Storm Dennis: Man dies in sea off Kent as Met Office issues new ‘high impact’ weather warning

Military troops and the Environment Agency were working throughout the morning to put up barriers and repair flood defences in Yorkshire in anticipation for flooding due to Storm Dennis.

According to the Environment Agency, 700 metres of deployable flood defences are being installed at in the town of Ilkley in West Yorkshire, where the River Wharf is susceptible to flooding.

The increase in flood defences come after Calder Valley suffered severe damage caused by Storm Ciara last weekend.

About 500 homes and 400 businesses were flooded at the time, said Calderdale Council.

Colonel Nigel Rhodes, Deputy Commander of 4th Infantry Brigade and HQ North East, said soldiers were happy to help.

"Troops will remain on task as long as required," he said.

"4th Infantry Brigade is based in Catterick and serves the communities of Yorkshire and the North East and are happy to be doing our bit and contributing to the swift response from the civil agencies."

The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has reminded people not to drive through flood water while Storm Dennis is ongoing.

"May we take this opportunity to remind you not to drive through flood water, water can be misleading and hide many hazards and of course has the potential to damage and stop your car whilst you are inside," it said in a tweet.

Forecasters in Ireland have issued an orange alert for strong winds as gusts up to 110km/h (approximately 68 mph) are expected tp hit hills and coasts from 8pm on Saturday.

The gale-force winds will continue till 10am on Sunday in most of the country. Met Eireann also said coastal flooding is a risk.

The alert covers large parts of the western Atlantic seabaord, from Donegal in the north west to Cork in the south.

Storm Dennis has also knocked out power for about 3,000 properties and caused several flights to be cancelled at Dublin airport.

A body has been found following reports that a man had fallen off a boat around the Kent coast, according to HM Coastguard.

More information in our breaker:

The HM Coastguard Rescue Team in Torbay, Devon, issued safety advice for Meadfoot Beach amid Storm Dennis and warned visitors to the beach that "debris including large rocks" were being carried by waves.

Pet owners have posted their furry companions' cosy Saturday afternoon indoors as Storm Dennis lashes the country with heavy rain and gale-force winds.

The adorably photos come as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home issued advice for cat owners to keep their pets indoors as cats are "more likely to get lost or distressed" in extreme weather.

"Help them stay occupied and entertained indoors by providing them with lots of interesting toys and games to play with," added the animal shelter.

The advice was echoed by Number 10's Larry the Cat, who tweeted: "All cats should do an immediate audit of the snack situation at your home (send humans for supplies if necessary) and then hunker down."

As for dogs, Battersea said: "We often see an increased number of calls about missing animals during extreme weather. Make sure to check your fences and gates before letting your dog out in the garden and consider keeping your pet indoors during Storm Dennis."

But some pooches were less lucky and had to go for walks in the wet weather, which was highly disapproved of.

A body has been recovered from the sea in Herne Bay, Kent, on Saturday afternoon, the Independent understands.

The incident is not believed to be linked to the body recovered a few miles down in Margate earlier today.

Contrary to previous reports, the man's death is not linked to Storm Dennis and he had been missing since Friday night, said Kent Police.

"Kent Police was called at 12.15pm on Saturday 15 February 2020 to a report a person had been pulled from the sea in Herne Bay.

"Officers attended alongside the Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the South East Coast Ambulance Service where a man was declared dead at the scene," said the force.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner."

Flooding and fallen trees are causing disruption to train services in many parts of the country.

According to National Rail, the following routes are affected:

- Trains between Par and Newquay have been cancelled due to flooding on the railway

- Trains may be delayed up to 20 minutes or revised due to flooding between Hadfield and Manchester Piccadilly

- Trains between Yeovil Junction and Exeter may be delayed or cancelled due to flooding near CrewKerne

- Trains at Amersham may be delayed or revised due to a fallen tree blocking the railway line earlier today

- Trains between Penrith North Lakes and Oxenholme Lake District may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised due to flooding

- All lines on the CrossCountry network are affected by flooding on the railway between Newport and Gloucester, and trains may be cancelled or delayed by up to 120 minutes

- All Transport for Wales lines have been blocked by flooding between Abercynon and Aberdare. Rail replacement buses are running between these stations until further notice

On ScotRail, services have been suspended between Kilwinning, Largs and Ardrossan Harbour. A shuttle service is available between these stations.

ScotRail services between Glasgow Central, Gourock and Wemyss Bay have also been suspended due to flooding at Langbank.

Replacement buses are also running between Perth to Inverness and Dumbarton Central to Helensburgh Central as severe weather has forced train services to be cancelled.

Darkened skies and crashing waves in Stokes Bay, Portsmouth, captured by photographer Papa Whisky on Twitter:

Part of a coastal path near the town of Swanage, Dorset, is collapsing because of Storm Dennis, said Dorset Council.

The council is warning people to "please keep away from the cliffs" while the area is being closed off as there is a "high risk of rock falls and land slips".