Ironbridge holds its breath... AGAIN: Shropshire town is evacuated for second time in two years as River Severn threatens to breach flood barriers after Storm Franklin wreaks havoc across UK with 87mph gales and torrential rain
Residents of Ironbridge were evacuated today amid fears that the River Severn will breach flood barriers in the Shropshire town as Britain suffered its third storm in less than a week and 33,000 homes remained without power.
More than 450 flood alerts or warnings were in place across the UK after Storm Franklin swept in overnight with rail commuters told to avoid travelling due to flooded tracks, landslides and fallen trees amid 87mph winds.nvironment Agency staff and emergency crews were today going door-to-door in Ironbridge telling residents in the Wharfage area, which sits behind temporary flood defences installed over the weekend, to leave immediately.
Locals in the historic town, which is a World Heritage Site, were also told to move possessions and valuables off the ground or to safety; turn off gas, electricity and water; and take an emergency bag containing medicine and insurance documents. Telford and Wrekin Council revealed that a 'major incident' had been declared, while West Mercia Police chief inspector Mark Reilly said: 'If you have been advised to evacuate, I would urge you to do so.'
Ironbridge was also evacuated only two years ago in February 2020 when the force of the Severn pushed similar flood barriers back, which gouged the road. The river also threatened to overwhelm defences in January last year.
The Environment Agency said today that there was a 'risk that the barriers will overtop posing a significant risk to life' with River Severn levels set to stay high and peak at 7m (23ft) in the nearby village of Buildwas – which would be above the 6.71m (22ft) level during the January 2021 floods, and around the record of 7.04m (23ft) set in 2000.
Jim Kitchen, the Environment Agency area duty manager for Shropshire, said this afternoon: 'We are facing a significant flood risk in Ironbridge and urging people to remain vigilant and take extreme care. Heavy rain, affecting already wet areas, is likely to cause significant river flooding along the River Severn for several days.'
Lucy Allan, Conservative MP for Telford, whose constituency includes Ironbridge, said: 'This is a hugely difficult time for Ironbridge residents and traders who have faced three major storms in a week. The flood defences seem likely to come under serious pressure this year with risk of overtopping as the river reaches its peak tomorrow.
'As a precautionary measure some residents have been helped to evacuate for their safety. Whilst flooding is almost an annual event in Ironbridge, this series of storms has made this year worse than in recent years in terms of risk to life as the volume of the River Severn is at historic levels.'
Meanwhile train operators again warned customers to 'avoid travel' or 'do not travel' with services paralysed by winds and lashing rain following days of disruption due to Storms Dudley last Wednesday and Eunice last Friday.
Manchester Airport suffered major disruption today, with arriving flights diverted to London Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham, East Midlands, Newcastle and Dublin airports because they were unable to land in the North West.
Derbyshire was among the worst-hit areas by flooding, with Matlock Town Council describing 'devastating' levels of water deluging the town and Babington Hospital in Belper forced to shut with all appointments cancelled.
The threat from Franklin comes after huge waves were seen crashing onto coastal areas, homes were destroyed by strong winds, and emergency services deployed flood defences along swelling riverbanks over the weekend.
National Rail has warned anyone making essential journeys once services resume today to expect 'major disruption' to routes 'across most of Great Britain' - including cancellations, delays and slower speeds onboard.
The Met Office said that the South of England was particularly hard hit by stormy weather during rush hour this morning, while train operator Northern issued a 'do not travel' alert to passengers due to the impact of storms.
National Rail said the first services on most UK train routes were cancelled, with a reduced timetable for today, alternative travel unavailable and further disruption expected. One of the worst affected stations was Rotherham which police said 'resembles the canals of Venice' as South Yorkshire was particularly badly affected by flooding.
Transport for London said the London Overground was suspended between Stratford and Richmond, Stratford and Clapham Junction, Romford and Upminster, and Sydenham and West Croydon due to storm-related damage.
On the roads, the M48 Severn Bridge connecting England and Wales, and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing between Kent and Essex were both closed - the latter causing seven-mile tailbacks on the M25.
Some 4,500 homes remained without power in West Sussex today, with local Conservative MP Mims Davies saying many had now been cut off for three days and - combined with problems on the trains - it 'doesn't make for much of a happy half term for many'. She added that it was 'absolutely grim' for those without electricity or heating.
High winds from Storm Franklin are complicating the recovery efforts of engineers - while some homes in Surrey were without water supply today, with Thames Water listing the affected postcodes as GU5, GU6, RH5 and RH12.
Storm Franklin's highest gust of 87mph was at the Needles on the Isle of Wight overnight, while the highest gust today was 79mph in North Wales. The highest during Eunice on Friday was 122mph - a record high for England.
