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Southern areas face storm havoc Southern areas face storm havoc
(about 3 hours later)
Severe gales are hitting southern parts of England as a winter storm unleashes winds of up to 70mph.Severe gales are hitting southern parts of England as a winter storm unleashes winds of up to 70mph.
So far, the storm has brought down trees and caused flooding and power outages in Devon.So far, the storm has brought down trees and caused flooding and power outages in Devon.
A father and his nine-year-old son who were swept away in a rain-swollen Devon river have been rescued.A father and his nine-year-old son who were swept away in a rain-swollen Devon river have been rescued.
Meanwhile, a St John's Ambulance Crew in Surrey had a lucky escape after strong winds blew a poplar tree on top of their vehicle. Meanwhile, a St John Ambulance Crew in Surrey had a lucky escape after strong winds blew a poplar tree on top of their vehicle.
The storm is currently buffeting the Isle of Wight and is expected to track from west to east carrying heavy rain up the Kentish coastline.The storm is currently buffeting the Isle of Wight and is expected to track from west to east carrying heavy rain up the Kentish coastline.
Solent Coastguard said it expected commercial ships to request shelter in the area around the Isle of Wight.Solent Coastguard said it expected commercial ships to request shelter in the area around the Isle of Wight.
Veronica Taylor, watch officer at the coastguard, said the forecast for the south coast was severe gale force nine, rising to storm force 10.Veronica Taylor, watch officer at the coastguard, said the forecast for the south coast was severe gale force nine, rising to storm force 10.
Life and limbLife and limb
"That's the kind of wind that can uproot trees and cause damage to buildings; that's what we're talking about," she said."That's the kind of wind that can uproot trees and cause damage to buildings; that's what we're talking about," she said.
Ms Taylor said she expected leisure boats to remain ashore.Ms Taylor said she expected leisure boats to remain ashore.
"Anybody who goes out on a boat who doesn't know what they are doing is risking life and limb, if you do it in these conditions it is significantly more dangerous," she said."Anybody who goes out on a boat who doesn't know what they are doing is risking life and limb, if you do it in these conditions it is significantly more dangerous," she said.
During Saturday night the Isles of Scilly were struck by 70mph winds and waves of more than 40ft (12m) were recorded off the Atlantic coast.During Saturday night the Isles of Scilly were struck by 70mph winds and waves of more than 40ft (12m) were recorded off the Atlantic coast.
The English Channel saw waves of 25ft (7.6m) from strong winds blowing from the Atlantic.The English Channel saw waves of 25ft (7.6m) from strong winds blowing from the Atlantic.
SurfSurf
But some surfers have capitalised on the conditions, defying warnings to ride what are thought to be the biggest waves recorded off the west coast of Ireland.But some surfers have capitalised on the conditions, defying warnings to ride what are thought to be the biggest waves recorded off the west coast of Ireland.
Waves estimated at 55ft (16.7m) high bore down on the coast at Mullagmore Head in Donegal Bay on Saturday.Waves estimated at 55ft (16.7m) high bore down on the coast at Mullagmore Head in Donegal Bay on Saturday.


Are you in the path of the storm? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in the path of the storm? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124.You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124.
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