Storm Aileen (no relation!) blasts Britain

A STORM called Aileen will blast Britain with 65mph winds today, forecasters predict.

It will tear across much of the country, with one council even advising people not to venture out unless absolutely necessary.

The Met Office said: ‘Longer journey times by road, rail and air are looking likely, with restrictions on roads and bridges.

‘Damage to trees and perhaps buildings, as well as power cuts are expected. Flying debris and large coastal waves are possible, and these could lead to injuries.’

The Environment Agency issued 11 separate flood alerts with rivers expected to burst their banks following heavy rainfall. Forecasters said that Aileen had no connection to Hurricane Irma, which has devastated the Caribbean.

Aileen has been caused by low pressure bringing very strong winds across much of England and Wales last night.

The Met Office warned of gusts of 55-65mph in parts of Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. The Environment Agency issued flood warnings for Keswick, Lancashire and Porlock Weir in Somerset, and 11 flood alerts covering rivers in Cumbria, the North Sea coast at Bridlington as well as in Somerset.

A yellow weather warning for rain was also put in place for parts of Northern Ireland, northern England and southern Scotland. From 1.2 to 1.6 inches of rain is expected.

The storm system will move swiftly from west to east with winds easing by this afternoon. Tameside Council near Manchester urged people to ‘avoid going out unless important’.