Britain hit by rage of Imogen
Storm force: Huge waves hit the Cornish coast yesterday as the country was battered by Storm Imogen.
home in Exeter, Devon – minutes before they planned to leave for school. A train full of frightened schoolchildren was forced to turn back after being hit by waves on the Welsh coast. Water was seen inside the train as rough seas hit the Cambrian Line between Barmouth and Harlech. As Storm Imogen swept across the country, the Met Office recorded a wave more than 62ft high in St Ives, Cornwall, and a ferocious wind gust of 96mph was clocked off the Isle of Wight. The gales were so strong that a wind turbine caught fire in Carmarthenshire, South Wales, while Bridgend town centre was closed as tiles were blown from roofs. The storm also left its mark on Croyde in Devon, as high tides caused foam 5ft deep to coat the beach – as well as being blown further inland. Rosie Kelsey, of Croyde Bay Holidays, said: ‘It was an incredible sight, I had never seen anything like it.’ Drivers who parked their cars on Fistral Beach in Newquay were also stunned to see the storm bury their cars in the sand. In total, some 15,000 homes were left without power. According to Western Power Distribution, the vast majority were across the South West and South Wales. Schools were also forced to close And around 225 Environment Agency flood warnings remained in place across Britain last night amid the relentless downpours. Parts of the South West were expected to see around 40mm of rain yesterday. Storm Imogen also caused major travel disruption. The Severn Bridge was shut in both directions because of strong winds, while there were major traffic jams after the Dartford Crossing, to the east of London, was closed in the southbound direction. The M4 near Port Talbot was also shut after a lorry overturned, causing massive tailbacks, and Highways England issued a severe weather alert for ‘high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes’. They said that the powerful gusts posed a risk to the vehicles. The bad weather and stormy seas also disrupted ferry services, with the Port of Dover temporarily closed overnight on Sunday. Imogen was the ninth named storm to hit the UK this winter. The next, when it comes, will be called Jake.