Flood warnings in Britain as storms lash coast

A STORM rushing in from the Atlantic lashed Wales and southern England yesterday as high winds and tides brought the risk of coastal flooding.

Winds gusting over 130km/h brought down trees, ripped off roof tiles and damaged power lines, cutting electricity to 10,000 homes.

The Environment Agency issued 27 flood warnings in the south and south-east, but lifted its highest severe flood warnings from around the Cornish and Devon coastlines.

A spokeswoman for the agency said it was most concerned about possible flooding along the Bristol Channel, Severn estuary and the Somerset coastline.

Gusts of up to 135km/h were forecast for the height of the storm around midday, with blustery weather expected to continue until tomorrow.

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.

There was huge disruption to train services in southern England, as falling branches blocked lines and speed restrictions were imposed as a precaution.

The strongest winds were recorded at Brixham in Devon, and at Mumbles near Swansea on the south Wales coast, where gusts of 132km/h were recorded in the early morning.

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

A spokesman for the port said that travellers had stayed away but that it was hoped to resume crossings in the afternoon.

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

Airport authorities advised travellers to check flights in advance as the weather caused dozens of delays and cancellations.

Ms Barbara Young, chief executive of the Environment Agency, discussed preparations for the storms with Prime Minster Gordon Brown on Sunday. “We are as well prepared as is possible,” she said.

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

Ms Young urged people not to go and watch waves crashing onto sea walls.

“Right along the coast from south Wales, right through Devon and Cornwall almost as far as Kent, we could see the sea coming over the sea walls,” she told BBC television. “It’s very impressive to watch, but these waves could come over at any time.”