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Saturday, 27 April 2024
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United Kingdom : Thousands of homes without power
Storm Ciara hit Lyme Regis, Dorset, on Sunday ,GETTY IMAGES

Some areas experienced a month-and-a-half's worth of rainfall on Sunday and gusts of 97mph.


On Monday, UK Power Networks said more than 18,500 properties across east and south-east England had no power.


Western Power Distribution, which serves the Midlands and the South West, said more than 2,800 homes were affected.


Flights, ferries and trains all saw cancellations and delays on Sunday, while drivers faced treacherous conditions with floodwater, fallen trees and other debris closing roads.


Across the whole of the UK about 539,000 households experienced a power cut at some point on Sunday , according to Energy Networks.


Most have been reconnected but in the East 14,100 properties remain without power, mostly in Norfolk and Suffolk.


About 1,000 homes in Hertfordshire are also affected.


In the South East, 4,480 homes are without power, with half of those in East Sussex.


Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said 1,800 customers in Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset were still without power but it was expected to be restored by 13:00 GMT.


The Yorkshire Dales and the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire were badly hit by flooding over the weekend.


There are numerous reports of rail disruption, and at Gatwick at least 190 flights were cancelled on Sunday.


British Airways said in a statement there would be a "minor knock-on effect" to Monday's schedule at Heathrow and Gatwick, adding anyone flying short-haul to either airport could choose to travel another time.


Southern services between Ashford International and Ore are running at a reduced speed due to a tree blocking the line and trains are also at a standstill between Horsham and Dorking due to fallen tree on the line at Holmwood.


In Bedfordshire, part of Luton station's roof blew off on Sunday and although the station has reopened, the car park remains shut.


The gable end of a house in Leicester collapsed on to the road early on Monday, crushing a car underneath.


The owner of a house on Hamilton Circle, on the corner of Pickhill Road, said the family was woken just after 04:30 GMT and thought the crashing sound was an "earthquake".


"Our neighbours woke up and told us our whole roof had fallen down," he said.


Concerns have been raised about the safety of the fire-damaged Claremont Hotel in Eastbourne as extreme winds may cause parts of the building to collapse.


In the east, part of the M11 remains closed as the roof of a Duxford aircraft hangar is at risk of blowing on to the road.


The motorway is shut in both directions between junction nine for the A11 and junction 11 for the A10 and Cambridge while emergency services work to secure a section of the roof at the Imperial War Museum.


The A505 is also closed from Whittlesford to Fowlmere.


Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire said it would stay shut on Monday for a second day.


"Our staff have been working tirelessly to make sure our animals are safe and warm, and we're very grateful to them for all their hard work," a statement said.


Further strong winds, heavy showers, snow and ice were expected on Monday.


A yellow warning for snow and ice is in force for North West England throughout Monday and Tuesday and a yellow warning for wind in the south is in place between 10:00 and 17:00 GMT on Monday.


source : BBC NEWS