UK storms: 100mph winds batters the UK as power cuts and travel chaos continues today
'Wild Wednesday' brought more weather misery to Britain
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Communities across Britain were met with hurricane-force 100mph winds yesterday as stormy weather continued to batter parts of the UK, causing travel chaos and leaving tens of thousands of homes without power.
Today, engineers are working to restore power to the 65,000 homes still affected and further travel disruption is expected.
Gusts of 112mph were recorded in Aberdaron in North Wales, the strongest so far in the storm on the day dubbed "wild Wednesday". Work to clear the debris and damage caused by these winds has begun this morning
Britain remains on alert with the River Thames expected to rise to its highest level in more than 60 years and more than 400 flood warnings in place across England and Wales.
One man, who has been named as Roger Hayward, 71, died in a suspected electrocution while attempting to move a tree that had been brought down by power cables in Chippenham, Wiltshire. A lorry driver was taken to hospital after high winds blew over his vehicle in Bristol, while another received treatment after being trapped under a fallen tree in Chivenor, Barnstaple, Devon.
Travel updates:
- Lines between Stockport and Macclesfield have now been opened following overhead wire problems.
- Trains between Gravesend and Higham are being delayed by up to 15 mins because of speed restrictions between these stations.
- The First TransPennine Express Newcastle - Manchester Airport service will not run between Newcastle and York.
- Maidenhead to Twyford, Berkshire - Flooding at Waltham means a very limited service. out of Paddington and passengers are advised to check before they travel and avoid Paddington if possible.
- A half-hourly shuttle between Reading and Oxford remains in place because of service restrictions caused by flooding at Maidenhead.
- The CrossCountry Newcastle - Reading/Southampton service will not run between Newcastle and York.
- All Virgin train services are subject to heavy delays, diversions and cancellations.
- There are major delays on some Cross Country, East Coast, East Midlands Trains and First Great Western routes.
Last night the Energy Networks Association (ENA), which represents energy companies in the UK, said about 130,000 homes and businesses were without power across the country.
Some 10,000 customers were affected in the North West, 52,000 in mid and north Wales, 10,000 in Cheshire, 13,000 in the West Midlands and 19,000 in the South West.
The Environment Agency has 14 severe flood warnings in place this morning, which represent a danger to life, in the southeast and two in the southwest of England and Wales.
The Met Office has also issued yellow ‘be aware’ warnings of snow across parts of Scotland, the Northwest and Northeast of England.
The travel chaos that ensued yesterday looks set to continue today. Train services were cancelled in parts of the UK and at one point all Virgin trains travelling out of London Euston were suspended. The train operating company tweeted: "ALL CUSTOMERS TO ABANDON TRAVEL #UKSTORM. More travel disruption has been predicted for today, with passengers being advised to check individual trains.
Seas were last night beginning to build at Porthleven in Cornwall, where harbour master Phil Ward said the wind "is almost lifting the backs of cars".
Prime Minister David Cameron will lead talks on Britan's recovery from one of the wettest winters on record today after savage storms left one man dead and tens of thousands without power.
The floods which have wreaked havoc were an "almost unparalleled" natural crisis, army chief Major General Patrick Sanders said, as hundreds of troops continue to help distraught home owners defend their properties from ever-rising waters.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments