Severe weather threatens Christmas getaway - live updates

Traffic on the M25 near Westerham, Kent, as the Christmas getaway began.

Severe weather threatens Christmas getaway

Live Follow live updates as severe weather threatens travel chaos on one of the busiest days of the Christmas getaway


Live• Highways Agency warns of hazardous conditions
• Wind and rain in England and Wales
• Snow and ice in Scotland
• Environment agency issues flood warnings
• Rail services disrupted across the country due to weather
• Heathrow warns of possible disruption, also Bristol airport
• Thousands of homes without power in Berkshire and Cornwall
Share your videos and images of the extreme weather
A British airways aircraft takes off at a wet and rainy Heathrow airport in London, Britain.
A British airways aircraft takes off at a wet and rainy Heathrow airport in London, Britain, 23 December 2013. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
Live
Sort by:
  • Latest first
  • Oldest first
Auto update:
  • On
  • Off
Cumbria police says the body of a man has been recovered from the River Rothay.
The force says in a statement:
Cumbria Police can confirm that unfortunately, a body of a man has been found in Rothay River at 3.30pm after an extensive search involving Police, Fire, Ambulance, Lake Wardens, Coastguard, Langdale Mountain rescue and RAF Rescue.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene and Officers are now working to identify the man and inform his next of kin.
My colleague Philippa Law has spoken to Tom Faull in Bournemouth. Tom took the video on the seafront, looking out at Boscombe Pier, at 2pm. He says he's "still wet from getting the video".

Very stormy seas at Boscombe Pier in Bournemouth, Dorset.
Updated
The BBC's west of England correspondent, Jon Kay, has battled the conditions to bring us the news.
Very flattering piece to camera coming up on tonight's News at Six. pic.twitter.com/VMY4AiXZdo
— Jon Kay (@jonkay01) December 23, 2013

Search for man in River Rothay in Cumbria

Police in Cumbria are searching for a man who is believed to have fallen into the River Rothay at Ambleside.
In a statement, Cumbia Constabulary said:
Following a report from a member of the public at 2.25pm, Cumbria Police are currently searching for a man who is believed to have fallen into the River Rothay at Ambleside which flows towards Lake Windermere.
A multi agency search is underway, with Officers being supported by the Officers from the Fire service, Coastguard, RAF, Langdale Mountain Rescue team and Lake Wardens from Lake Windermere.
Police are urging people not to enter the local rivers or lakes as the water is very fast moving and dangerous.
The Environment Agency is warning that south of England, south-west, central and eastern England are at particular risk of flooding.
Coastal paths and promenades will be highly dangerous, with an increased risk of people being swept out to sea. Larger rivers with longer response times – like the lower reaches of the River Severn – could also pose a flood risk into Boxing Day.
Drivers are being warned not to travel through floodwater.
David Jordan, director of operations at the Environment Agency, said:
Tragically people die because they’ve taken risks and attempted to drive through flood water just to save a few minutes. Flood water is dangerous. If there is widespread flooding in your area then don’t travel and if a road is closed then turn around and make a detour. Your journey could take you a little longer but making the right decision could ultimately save your life.
Unsettled weather is set to continue throughout the Christmas period, with heavy rain and wind affecting many parts of England, so people should check the flood forecast on the Environment Agency website to help plan – and sign up to flood warnings.
Winds continuing to strengthen. 78mph just recorded at Berry Head on the south coast pic.twitter.com/AZXTh064T2
— MetDesk (@metdesk) December 23, 2013

Roads

More delays are being reported on the roads. Most of them are minor, although there are also a few termed "moderate".
The Highways Agency website is a good place to check the situation on the roads, as is the AA's. Below is a screengrab from the AA's traffic news map, with the exclamation marks indicating delays and the "no entry" signs indicating road closures.
AA road traffic
Screengrab from the AA of its map showing traffic disruption. Photograph: /http:/www.theaa.com
Public Health England has some sensible advice for those who do have to travel today.
Severe gale force winds are expected near south facing coasts. Do not travel in these areas unless it is essential to do so #ukstorm
— PublicHealthEngland (@PHE_uk) December 23, 2013
Motorbikes and bicycles are very vulnerable to cross winds, so avoid using them if possible in areas affected by #UKStorm
— PublicHealthEngland (@PHE_uk) December 23, 2013

