continued to cause disruption.
This could cause damage to buildings, such as tiles coming off roofs, and cause disruption to transport. More than 100 people have been evacuated from parts of Chard, Ilminster, Somerton and South Petherton over concerns of rising floodwaters.
National Rail is advising commuters to check before they travel - specifically for those using ScotRail, Transport for Wales and CrossCountry. A care home in South Petherton had to be evacuated after it flooded overnight, while dozens of residents living on an estate for over-50s in Charlton Mackrell were also evacuated by boat.
Somerset Council has declared a major incident as heavy rain and flooding continue to cause disruption.
A care home in South Petherton had to be evacuated after it flooded overnight and dozens of residents on an estate for over-50s in Charlton Mackrell were also evacuated by boat.
Follow live: Major incident declared in Somerset over flooding
Emergency rest centres have been opened and some roads, schools and at least one shop are closed.Emergency rest centres have been opened and some roads, schools and at least one shop are closed.
"It's been a difficult night for some of our residents," council leader Bill Revans told BBC Radio Somerset. River water levels across the county remained high on Monday evening and a number of flood warnings and alerts were in place.
A further Met Office yellow weather warning - this one for wind - is also in place across southern England and much of Wales until 06:00 GMT on Tuesday.
Gusts were forecast to reach 70mph or more around exposed coasts, while areas inland can expect wind up to 50mph.
This could cause damage to buildings, such as tiles coming off roofs, and cause disruption to transport.
National Rail advised commuters to check before they travel - specifically those using ScotRail, Transport for Wales and CrossCountry.
On Sunday, 83mph wind gusts were recorded in Berry Head, Devon, and 81mph in Capelcurig, North Wales.On Sunday, 83mph wind gusts were recorded in Berry Head, Devon, and 81mph in Capelcurig, North Wales.
Elsewhere over the weekend, seven American students had to be rescued off the coast of western Wales by Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers after they became stranded on a tidal island in stormy conditions.Elsewhere over the weekend, seven American students had to be rescued off the coast of western Wales by Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers after they became stranded on a tidal island in stormy conditions.
In Somerset, staff at a branch of Sainsbury's had to sweep water out of their store after major flooding hit parts of the county. On Monday, a team in the village of Barrington, Somerset - less than 15 miles from Taunton - were pictured cleaning up a landslide that had blocked a road.
On Monday, a team in Barrington - less than 15 miles from Taunton - were pictured cleaning up a landslide that had blocked a road.
Storm Herminia was named by the Spanish weather service Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) on Friday. Heavy rains and wind battered the north of the country, with gusts exceeding 62mph being recorded.Storm Herminia was named by the Spanish weather service Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) on Friday. Heavy rains and wind battered the north of the country, with gusts exceeding 62mph being recorded.
Meanwhile, floodwaters caused by the storm left cars and buildings submerged in western France.Meanwhile, floodwaters caused by the storm left cars and buildings submerged in western France.
A British sailor is also missing off the French coast after his yacht was found "eviscerated", French authorities said.A British sailor is also missing off the French coast after his yacht was found "eviscerated", French authorities said.
Herminia is not powerful enough over the UK to be officially classed as a storm by the Met Office - unlike the far more powerful Éowyn, which left a trail of destruction and disruption after causing several rare red weather warnings.Herminia is not powerful enough over the UK to be officially classed as a storm by the Met Office - unlike the far more powerful Éowyn, which left a trail of destruction and disruption after causing several rare red weather warnings.
The Met Office said Éowyn was "probably the strongest storm" to hit the UK in at least 10 years.The Met Office said Éowyn was "probably the strongest storm" to hit the UK in at least 10 years.
Two people were killed on Friday after trees fell on their cars. A 19-year-old died in East Ayrshire, Scotland while a 20-year-old man was killed in County Donegal, Ireland.Two people were killed on Friday after trees fell on their cars. A 19-year-old died in East Ayrshire, Scotland while a 20-year-old man was killed in County Donegal, Ireland.
Thousands of properties across the UK were still without power on Sunday after Éowyn caused widespread damage to electricity infrastructure in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.Thousands of properties across the UK were still without power on Sunday after Éowyn caused widespread damage to electricity infrastructure in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Around 65,000 homes and businesses are still without power in Northern Ireland, but supply has been restored to 220,000 customers so far, NIE Networks confirmed.Around 65,000 homes and businesses are still without power in Northern Ireland, but supply has been restored to 220,000 customers so far, NIE Networks confirmed.
Ten schools in Northern Ireland remain closed on Monday due to storm damage, with around 80 schools still without power. Ten schools in Northern Ireland remained closed on Monday due to storm damage, with around 80 schools still without power.
ScotRail said it had received reports of 500 incidents across its network and more than 120 trees having fallen onto tracks.ScotRail said it had received reports of 500 incidents across its network and more than 120 trees having fallen onto tracks.
The train operator said on Monday that most lines had re-opened, but repair work on tracks was ongoing.The train operator said on Monday that most lines had re-opened, but repair work on tracks was ongoing.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said Éowyn acted as a "warning that climate change is with us".Scottish First Minister John Swinney said Éowyn acted as a "warning that climate change is with us".
At the storm's height, nearly a million properties were without power across the British Isles, while many road and railways were blocked.At the storm's height, nearly a million properties were without power across the British Isles, while many road and railways were blocked.
Additional reporting by Kathryn ArmstrongAdditional reporting by Kathryn Armstrong
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How is Storm Herminia impacting you?How is Storm Herminia impacting you?