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There's a storm brewing


Heero Yuy

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A lorry driver died today as gusts of up to 140mph battered Britain in a hurricane-force storm and more than 100,000 homes were left without power.

 

 

The most serious coastal tidal surge for 60 years was predicted and forecasters feared the worst is yet to come during tonight’s high tide at about 10pm.

Concerns were mounting over the strong winds and high volumes of water combining to form a ‘tidal surge’ later on towards the north-east coast.

More than 240 flood alerts were in place across England and Wales, with 6,000 homes expected to suffer from flooding in the next 24 hours.

Sea levels could be as high as those during the floods of 1953 that left 307 dead, although defences have significantly improved since then.

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Blown over: A driver had a miraculous escape after a tree fell on his car on Quality Street in Edinburgh

 

 
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Crash: An overturned lorry on the A19 southbound in Thornton-le-Street, North Yorkshire, caught in high winds

The driver died and four other people were hurt when his HGV toppled onto cars on the A801 in West Lothian as the winds disrupted transport networks.

This morning the entire rail network in Scotland was suspended, with trains halted at their nearest stations and passengers told to disembark.

Motorists in Scotland have also been warned not to travel due to ‘extremely dangerous’ road conditions. 

Transport Scotland has escalated its travel warning to stage four red, advising people to avoid travelling, particularly in high-sided vehicles.

Closures, fallen trees, minor accidents and incidents of flash flooding are affecting the road network in the south, west, central and Perthshire areas.

 

 

 

Homes in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, were evacuated after officials warned that the lives of people in the region could be at risk from the tidal surge.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued three severe flood warnings for parts of the seaside town - the highest category, warning of danger to life.

Down the east coast, the EA has issued 26 severe flood warnings as high tides and strong winds threatened to swamp the coastline.

Essex Police added this afternoon that parts of Jaywick, a small seaside village near Clacton, will be evacuated.

Officials at the Port of Dover in Kent said they have conducted a full-scale inspection of the port estate to assess the potential impact of any bad weather.

 

 

Blocked: A tree on the line, south of the Moulinearn level crossing in Perthshire, as strong winds batter Britain

 
 
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On the roads: The Forth Road Bridge is closed as Scotland gets battered by strong winds (left) and a driver has a lucky escape after suffering only minor injuries as a tree fell on her car in Solihull, Birmingham (right)

Speaking to MPs, Commons Leader Andrew Lansley said Prime Minister David Cameron and Environment Secretary Owen Paterson were ‘very aware’ of the risks the storm posed.

He said: ‘The Prime Minister, (Mr Paterson) and other ministers are very aware of the risk associated with a surge tide and the current storm.

‘Many of our constituents are already experiencing the effects of that storm. I can't say at this stage when (Mr Paterson) may be able to update the House as he will at this moment be engaged in ensuring that every measure that can be taken, is taken to help support those who may be affected.’

His comments followed a question from Therese Coffey, Tory MP for Suffolk Coastal.

In a question to Mr Lansley in the Commons, she said: ‘A few weeks ago St Jude's Storm resulted in several thousand households in Suffolk being disconnected from electricity.

‘Today, the storm that is gathering in Scotland is coming to Suffolk, where the entire coast line is under a severe flood warning.

‘I know the Prime Minister has asked (Mr Paterson) to chair a Cobra meeting. Will you say when (Mr Paterson) will come to the House to make a statement?’

Mr Paterson is chairing a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the response to the storm, Mr Cameron said earlier.

The Prime Minister said on Twitter: ‘I've asked Environment Secretary Owen Paterson to chair a Cobra this morning on the storm disruption - ensuring everything is being done.’

Around 20,000 homes were left without power this morning as rain and winds gusting up to 140mph battered Scotland.

The Met Office said there had been severe gales of between 60mph and 80mph across Scotland and northern parts of England, and some mountainous regions in Aberdeenshire and Inverness-shire reported speeds of around 140mph.

 

 

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Dangerous conditions: Drivers make their way over a flooded roundabout in East Kilbride, near Glasgow

 

 
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Damage: Strong winds are believed to have caused scaffolding to collapse into the street in Bristol this morning. Nobody was injured when it fell from around a former pub that was being renovated

 
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On its side: An overturned lorry on the M6 by Junction 40 in Cumbria as strong winds batter Britain

 

 

 

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