Gale-force storms set to continue

Nov 23 2012

Heavy wind and rain which has brought chaos to large parts of the country will continue this weekend.

Hundreds of drivers were stranded, thousands of homes were without power and more than 100 people evacuated as winds reached more than 86mph. Many roads were left impassable as homeowners were again forced to protect their properties as water deluged swathes of the country.

The Environment Agency has increased the number of flood warnings for rivers to 92 with a total of 214 less serious flood alerts in place across England and Wales.

The areas worst affected by the heavy downpours were Wales and south-west England but the majority of the UK was hit by the storms as they were pushed eastwards throughout the day, causing flash flooding.

While the rainfall overnight was lighter compared to earlier in the day, much of it fell on already saturated ground. The Met Office said some areas saw up to 60mm (5in) of rain during the day, causing further river and surface water flooding.

On Thursday night Westonbirt had the heaviest rainfall between 6pm and midnight, reaching 22mm, while 19mm fell in Bournemouth. The highest winds were recorded at Capel Curig in Wales reaching 86mph, but much of the UK battled with winds of 60 to 70mph during the day and throughout the night.

A spokesman for the MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said the country would be greeted with some welcome respite, but more storms are on their way this weekend.

Western Power said that 2,500 customers in the South West and 500 in Wales were without power because of high winds bringing down power lines, but that it was working to reconnect them as quickly as possible.

North Wales became the latest area to be deluged on Thursday night, with the Gwynedd area worst affected. Both roads joining Anglesey and the mainland, the A55 and the A5, were closed near Bangor after a river burst its banks.

Three children had to be rescued from Dolbadarn primary school in Llanberis by firefighters in a boat on Thursday afternoon when they were prevented from leaving by high water, North Wales Fire and Rescue said.