Storm causes more UK disruption

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/15/storm-disruption-uk

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Driving rain, blasts of wind and plunging temperatures continued to cause disruption and misery across parts of the UK on Friday.

The Environment Agency warned that the rain, brought in by an unseasonable Atlantic storm, could cause flooding on the south coast of England and in Wales, where some people are still mopping up following earlier deluges. Flooding of fields and roads across parts of the Midlands and the north-east of England were also expected.

The agency said it had mobilised teams of workers who had been working round the clock to check on flood defences, clear river blockages and monitor water levels. Overnight the wettest place was Whitechurch in west Wales, where 33mm of rain fell between 6pm on Thursday and noon on Friday.

The Met Office said the windiest spot was the airport on the Isles of Scilly, which recorded gusts of 54mph. One man was airlifted by helicopter after breaking a leg while on board a boat off Scilly, while two members of a military vessel in the same area were injured. No further details of the vessel were released.

The inclement weather has also been bad news for some wildlife. Beekeepers are concerned that the bad weather may cause further damage to hives, which have already been suffering this year.

Earlier this month, the British Beekeepers Association reported a reduction in the number of colonies that survived last winter. It said the mild weather in the first three months of 2012 meant colonies became active earlier than usual only to then be confined to hives when the weather worsened.

The poor summer weather is also likely to lead to economic losses, with areas that rely on tourism feeling the impact of the bad weather. Claire Jeavons, from the Beverley holiday park in Devon, said holidaymakers had been put off by reports that Environment Agency officials were visiting campsites in the West Country to warn them that floods were possible.

Despite the bad weather, thousands of people turned out to watch the Olympic torch relay in the north-east of England. Organisers had urged people to dress appropriately in warm, waterproof gear and were delighted at how many braved the conditions.

The showery, windy weather is likely to continue on Saturday but the Met Office predicts that the sun will return to many parts on Sunday and by Tuesday the south-east of England could be basking - it's all relative - in temperatures of 21C.