Atlantic storm lashes southern England

|PIC1|Residents on the southern coast of England were braced for further possible flooding late on Monday after authorities warned of more severe storms.

Authorities urged residents in the southwest and Wales to remain vigilent as an Atlantic storm battered the coast bringing high winds, above average tides and minor flooding.

With high tides expected on Monday evening in areas such as the Bristol Channel, Severn Estuary and Somerset coast, authorities fear flood barriers could fail.

Baroness Young, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said while a combination of strong winds, big waves and high tides had caused minor flooding along the south coast, the worst could still be to come.

"Although tides over the past 24 hours were close to predicted levels, a change in wind direction in some areas reduced the impact of the waves," she said in a statement.

"There is still a threat of flooding in (the) low lying coastal areas in the southwest and in Wales."

Earlier, wind gusts of more than 80 mph whipped up seas almost a metre above average, an Environment Agency spokeswoman said, bringing down trees, ripping off roof tiles and damaging power lines. Electricity was cut to about 10,000 homes.

The storms also brought transport chaos to many parts of the country. Airport authorities advised travellers to check flights as dozens were delayed or cancelled.

Train commuters suffered as falling branches blocked lines and precautionery speed restrictions were imposed while authorities warned motorists of hazardous driving conditions.

Residents in some parts were evacuated as waves battered much of the coast.

By mid afternoon the Environment Agency had issued 41 flood warnings and a further 68 "flood watches" in the south and southeast after earlier lifting its highest severe flood warnings from around the Cornish and Devon coastlines.

It advised people to check the agency's flood hotline (0845 988 1188) and listen to local radio.

An agency spokeswoman said wave "surges" were between 0.6 and 0.7 metres above the astronomical tide level. She said there had been no reports of breaches to flood barriers.

Coastguard tugs were sent to help a 7,500 tonne tanker with 13 crew members on board which was drifting in stormy seas off the Isle of Wight, and escorted it to Southampton.

The strongest winds were recorded at Brixham in Devon, and at Mumbles near Swansea on the south Wales coast, where gusts of 82 mph were recorded in the early morning.

Hurricane force winds in the Channel forced the closure of the Port of Dover where around 12 ferry crossings were cancelled.

In London a woman was knocked unconscious after a hoarding was blown down at West Hampstead railway station.

Young said she had discussed preparations for the storms with Prime Minster Gordon Brown on Sunday.

The government was criticised last year after it appeared slow to act after severe flooding in the northeast and midlands that hit thousands of homes.
Residents on the southern coast of England were braced for further possible flooding late on Monday after authorities warned of more severe storms.

Authorities urged residents in the southwest and Wales to remain vigilent as an Atlantic storm battered the coast bringing high winds, above average tides and minor flooding.

With high tides expected on Monday evening in areas such as the Bristol Channel, Severn Estuary and Somerset coast, authorities fear flood barriers could fail.

Baroness Young, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said while a combination of strong winds, big waves and high tides had caused minor flooding along the south coast, the worst could still be to come.

"Although tides over the past 24 hours were close to predicted levels, a change in wind direction in some areas reduced the impact of the waves," she said in a statement.

"There is still a threat of flooding in (the) low lying coastal areas in the southwest and in Wales."

Earlier, wind gusts of more than 80 mph whipped up seas almost a metre above average, an Environment Agency spokeswoman said, bringing down trees, ripping off roof tiles and damaging power lines. Electricity was cut to about 10,000 homes.

The storms also brought transport chaos to many parts of the country. Airport authorities advised travellers to check flights as dozens were delayed or cancelled.

Train commuters suffered as falling branches blocked lines and precautionery speed restrictions were imposed while authorities warned motorists of hazardous driving conditions.

Residents in some parts were evacuated as waves battered much of the coast.

By mid afternoon the Environment Agency had issued 41 flood warnings and a further 68 "flood watches" in the south and southeast after earlier lifting its highest severe flood warnings from around the Cornish and Devon coastlines.

It advised people to check the agency's flood hotline (0845 988 1188) and listen to local radio.

An agency spokeswoman said wave "surges" were between 0.6 and 0.7 metres above the astronomical tide level. She said there had been no reports of breaches to flood barriers.

Coastguard tugs were sent to help a 7,500 tonne tanker with 13 crew members on board which was drifting in stormy seas off the Isle of Wight, and escorted it to Southampton.

The strongest winds were recorded at Brixham in Devon, and at Mumbles near Swansea on the south Wales coast, where gusts of 82 mph were recorded in the early morning.

Hurricane force winds in the Channel forced the closure of the Port of Dover where around 12 ferry crossings were cancelled.

In London a woman was knocked unconscious after a hoarding was blown down at West Hampstead railway station.

Young said she had discussed preparations for the storms with Prime Minster Gordon Brown on Sunday.

The government was criticised last year after it appeared slow to act after severe flooding in the northeast and midlands that hit thousands of homes.