High winds batter Britain

Motorists struggle through flood water in Wales

Winds of more than 90mph have battered Britain as a storm settled over much of the country, bringing gales, rain and travel chaos.

Motorists are being warned to take care in dangerous driving conditions and stretches of motorways and roads have been closed.

The Environment Agency is urging people to stay alert to the risk of increased flooding

Environment Agency

The Met Office says structural damage could occur and high sided vehicles may be at risk of being overturned.

Devon and Cornwall have been hit by flash floods and fallen trees have blocked a number of roads.

Two people had to be airlifted to safety after they were injured on a French ferry in the English Channel which was hit by gales.

Click here to see a map of gale-hit UK

The two crew members sustained serious injuries - one breaking both his legs, the other suffering spinal damage.

The rescue operation was co-ordinated by Falmouth Coastguards.

Between 20mm and 30mm of rain fell across the south east overnight and BBC Weather forecasters say the wintry conditions will continue well into next week.

An Environment Agency spokesman said agricultural fields and low lying farmland were most at risk from flooding.

There were 70 flood warnings in place at 0630GMT on Tuesday.

Twenty four warnings covered rivers in Wales, 27 in the Midlands, 11 in the North East, six in the South West, one in the South and another in the North West.

Motorway closures

The spokesman added: "The Environment Agency is urging people to stay alert to the risk of increased flooding, to keep up to date with the latest flood information and to take the necessary action to protect themselves, their property and their livestock if warnings are issued."

BBC Travel News says the M6 in Cheshire is closed both ways over the Thelwall Viaduct between junctions 20 and 21 because of high winds.

The M4 in South Wales is closed each way at junction 41, Port Talbot, also due to high winds.

In Wales police have closed the M4 motorway bridge into Swansea.

Mountain roads

In Greater Manchester, the orbital M60 around city was closed clockwise at Barton Bridge due to high winds and a lorry overturning between junctions 10 and 11.

Motorists in Cumbria were being advised not to use high mountain roads because of the wind and to take care on lower roads due to flooding.

The old Severn Bridge has been shut for some time, and there are delays on the new bridge after a lorry was blown over.

Falmouth coastguard says a couple of ships reported minor difficulties in gusts of wind which reached over 80mph, but that the winds are now easing off.

The BBC Weather Centre says the early rain and gales are expected to clear from eastern areas with most of the country seeing sunny intervals and blustery showers later in the day.

---

Click here to return