Two feared dead after 106mph Storm Katie
TWO people were f eared dead yesterday as Storm Katie battered parts of Britain over Easter.
Winds of up to 106mph across southern England caused chaos for families returning home after the bank holiday weekend as roads and rail lines were closed and flights cancelled or diverted.
One man was feared dead after his kayak overturned in a fastflowing Surrey river, and a motorist was killed when a car plunged into a river near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Southern counties were worst hit by Storm Katie, with thousands of households damaged, including roofs ripped off, fences toppled by high winds and cars crushed by uprooted trees. Around 130 flights were diverted or cancelled and rail and road networks were severely disrupted.
The storm hit late on Sunday and reached its peak yesterday, when wind speeds of 106mph were recorded over the Needles on the Isle of Wight.
Emergency services described conditions as ‘horrendous’ and advised people to avoid travelling if possible.
Police launched a search for a man after a kayak capsized on the River Wey in Guildford, Surrey, which was said to be at risk of flooding following 24 hours of heavy rainfall.
Witnesses said the man was in a kayak with his son, aged 12 or 13, when it overturned near a weir.
The boy was able to reach safety but his father was last night still missing and feared drowned.
Scotland escaped the 11th named storm of the winter, with sunshine and showers yesterday.
Met Office forecaster Stuart Brookes said: ‘Easter Monday was a nice day in Scotland with sunshine, a few showers, and also a lot of places staying dry.
‘These conditions will remain until Friday when it will be a wilder day with wind and heavy rain.’