[DoctorD]

Post all of your MEDIA related reports of the UK severe weather 10th March 2008 here.

[Dollsworth]

The Environment Agency has issued a severe flood warning for the whole of the Devon and Cornwall coast amid storm warnings for south and west Britain.

Large parts of England and Wales are braced for what experts warn may be the worst storm of the winter.
The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK, with winds of up to 80mph (130km/h) expected.

Forecasters said storms on Monday and Tuesday could disrupt travel and bring down power lines and trees. The agency is urging people to stay away from exposed coastal areas and to check for flood warnings in their area.

The agency's director of operations, Paul Leinster, said: "There will be a potent cocktail of strong winds, wave action and high tides from Sunday night through until Wednesday."
He said that gale force winds were expected to combine with spring high tides to raise water levels along the coast by up to 1.5 metres over normal levels.
Mr Leinster said: "We understand that people are fascinated by the sea but at times like this we do urge them not to go and watch the high waves - it is extremely dangerous and only takes a few seconds for someone to be knocked off their feet, into the water."
By 2200 GMT on Sunday there were seven severe flood warnings in place in Devon and Cornwall and 37 other warnings in locations including southern England, and the Severn and Mersey estuaries.

Ferries between Portsmouth and Bilbao in Spain have also been cancelled because of fears of severe storms at sea.
P and O Ferries said it had cancelled its Sunday sailing from Portsmouth to Bilbao, and from Bilbao to Portsmouth on 11 March.
The company's website also said sailings between Dover and Calais are being delayed by up to an hour because of the weather conditions. Senior government officials met on Sunday afternoon to discuss the threat from the storm and to check that local authorities were prepared for floods.

BBC weather forecaster Peter Gibbs said a storm of this ferocity usually occurs once a year.
Much of the severe weather this winter had hit the north of Britain, whereas this storm would affect the south and the west, he added.

Martin Young, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "It will be very windy for many parts of the UK in the early part of next week, but especially so across coasts in the south.
"Southerly winds are expected to strengthen during the early hours of Monday causing severe gales. "After a brief respite, further westerly severe gales are forecast for later in the day and into the early hours of Tuesday."

Full story: BBC NEWS | UK | Flood alert amid storm warnings

[Dollsworth]

A Nice satellite sequence showing the storm approaching during Sunday: BBC NEWS | In Pictures | Satellite images of storm

[Philip Bedford]

That was good.
Cant wait fot the next pic in the sequence.

[Dollsworth]

People are being urged to stay away from coastal areas from Sunday to Wednesday as severe weather brings the risk of high waves and flooding.
Forecasters at the Met Office, UK's national weather service, have issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK, with winds of 70 m.p.h. expected across southern and western parts of the British Isles, perhaps up to 80 m.p.h. in exposed areas.

As a result of the warnings the Environment Agency is urging people to stay away from coastal areas, particularly in the South West, Wales and North West England.
Martin Young, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: " It will be very windy for many parts of the UK in the early part of next week, but especially so across coasts in the south. Southerly winds are expected to strengthen during the early hours of Monday causing severe gales. After a brief respite, further westerly severe gales are forecast for later in the day and into the early hours of Tuesday."

David Rooke, Head of Flood Risk Management at the Environment Agency said: “People living in properties in low lying exposed coastal areas along the South West, Wales and North West England should make sure they are monitoring the situation from Sunday afternoon onwards by checking flood updates on the Environment Agency website or ringing Floodline.

"The strong winds will combine with spring high tides to significantly elevate the water levels along the coast which is likely to cause some flooding.

"We understand that people are fascinated by the sea but at times like this we do urge them not to go and watch the high waves – it is extremely dangerous and only takes a few seconds for someone to be knocked off their feet, into the water.”
The Met Office and Environment Agency are continually monitoring the forecast. People are advised to stay in touch with the latest weather forecast and warnings on the Met Office website, and tune into local radio and TV. Those concerned by the risk of coastal flooding should call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for the latest flood warnings in their area.
Article: Met Office: Stay away from the coast

[moscrop .inc]

Rain and high winds battering UK

In pictures: Satellite images
Rain and fierce winds are hitting parts of the UK, as what could be winter's worst storm moves in from the Atlantic.


BBC NEWS | UK | Rain and high winds battering UK

[Grant]

WINDS of more than 80mph ripped through Britain today as a tanker with 13 crew on board hit trouble off the Isle of Wight in stormy conditions.

The Swedish vessel, bound for Fawley, Hampshire, was dragging anchor off the coast near Bembridge.

“We have got two tugs proceeding to her to help her out and get her back to anchor and hold her there off the shore,” said Solent Coastguard watch officer Geoff Matthews.

“We are going to keep the crew on board and keep the ship afloat.

“We won’t take the crew off until absolutely necessary.”

Meanwhile, trees have been uprooted and buildings damaged across the country, with the emergency services bracing themselves after a night of gale-force winds.

There have been no major incidents reported so far, but forecasters warn the extreme weather will continue across southern England throughout the day.

Crisis operation | Launched | UK prepared for monster storm | The Sun |HomePage|News

[Grant]

The entire coast of Devon and Cornwall faced a severe flood warning today as a major storm battered much of Britain, bringing winds of up to 80mph and torrential rain coupled with high spring tides.

The storm, caused by one of the deepest weather depressions in a decade, brought a "potent cocktail" of winds, waves and high tides, likely to last until Wednesday and bringing the risk of major flooding, the Environment Agency said.

"The gale force winds will combine with spring high tides to significantly elevate the water levels along the coast by up to 1.5m over normal levels, which is likely to cause some flooding," the agency's director of operations, Paul Leinster, said.

With severe flood warnings in place for the entire Devon and Cornwall coast, coastguards toured exposed areas with loudhailers, warning householders of the potential threat. Police forces placed officers on standby, while fire services borrowed extra rescue boats from other counties.

More than 5,000 homes in the West Country and south Wales, also buffeted by gales, were without electricity this morning. Fire services reported fallen trees across roads and minor damage to roofs.

The government's crisis committee, Cobra, held an emergency meeting in Whitehall last night, overseen by Gordon Brown via a conference call. The committee discussed potential damage to infrastructure by the expected flooding and threats to transport, including flights from the main airports.

However, fears of Monday morning travel chaos remained unrealised, with Network Rail saying there were no major delays expected on the trains this morning.

Ships were sheltering from the high seas, and coastguards reported no major incidents. Travellers were advised to check before setting out to catch flights or ferries.

The highest recorded wind speed was 82mph at Berry Head in Brixham, south Devon, while the Needles - off the Isle of Wight coast - experienced gusts of 70mph.

The winds also hit London this morning, with Heathrow buffeted by 42mph winds. In other parts of the country, winds on the east coast of Northern Ireland hit 63mph, Crosby in Merseyside, saw 42mph gusts, and gales reached 46mph in Birmingham.

Flood alert in West Country as 80mph winds batter Britain | Environment | guardian.co.uk

[scotweather]

BBC News In Pictures - Photos sent into the BBC with regard to today's weather event

BBC NEWS | In Pictures | Stormy weather in the UK

[Grant]

and some more at BBC NEWS | In Pictures | Your pictures of the UK storms