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Storm Ashley latest: Rail and flight delays continue due to 80mph winds as UK put on high alert for flooding

Met Office weather warning also remains in force on Monday morning after Scotland pummelled with 111mph gusts

Jabed Ahmed,Andy Gregory,Tara Cobham
Monday 21 October 2024 13:32 BST
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Planes struggle to land at Heathrow as Storm Ashley hits UK

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Storm Ashley has battered parts of the country with hurricane-force winds and torrential rain as more flights and trains are cancelled.

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.

Speed restrictions are in place on rail lines across Scotland due to the high winds, while flights continued to be impacted at Aberdeen Airport this morning. At least four have been cancelled, including one bound for London Heathrow Airport.

In England, National Rail said Northern services between Bolton and Blackburn were being blocked by a tree on the line this morning.

The Environment Agency had 45 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, in place across England on Monday, including along the south Cornwall coast and large parts of the River Severn, after the river burst its banks, submerging the town of Worcester, the previous day.

A further 96 places were kept on high alert overnight with possible flooding – while, in Scotland, the Scottish Environment Flood Agency had 47 flood warnings in place, with eight issued by Natural Resources Wales.

1729513973

Storm Ashley mapped: Where and when are ‘danger to life’ weather warnings in force across UK?

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

Tom Watling21 October 2024 13:32
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Rugby player struggles to kick during Storm Ashley

Tom Watling21 October 2024 13:01
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In pictures: Swimming during Storm Ashley

A woman braces herself for a cold swim in Salthill, Galway, during Storm Ashley
A woman braces herself for a cold swim in Salthill, Galway, during Storm Ashley (Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
Tom Watling21 October 2024 12:31
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Video: Town in western Ireland battered by Storm Ashley

Below, we have a video showing the extent of Storm Ashley in western Ireland on Sunday.

Tom Watling21 October 2024 12:01
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A person watches the waves at the Blackrock diving tower in Salthill, Galway

(Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
Tom Watling21 October 2024 11:29
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Flood warnings end across UK

Dozens of flood warnings announced by the Met Office after Storm Ashley hit the UK have now ended.

The Met Office has removed all its weather warnings for today.

Tom Watling21 October 2024 10:58
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Storm Ashley brings rail, road and air chaos as UK on high alert over flood warnings

Storm Ashley brings rail, road and air chaos as UK on high alert over flood warnings

First named storm of the season ‘likely’ to bring a threat of injuries and danger to life, Met Office says

Tom Watling21 October 2024 10:29
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Watch: Planes landing at Heathrow Airport face wrath of Storm Ashley’s 80mph winds

Watch: Planes landing at Heathrow Airport face wrath of Storm Ashley’s 80mph winds

Planes at Heathrow Airport have been seen getting blown around by the 80mph winds of Storm Ashley this morning (20 October). A number of flights from the like of BA and Virgin Atlantic were seen by Big Jet TV making their approach, sometimes sideways, before struggling to touch down in the bluster. Storm Ashley is “likely” to bring a threat of injuries and danger to life, the Met Office has said, with weather warnings issued across the UK. The storm is the first named storm of the year.

Tom Watling21 October 2024 10:01
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In pictures: People struggle with the winds of Storm Ashley

Members of the public walk along a road as waves crash against the sea defences as storm Ashley arrives in Saltcoats, Scotland,
Members of the public walk along a road as waves crash against the sea defences as storm Ashley arrives in Saltcoats, Scotland, (Getty Images)
People struggle to walk in the wind on the promenade in Salthill, Galway
People struggle to walk in the wind on the promenade in Salthill, Galway (Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
(Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
Tom Watling21 October 2024 09:31
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Storm Ashley mapped: Where and when are ‘danger to life’ weather warnings in force across UK?

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

Tom Watling21 October 2024 08:59

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