Power cuts

The BBC is reporting that 9,000 homes and businesses are without power in Berkshire.
Updated

Hampshire

Trains between Basingstoke and Winchester may be delayed by up to 60 minutes because of a tree on the line, passengers have been warned.
Updated
BBC weather says a wind of 100mph has been recorded in the eastern Highlands.
Current conditions on Cairngorm Mountain: 100mph wind. temperature minus 4C, driving snow #ukstorm Peter G
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) December 23, 2013
You can see on this map how winds have been picking up across the UK.
Max wind gusts in mph in the hour up to 1300. #ukstorm pic.twitter.com/sxC40iLnoR
— MeteoGroup UK (@WeatherCast_UK) December 23, 2013
And there's more... all lines in Shipley near Bradford are closed due to trains on the overhead wires.

Rail

Better news on the trains from Devon but news of more disruption in Wales.
Trains from #Totnes to #Plymouth are now able to run normally after a tree was moved off the line #UKStorm
— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) December 23, 2013
#UKStorm - Buses are replacing trains between Pontypridd and Treherbert / Aberdare because of flooding at Pontypridd
— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) December 23, 2013
Updated

Power cuts

A spokeswoman for Western Power Distribution said the number of homes and businesses without power in Cornwall has increased to 3,000, with a further 2,000 properties also without power across the south west.
Updated
That highest wind speed I just told you about has been beaten. It is also in Capel Curig in Conwy, North Wales, where it has reached 87mph.
The highest wind speed recorded so far was in Capel Curig in Wales, with gales blowing at 75mph.
Not far behind was Berry Head in Devon with gusts of 73mph, and St Mary's Airport in the Isles of Scilly with winds of 71mph.
The largest amount of rainfall so far has been recorded in Whitechurch, Dyfed, where rainfall has reached 19.6mm (0.77 inches).
Rising water levels from the River Ouse bring floodwater into riverside roads in York City centre.
Rising water levels from the River Ouse bring floodwater into riverside roads in York City centre as heavy rain and gales sweep across many parts of the UK. Photograph: John Giles/PA

Bristol airport

Bristol airport is reporting disruption to a small number of flights caused by the weather.
Adverse weather has resulted in some disruption but majority of flights operating. Get the latest flight info here http://t.co/TU2F0F2rQV
— Bristol Airport (@OfficialBRS) December 23, 2013
Updated

Rail

More misery on the trains coming in
In Wales, the line is blocked because of flooding between Newport and Hereford and there is no alternative transport being put on at present.
In North Lincolnshire, road transport "has been requested" between Cleethorpes and Barton-on-Humber as the line is blocked due to high winds.
The AA said it has deployed its special operations response team across the south of England and south Wales
Darron Burness, head of the AA’s Flood rescue team, said:
We are working with the Environment Agency and the emergency services to provide support in the South West and elsewhere in southern counties. Drivers should take considerable care while driving as the combination of high winds and heavy rain could be life threatening.

Fatal collision on Sunday

A fatal collision yesterday may have been caused by the weather, my colleague Josh Halliday, writes.
A motorist died on Sunday after his vehicle was involved in a three car pile-up near Bodmin, in Cornwall, which police said may have been caused by a severe hail storm.
Sergeant Olly Tayler, senior investigating officer at Devon & Cornwall police, urged motorists to beware of the “horrendous” weather conditions. “The investigation into what caused the collision continues but one line of enquiry is that there was an unexpected exceptional weather event that happened at the time of the collisions in the form of a hail storm,” he said.
Storm waves break on the sea wall behind buildings on the Cobb in Lyme Regis, England.
Storm waves break on the sea wall behind buildings on the Cobb on 23 December, 2013 in Lyme Regis, England. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Hovercraft

There are also problems on the water. Hovertravel has suspended services between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight due to "adverse weather conditions".
 COPY http://www.theguardian.com/

Nenhum comentário:

Postar um comentário

Postagem em destaque

Ao Planalto, deputados criticam proposta de Guedes e veem drible no teto com mudança no Fundeb Governo quer que parte do aumento na participação da União no Fundeb seja destinada à transferência direta de renda para famílias pobres

Para ajudar a educação, Políticos e quem recebe salários altos irão doar 30% do soldo que recebem mensalmente, até o Governo Federal ter f...