Atlantic superstorm for Britain

WARNING: Massive 100MPH Atlantic superstorm will 'smash' into Britain THIS weekend

A HUGE superstorm is brewing in the north Atlantic and will smash into Britain within 72 hours.

the Express,

5 February, 2014

Horrific storm-force gales of up to 100mph will lash the coasts while devastating gusts of 70mph are expected inland.

Up to two inches of rain will pound flood-hit regions in a matter of hours on Friday night before yet another storm smashes into Britain on Saturday.

In a statement the Met Office’s chief meteorologist said: “Yet another rapidly deepening area of low pressure will approach the southwest later on Friday.

“A further 20-30 mm of rain is expected widely within the warning area, while 40-50 mm is possible on high ground in the southwest.

“Coming so soon after previous rainfall events, this is likely to augment the impacts.

“The public should be aware of disruption to travel from the combination of this heavy rain with the very strong winds, especially in areas where flooding has occurred recently.”

It comes as yet another vicious night of storms left more than 40,000 homes without power in the South West.

Western Power Distribution said 5,000 properties are still without power after 80mph winds caused "airborne debris" to fly into overhead lines.

A spokesman said: "Over the last 12 hours or so 44,000 customers in the South West have been off supply at some point but we've managed to restore it to all but 5,000 homes.

"It's an extremely exceptional event. We have new staff being drafted in from nearby to replace our teams this morning. We have a constant approach to this because of the ongoing strong winds."

Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, warned Britain is braced for a repeat of the devastating October St Jude’s Day Storm.

He warned savage winds will be strong enough to tear down trees, damage buildings and whip up colossal 30-foot waves.

He said: “This is a real monster heading towards the UK on Friday, it is bigger than anything we have seen this year.

“Gusts will easily tip 100mph in exposed regions and along the coasts with 70mph possible inland and widespread around the UK.

“This is a very significant storm on the way and is capable of causing some real damage.”

The warning comes as Britain battles a week of wind and rain which is heaping  misery in the south of the country.

Parts of Somerset have been left knee-deep in floodwater with some communities cut off after weeks of relentless downpours.

The Met Office has severe weather warnings for heavy rain in the region for the next four days as emergency services battle to contain the crisis.

Today the Government pledged a further £100million to fund essential flood repairs and maintenance over the next year.

Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement in the Commons this afternoon, ahead of chairing a meeting of Cobra - the civil contingencies committee that leads responses to national crises.

At Prime Minister's questions, Mr Cameron told MPs: "Whatever is required, whether it is dredging work on the rivers Tone and Parrett [in Dorset and Somerset], whether it is support for our emergency services, whether it is fresh money for flood defences, whether it is action across the board, this Government will help those families and get this issue sorted."

Gale force winds of up to 90mph lashed parts of the UK last night, badly disrupting rail services across the South West.

In Dawlish, between Exeter and Cornwall, a section of seawall under the coastal railway line collapsed and two people had to be rescued from a car.

First Great Western said all lines between Exeter St Davids and Penzance had been closed but was hopeful services would resume this morning.

Meanwhile residents were evacuated from 30 flooded houses in Kingsand, Cornwall, and Tamar Coastguard Rescue Team helped rescue "a number of people".

There was further flooding in Looe, where people have been advised to stay away from the seafront amid fears of huge waves.

Meanwhile in Brighton a major part of the iconic West Pier collapsed after being battered by rough seas. A number of the Grade-1 listed structure’s main supports appear to have been washed away, splitting the former pavilion into two sections.

The bad weather continues hours after the Prince of Wales said the "tragedy" on the flood-hit Somerset Levels is that "nothing happened for so long".

Charles made the remarks as he met farmers, flood victims and emergency services personnel affected by the continuing disaster. The Somerset Levels suffered "once in 100 years" flooding in July 2012, but has endured even worse conditions since December.

He pledged a £50,000 donation to support flood victims, with the Duke of Westminster matching the funding with an additional £50,000.

Charles's comments came amid growing anger over a perceived lack of Government action to help flood-hit areas on the Levels.

Residents have begged the Environment Agency to start dredging, with many complaining they are living in "third world" conditions with "overflowing" septic tanks.

The prince was recorded by ITV News making the comments during a reception of 80 people in the village of Stoke St Gregory.

"There's nothing like a jolly good disaster to get people to start doing something," the prince said. "The tragedy is that nothing happened for so long."

Port Melon near Mevagissey in Cornwall resembled a Hollywood disaster movie early this morning [SWNS]

The Environment Agency last night warned strong winds triggering massive waves today will lead to further flooding.

It said another round of severe flood warnings, which indicate a ‘danger to life’, will be issued in the south-west coast.

Head of Incident Management John Curtin said: “Following the wettest January on record in some places we are now set to experience successive bands of heavy rain heavy rain fall lasting into the weekend.

“With further river and coastal flooding expected this week we have teams working around the clock to protect homes and communities, and over 117,000 homes have been protected over the past three days.

“Strong winds and waves could be dangerous, and we would urge people to take care near coastal paths and promenades for fear of being swept away, and not to drive through flood water. “

Met Office has issued fresh severe weather warnings today [Met Office]

Leon Brown, forecaster for The Weather Channel, said Britain faces another seven days of heavy rain with up to three times the normal amount for February.

He said a “large and deep area of low pressure” will nudge close to the UK by midday today bringing the next bout of wind and rain.

He said: “South Wales and south-west England, including Dorset and Somerset, can expect 20 to 40mm [1.6ins]  in the 24-hour period to midday Wednesday.

 “There will be gusts 50 to 60mph inland and 70 to 80mph over exposed coastal areas in the south. Huge seas for the SW coasts with waves reaching 10 metres [33ft] in height.”

