Two die as storm misery continues
TWO people have died and tens of thousands of homes were left without power as severe weather continued to batter Britain.
Southern England again saw the worst of the weather with torrential rain and 80mph winds which have caused chaos throughout the weekend.
The north of England and Scotland has escaped the most extreme weather, but Met Office forecasters issued a yellow warning for ice yesterday, which will remain in place throughout today.
Forecasters also warned there is a risk of localised snow on land at 250-300 metres altitude today, while the temperature in Edinburgh is set to hit highs of 6C.
But most warnings will be lifted tomorrow with just a yellow warning for heavy rain in the SouthWest remaining.
Meanwhile firefighters from Cumbria and Tyne and Wear fire and rescue services are among a stream of back-up crews which have travelled to the south with high volume pumps.
Some 22 severe flood warnings — meaning there is a danger to life — remained in place yesterday, from Cornwall to Hampshire, Gloucester and the Thames Valley.
Nearly 190 less serious flood warnings and 320 flood alerts were also in place.
Communities across the country have been using sandbags and makeshift barriers to protect their homes and businesses from the flood water.
An 85-year-old passenger on the Marco Polo cruise ship died after 80mph winds whipped up freak waves in the English Channel which smashed through a window.
In central London, Julie Sillitoe, a 49-year-old cab driver, died and three other people were injured when the fascia of a building collapsed on to a car opposite Holborn Underground station.
A man and a woman were freed from the car but the driver died at the scene, London Ambulance Service said.
A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with leg injuries, where he is in a stable condition.
More than 30 people had to be rescued from a seafront restaurant in Milford on Sea, Hampshire, after wind-blown shingle shattered windows and the sea flooded it.
Lymington Coastguard, fire services and the army carried out the rescue using an army vehicle to remove the diners. Everyone escaped without serious injury.
Yesterday morning people living in 17 homes on a cul-desac in Hemel Hemstead were evacuated when a giants in khole opened up on the street.
Police cordoned off the hole which measures approximately 35ft wide and 20ft deep and examinations of it were on going.
There has also been major disruption across Britain’s road and rail networks, with hundreds of trees uprooted across roads and rail tracks. Many train services have been cancelled.
The West Coast Main Line between London and Scotland was hit by major delays yesterday due to fallen trees and damage.
The Energy Networks Association (ENA), which represents energy companies across the UK, said more than 140,000 homes were without power after further storms on Friday night.