Storm Dennis: Man dies in sea off Kent as Met Office issues new ‘high impact’ weather warning
Forecasters warn of flooding, damage and disruption for second weekend in a row
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Storm Dennis was forecast to cause widespread disruption across the UK as the country battened down its hatches for the second stormy weekend in a row.
Multiple severe weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds were issued by the Met Office as deep floodwater threatened “danger to life”.
Flights were grounded for safety reasons, with British Airways and easyJet confirming cancellations. Passengers were advised to check their airline’s website for latest updates.
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Photographer Ruth Wadey has captured huge dark storm clouds rolling in over Bushy Park, London.
Social media users have dubbed Storm Dennis "Dennis the Menace" as the skies begin to darken and pour over parts of the UK.
The Met Office said: "Saturday afternoon will be very wet and windy across the UK with Storm Dennis and lots of weather warnings in force."
Football matches and other sporting events throughout the country have been postponed or cancelled due to the bad weather.
Many are planning to spend the day indoors.
A traffic camera in Wales has taken a "battering" due to high winds from Storm Dennis, video footage shows.
Traffic Wales, the Welsh Government's traffic information service, said: "We are currently on standby for severe disruption including road closures, delays, diversions, fallen trees, debris and flooding."
Numerous football and rugby matches across the UK have been cancelled or postponed due to already-waterlogged pitches.
Storm Dennis is expected to dump a month's worth of rain in 24 hours, creating dangerous conditions on roads and pitches.
Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, warned the Met Office as it issued a number of severe weather warnings for rain and wind throughout the country.
Last weekend, Storm Ciara blew a stand in Wisbech Town away and flooded the Harry Riverside Stadium so badly it resembled a lake, reported The Non-League Football Paper.
A schoolteacher had an unexpected visitor thanks to Storm Dennis when she discovered a fish on the roof of her car after driving through rain on Saturday morning.
Miss Sheridan of Blackmoor Park Junior School told the Independent: "I just drove home through the rain this morning and it was on the roof of my car? No idea how it got there but definitely not a pet!
"I can only think a sea bird or rain carried it but the latter seems impossible surely?"
The Met Office has issued a new "high impact" weather warning for rain in Wales.
It said: "Spells of heavy and prolonged rain are expected to affect parts of England and Wales over the weekend with higher likelihood of impacts now expected in some areas.
"Around 20-40mm of rain will fall widely with 50-80mm likely across parts of northern and southern England., This rain is expected to fall across areas already wet from recent rainfall."
In a separate warning covering Swansea and Cardiff, the Met Office said: "Prolonged, heavy rain is expected leading to 60-80mm rain widely whilst in a few places 100-120mm is possible."
An urgent search has been launched for a man in the sea near Margate Harbour, with a Royal Navy warship dispatched to help in the search.
HM Coastguard said lifeboats and the coastguard helicopter are involved in the search after reports of a man overboard.
A distress call believed to have originated from B Gas Margrethe, a 99-metre Maltese tanker anchored off the coast of Margate, was received by the coastguard at 5.41am Saturday and an extensive search of the area commenced.
A coastguard spokesman said: "RNLI lifeboats from Ramsgate and Margate have been sent, along with the search and rescue helicopter from Lydd.
"A police RHIB is also on scene. HM Coastguard broadcast a relay to vessels in the area, and a Royal Navy vessel is assisting."
Sixty-gun frigate HMS Winchester is believed to have responded to a relay call and is in the area, according to ship tracking data.
Additional reporting by agencies
Huge waves have battered the harbour wall at Porthcawl, Wales, as people gathered to watch the spectacle.
Dramatic photos show the waves crashing high above the wall, after the Met Office issued a new "high impact warning" in Wales.
28 ft waves are reportedly expected on the south-west and north-west coasts, bigger than waves whipped up by Storm Ciara last weekend.
People watch waves and rough seas pound against the harbour wall at Porthcawl, Wales (PA)
(PA)
Drivers are being warned of dangerous conditions on the road after emergency services in Cornwall responded to a motorist trapped in flood waters.
The Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said it rescued a person who was trapped in their vehicle after driving into floor water and removed the car from the water.
North Wales Police also warned motorists that very high winds have caused debris and branches to fall off trees.
The force added: "Only venture out if absolutely necessary."
The Met Office's weather warning over Wales has sparked some lively commentary on its questionable shape.
The amber warning for rain was updated on Saturday to reflect a higher impact on some areas in Wales.
Social media users noticed the unusual shape and took to Twitter to discuss what it could be.
One person thought it could be a personal vendetta from an individual in the Met Office against Wales.
Others joked it was Storm Dennis with a vendetta rather than a disgruntled meteorologist.
Another person believes the shape indicates Wales' own opinion about the storm, which has begun battering the UK.
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