UK braced for worst storm in years

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 27 Oktober 2013 | 19.21

27 October 2013 Last updated at 07:58 ET
Stormy weather for UK

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Autumn storm approaches UK

Millions of people in England and Wales have been warned to prepare for heavy rain and hurricane-force winds on Sunday night and Monday.

Gusts of up to 80mph (130km/h) are predicted as the storm hits the South West then moves north and eastwards.

There are fears of flooding, damage to buildings, trees falling and disruption to power supplies and travel.

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted to say he had chaired a discussion on plans to protect people from the storm.

The Met Office said 20-40mm (0.80-1.6 ins) of rain might fall within six to nine hours in the wettest areas.

It said the predicted storm - named St Jude after the patron saint of depression and lost causes, whose feast day is on Monday - was not one "you would see every year".

Roads, flights and trains are expected to be disrupted, and some rail operators have already announced revised timetables.

A Met Office amber alert for high winds in southern Wales, southern England, much of the Midlands, the East, London and the South East is in place.

A yellow alert warning of heavy rain that could lead to surface water flooding and disruption is in place for Wales and the whole of England except the East and South East.

An amber warning means "be prepared", while yellow means "be aware". No warnings are currently in place at the top red level, which means "take action".

Michael Fish

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Michael Fish told the BBC technology had made earlier forecasting much easier

The Environment Agency has warned of the possibility of surface water flooding on Monday, but currently assesses it as a "low risk".

A spokesman said teams were working to minimise river flood risk, clearing debris from streams and unblocking culverts.

BBC Weather presenter Nick Miller said the storm was in a "developing and deepening" area of low pressure in the Atlantic which developed off the east coast of the US.

He said there were "still some uncertainties" about how strong the winds would be, but a band of heavy rain across England and Wales would result in standing water and spray during rush hour on Monday.

The storm is expected to reach the South West in the early hours of Monday, and should have moved across the country to the North Sea by lunchtime.

Northern Ireland and Scotland are expected to be spared the worst of the weather.

High winds have already been reported in some areas, with a wind turbine collapsing in Devon on Saturday night.

In other developments:

  • Forecasters said exposed coasts in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent could face the strongest winds
  • The Metropolitan Police is urging people to use its 101 number during the storm rather than 999, unless there is a "genuine" emergency
  • The AA said stormy conditions could cause "significant travel disruption on Monday morning"
  • Several ferry companies have cancelled services, including some English Channel and Irish Sea crossings
  • Airports including Heathrow and Gatwick are warning of possible disruption to flights and advising passengers to check with airlines before starting journeys
  • National Rail Enquiries has warned the weather may affect services on "most routes across central and southern England and Wales"

Kelly Oster-Coyle, of the Association of British Insurers, said people should do "small practical things" to prepare for the storm but insurers knows "things will be flying around" in the high winds and will be ready to pay out to customers.

Wind speeds of 115 mph were recorded during the so-called Great Storm of October 1987.

Forecaster Michael Fish, who famously reassured viewers there was no "hurricane" on the way, said the weather over the coming days would not rival the Great Storm.

He told the BBC News Channel: "Present thoughts are there are three storms it's comparable to - March 2008, January 2007 and October 2000."

But he said a repeat of the 1987 storm was "possible".

There is more information about the forecasts for Sunday and Monday on the BBC Weather, Met Office and Environment Agency websites. See BBC Travel News for up to date travel information and the Highways Agency and Traffic Wales websites for details about road conditions. BBC Local has information from your area.


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