ARMAGEDDEN
Two dead as Storm Dennis wreaks havoc
BRITAIN is picking up the pieces after the worst storm in two centuries battered the nation – claiming two lives.
Gale-force winds gusting up to 75mph and a month’s torrential rain hammered the nation as Storm Dennis hit yesterday – with warnings of widespread floods today.
Yesterday a sailor and a teenage boy died in separate incidents at sea after getting into trouble in the water off Herne Bay, Kent.
It is thought the man fell overboard just hours after a teenager died after being washed up along the shore. Brits were urged to stay indoors as weather experts warned there was more to come today, particularly in the North and south west of England and Wales.
Storm Dennis is the most powerful North Atlantic storm for two centuries and is significantly stronger than last weekend’s Storm Ciara – dubbed the “storm of the century”.
Snow showers follow from tomorrow in the North and West, with another burst of stormy conditions set to arrive from Thursday.
The Weather Company’s Greg Postel said: “It’s the strongest storm on the planet.
“Dennis could rival the most intense North Atlantic storms on record.”
Met Office forecasters said Dennis was nudging the record for the most intense North Atlantic storm since records began 200 years ago.
Travel experts warned of misery as passengers faced planes and trains being cancelled.
EasyJet has cancelled about 350 flights over the weekend and many British Airways flights were grounded, affecting thousands of passengers.
Up to 35,000 breakdowns are predicted on the roads.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “There’s no let-up. Expect delays. Watch out for fallen trees and remember the dangers of floodwater and aquaplaning.”
The Environment Agency has warned flooding is likely to be worse this weekend as already saturated ground is met with a “perfect storm” of heavy rain, strong winds and melting snow.