“The weather continuing very unsettled next week, but also colder and a risk that rain bands moving north may bring some snow to higher parts of Wales and central to northern England.”

The predictions which come as figures show part of the UK have endured the wettest January on record  have triggered a frenzy of betting on whether February will follow suit.

Labrokes has set odds of 6/1 that this month is the wettest on record although it is odds on at 1/10 there will be no hosepipe ban this year.

Spokesman Jessica Bridge said: “Unfortunately it looks like the rain is here to stay, and although the weather might be miserable punters can at least cash in on February being another record breaker. Suffice to say we’ll be staggered if there’s a hosepipe ban this year.”

Coral has slashed odds on Britain having the wettest year on record from 5/2 to 15/8 with 40/1 it rains every day during Wimbledon.

Spokesman Nicola McGeady said: “The bad weather isn’t letting up anytime soon, and with the endless deluge continuing, it’s looking more and more likely that 2014 will be the wettest year ever recorded in Britain.”

January 2014 saw record rainfall across Britain [MET OFFICE ]

Despite the dire warnings for a stormy run up to summer, forecasters say it will be warmer than average.

But in its three-month contingency planner, the Met Office said latest predictions suggest temperatures will stay above average until April.

It states: “Latest predictions for February favour a continuation of the predominately mild conditions experienced so far this winter, with above-average temperatures more likely than below-average.

“For February-March-April as a whole, confidence is lower, but temperatures near-to slightly above-average are most probable.”

Dawlish seafront properties evacuated as 'unbelievable' storms continue

Storm likened to 'being in a car wash' as 50 people are moved from their homes and buckled track closes mainline train route

the Guardian,

5 February, 2014

The residents of Riviera Terrace and Sea Lawn Terrace in Dawlish are used to their homes shaking a little when a storm hits the Devon coast and don't take much notice when high waves throw spray up against their front windows.

"But this was different," said Neil Jones. "It was like being in a car wash. The waves were pounding against the terrace." When he went and took a look at the buckled mainline rail track, which runs a few metres in from the sea, he knew they were in trouble. "Then the police and rail people came running and told us to get out. We just upped and left."

Neil Jones and his son, Issac. Photograph: Steven Morris

 

Jones, 42, was to be found recovering on higher ground at the Dawlish leisure centre with his 14-month-old son, Isaac. "We don't have any spare clothes, just what we stand up in and I don't know when we'll get back in. I'm not sure we'll ever get back there permanently if the sea has gone right under the road."

Around 26 families – perhaps around 50 people – were evacuated from the seafront at Dawlish on Tuesday night. On Wednesday some of them were being cared for at the leisure centre, and Teignbridge district council housing staff were finding them temporary accommodation. Police declared a major incident and two people had to be rescued from a car. Emergency services asked sightseers to stay away.

The storms will have a lasting impact on people, not just here but much further west in Devon and Cornwall. It is not yet known how long it will take to restore the breach in the mainline route into Devon and Cornwall.

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw is one of the south-west MPs who has campaigned strongly for improvement to transport infrastructure into the south-west.

He tweeted: "Loss of railway at Dawlish if true terrible news for Devon & Cornwall huge economic impact major resilience upgrades vital now."

John Clatworthy, Devon county councillor for Dawlish, said: "I have been here for 44 years and we haven't had storm damage like we have now. The storm last night was unbelievable.

"It is not just Dawlish that is affected, this railway line is to Plymouth, the naval bases, Cornwall – it is a lifeline. Something needs to be done and it is not just a five-minute job."

The district council said the storm had also damaged manmade defences at Dawlish Warren – and the sand ridge, which provides a natural barrier.

Gilly Robinson and her daughter Freya, whose house is in 'a pretty awful state'. Photograph: Steven Morris

Gilly Robinson and her daughter Freya were allowed back to their home on the seafront on Wednesday lunchtime – with a police escort – to retrieve some possessions. "It's in a pretty dreadful state," said Robinson, "The sea's got in and the carpets are sodden."

They were off to stay with Robinson's mother a few miles up the coast. "The scary thing was when we suddenly heard a "bang, bang, bang" on the front door. I was dozing in a chair and thought I was dreaming. But usually it's a lovely place to live. The view, the sunrises and sunsets, are amazing."

Tracey Griffin, who moved in to her house two years ago, was not so sanguine. "I hope the house floats off. I was asleep when the police came and banged on our door. We're quite high so I was amazed that we were affected."

Griffin is used to flooding problems. Before moving to Devon, she lived in Tewkesbury. "Yes, we used to get flooded there too," said Griffin. "We must be suckers for punishment."

UK storms destroy railway line and leave thousands without power

Parts of Britain have been hit by a storm which destroyed a stretch of railway, forced people from their homes and left thousands without power.

BBC,

5 February, 2014

A section of the sea wall in Dawlish, Devon, collapsed and left the railway to Cornwall suspended in mid-air.

Residents of homes on the Somerset Levels were evacuated amid fears flood defences could be overwhelmed.

David Cameron chaired his first Cobra meeting this year and announced an extra £100m for flood works.

At Prime Minister's Questions he pledged £75m for repairs over the next year, £10m for urgent work in Somerset - where several rivers have flooded - and £15m for maintenance.

Mr Cameron said he would "ensure that everything that can be done to get stricken communities moving is being done: there are no restrictions on help".

The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Cameron had given the "clearest possible sign" that he needed to "be seen to be getting a grip" on the response to the floods.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson's handling of the crisis has been widely criticised.

He will not be chairing the Cobra emergency committee or giving a statement to the House of Commons on Thursday after being diagnosed with a detached retina. Instead, Mr Paterson will undergo emergency surgery