Man Dies As Storm Batters Country
A man dies after falling into a river as rain and wind batters the UK causing traffic chaos and leaving thousands without power
Driving rain and winds of up to 87mph are sweeping across the country, bringing chaos for Christmas travellers and leaving more than 6,000 without power.
Scores of flood alerts are in place and in Cumbria, a man died after falling into the River Rothay at Ambleside triggering a large rescue search involving the police, RAF, Coastguard, and mountain rescue teams.
In Horsham, West Sussex, two children were treated for minor injuries after being hit by branches from a falling tree.
Almost all of the UK was hit by relentless rain falling on already saturated ground and winds whipping to 70-80mph in eastern and central areas.
Around 3,000 homes are without power in Cornwall and a further 2,000 in other parts of the South West after high winds brought down power lines, according to Western Power Distribution. According to Southern Electricity, there are 1,100 without power in Berkshire.
The spokesman for the Met Office said a new wind speed high had been recorded at Capel Curig in Conwy, North Wales, with gusts blowing at 87mph.
Not far behind was Berry Head in Torbay, Devon, with gusts of 76mph.
The Dartford QE2 bridge is closed until 4am tomorrow morning, the M48 Severn Bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles and the Sheppey Crossing in Kent has also been closed until Tuesday morning.
An Essex police spokesman said: “The tunnels will remain open to help maintain the flow of traffic, but congestion is expected so drivers are advised to seek alternative routes if possible or avoid the Thurrock and Dartford areas of Essex and Kent.”
In London, Royal Parks officials closed Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, St James’s Park and Green Park due to the high winds expected overnight on Monday.
The Met Office has issued more than 140 amber “be prepared” warnings for London, southeast and southwest England, and South Wales.
There are 25 “immediate action required” flood warnings in place and one severe warning for the South West.
Sky News’ weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said rain would be the biggest problem for most people today.
“There will be heavy downpours bringing 20-40mm of rainfall quite widely and over 60mm likely across parts of the high ground.
“As the rain is falling on already saturated ground that could cause both surface water and river flooding in these areas.”
But it is the trains that are expected to bear the brunt of the nasty weather and at least 21 train companies said there were changes to timetables and cancelled services.
An emergency go-slow limit of 50mph is in force on many routes.
Train bosses say “hundreds of engineers” will be on call over the next two days to deal with any blocked tracks or technical problems.
Passengers are being urged to check the latest information before setting out.
Network Rail Managing Director Robin Gisby said: “I want to be very clear that our priority is running as many trains as we can safely, rather than worrying about hitting the timetable bang on.”
Many companies have removed limits on day tickets to deter people from travelling at the height of the bad weather.
http://news.sky.com/story/1186299/weather-man-dies-as-storm-batters-country
MAGNITUDE 5.5 – NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
Subject To Change
Depth: 3 km
Distances: 668km (415mi) NE of Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos Islands
782km (486mi) NNE of Santa Barbara de Samana, Dominican Republic
784km (487mi) NNE of Nagua, Dominican Republic
786km (488mi) NNE of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
668km (415mi) NE of Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos Islands
MAGNITUDE 5.1 – OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=349343
Subject To Change
Depth: 2 km
Distances: 224 km E of Kawasaki, Japan / pop: 1,306,785 / local time: 18:25:10.0 2013-12-23
181 km SE of Mito-shi, Japan / pop: 246,538 / local time: 18:25:10.0 2013-12-23
125 km E of Hasaki, Japan / pop: 39,209 / local time: 18:25:10.0 2013-12-23
MAGNITUDE 5.9 – GUAM REGION
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=349336
Subject To Change
Depth: 107 km
Distances: 396 km SW of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands / pop: 48,220 / local time: 19:12:28.0 2013-12-23
182 km W of Merizo Village, Guam / pop: 1,850 / local time: 19:12:28.0 2013-12-23
MAGNITUDE 5.0 – OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=349337
Subject To Change
Depth: 10 km
Distances: 244 km E of Saitama, Japan / pop: 1,193,350 / local time: 18:11:32.0 2013-12-23
169 km E of Mito-shi, Japan / pop: 246,538 / local time: 18:11:32.0 2013-12-23
147 km NE of Hasaki, Japan / pop: 39,209 / local time: 18:11:32.0 2013-12-23
NB: THERE IS ANOTHER POTENTIAL SYSTEM ON THE WAY FOR 27th/28th/29th DECEMBER WHICH WILL BE EVEN STRONGER THAN TODAY’S
***BE ALERT***
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