Storm Ashley latest: Flights cancelled and River Severn bursts banks as UK on high alert over flood warnings
Met Office weather warning remains in force on Monday morning after Scotland pummelled with 111mph gusts
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Storm Ashley has brought travel chaos and cut power to thousands as it pummelled parts of the UK with hurricane-force winds and torrential rain.
Dozens of flights were cancelled and diverted at airports including Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow, while debris and uprooted trees caused havoc on parts of the rail network.
Around 100 flood warnings were in place across Scotland, England and Wales late on Sunday night as the River Severn burst its banks, submerging the town of Worcester.
Power was cut to more than 10,000 customers in Northern Ireland, where the Met Office had issued one of two amber alerts for winds it said would likely cause injuries and pose a danger to life.
As the storm passed over the Scottish Highlands on Sunday night, average wind speeds hit 85mph with gusts of at least 111mph provisionally recorded at the summit of Cairn Gorm.
A yellow weather warning for wind remains in force for much of Scotland until 9am on Monday, with the Met Office cautioning “fallen debris and trees” could affect commuters.
Full report: Weather warnings in place as Storm Ashley hits
Weather warnings in place as Storm Ashley hits
Heavy rain and winds of up to 80mph are predicted in parts of the UK during the first named storm of the season.
Watch: Storm Ashley set to batter UK with 80mph winds
Police Scotland issue warning to motorists
Police Scotland have advised motorists to “plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel where possible” ahead of the “strong likelihood” of disruption on roads.
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Police Scotland’s head of road policing, said: “Make sure your vehicle has sufficient fuel and is completely roadworthy, with tyre pressure and tread meeting legal requirements.
“Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged in the event you need to call for assistance and if it is likely you may be within your vehicle for long periods of time, take additional clothing and water with you.”
Four flood warnings and six flood alerts removed on Sunday morning
The Environment Agency has removed six flood warnings and four flood alerts on Sunday morning.
A flood warning means flooding is epected while a flood alert means it is possible. There are now 37 flood warnings and 135 flood alerts remaining.
The flood warnings removed are:
- North Bank of the Humber estuary in the east of Hull
- North Sea coast at Easington and Kilnsea
- North Sea coast at Hornsea
The flood alerts removed are:
- Humber estuary from Hessle Haven to Faxfleet
- Humber estuary from Lords Clough to Hessle Haven
- Humber estuary from Spurn Point to Winestead Outfall
- North Sea coast at Skipsea, Hornsea and Mappleton
- North Sea coast at Withernsea, Easington and Kilnsea
- North Sea coast from Staithes to Whitby including tidal River Esk
- River Teme at Stanford Bridge (flood warning removed but flood alert remains in wider area)
Storm Ashley mapped: Where and when are ‘danger to life’ weather warnings in force across UK?
The Met Office has issued “danger to life” weather warnings as parts of the UK brace for Storm Ashley to bring rain and winds of up to 80mph this weekend.
The first named storm of the season will initially hit Ireland on Sunday morning, where warnings for strong winds are in force across seven counties, including Galway, Mayo, Kerry and Donegal.
It will then track northeastwards and reach the UK early on Sunday morning, according to the Met Office, bringing with it likely power cuts, damage to buildings and travel disruption. Dozens of flood warnings are also in place.
Andy Gregory reports:
Storm Ashley mapped: Where are weather warnings in force across the UK?
Met Office is warning of possible damage to homes, power cuts and disruption to travel by air, road, rail and ferry
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