London Zoo, which was among the dozens of major attractions which closed last Friday, reopened over the weekend but said 'some of our animals will remain inside' today amid the continuing strong winds in the capital. But elsewhere in the capital, the Covid-19 mobile testing unit at Hyde Park was closed due to high winds.
The Met Office said conditions would still be unsettled over the next few days after the weather warning expired at 1pm today, and forecasters were examining possible wind and wintry hazards this Wednesday and Thursday.
Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said today: 'A strong jet stream is driving weather systems across the North Atlantic with a succession of weather fronts moving into the UK bringing more wet and windy weather at times this week. As Storm Franklin clears the UK and pushes into the near continent this afternoon the windy conditions will gradually ease and showers become fewer, leaving some dry, sunny weather for many.'
The Environment Agency said that flood defences on the River Severn could be breached at Ironbridge in Shropshire today
Houses are flooded amid very high water levels on the River Severn in Ironbridge, Shropshire, pictured this afternoon
A man carries sandbags for flood defences amid high water levels on the River Severn at Ironbridge in Shropshire today
The flood defences at Ironbridge are pictured today (left) and during high river levels one year ago in January 2021 (right)
An Environment Agency worker looks at the flood defences amid concerns they could be overtopped in Ironbridge today
Houses in Ironbridge surrounded by floodwaters today as river levels start to rise following storms in recent days
Flood barriers are being prepared further along the road next to the River Severn in Ironbridge this afternoon
Residents of Ironbridge were today told by the Environment Agency to evacuate their homes amid the major flooding risk
Flood defences are prepared along the River Severn in Ironbridge this afternoon as the Shropshire town holds its breath
An Environment Agency worker prepares the flood defences due to high water levels on the River Severn in Ironbridge today
A man walks through water as the River Severn threatens to overtop flood defences at Ironbridge in Shropshire today
A dog sits on a wall outside a house amid high water levels on the River Severn in Ironbridge, Shropshire, this afternoon
Environment Agency workers prepare defences along the River Severn today with the Iron Bridge itself in the background
Houses in Ironbridge surrounded by floodwaters today as river levels started to rise following storms in recent days
A worker carries sandbags while preparing flood defences along the River Severn due to high water levels in Ironbridge today
The Environment Agency has issued a severe flood warning for Ironbridge (left) amid rising levels of the River Severn (right)
The flooded high street in Matlock, Derbyshire, today after high winds and wet weather moved in across Britain once again
Cars stuck in floodwater as Belper in Derbyshire is swamped this morning amid the arrival of Storm Franklin overnight
A house cut off from the outside world near Castleford in West Yorkshire this morning as flood water wreaks havoc
Homes in Matlock Bath are deluged today with towns along the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire badly affected by flooding
Waves crash against a lighthouse during Storm Franklin this morning at Porthcawl in Bridgend, South Wales
A person is seen stood in a shop doorway on a flooded Bakewell Road in Matlock, Derbyshire, this afternoon
A flooded road near Leeds in West Yorkshire this morning in the wake of Storm Franklin which hit overnight
The Hurt Arms pub is surrounded by flood water in Belper, Derbyshire, today after Storm Franklin moved into Britain
Debris lays across Ford Lane in Northenden, Greater Manchester, this morning amid high water levels of the River Mersey
Severe flooding in Belper in Derbyshire this morning after Storm Franklin swept in amid a severe weather warning for wind
A tree which has fallen into a thatched cottage in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, today after very strong winds
The railway line near Rotherham train station in South Yorkshire has been swamped by floodwater - with these two pictures posted by Network Rail on Twitter taken just four hours apart at 1pm yesterday (left) and 5pm yesterday (right)
Streets in the town of Matlock, Derbyshire, have been flooded after the River Derwent burst its banks. Posting footage on Twitter, Phil Gregory described the town centre as 'a river'.
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'It's probably only a foot or two deep in truth, but enough to wreck businesses... it's just really terrible and the rain is continuing,' the 48-year-old said in the video.
Met Office wind warning is in place until 1pm this afternoon
Mr Gregory, who is from the nearby village of Darley Dale and runs the local marketing agency Peak District SEO, criticised the Government for not acting after severe floods hit the town in November 2019.
'My heart goes out to the business owners who are still recovering from lockdown measures and the previous flooding a couple of years ago,' he said. 'My message to the Government is: take action now, stop building on flood plains and help small businesses and homeowners in the long term with proper flood defences.'
David Hughes, district councillor for Matlock St Giles and town councillor for Matlock Green, said while the River Derwent burst its banks he believed the flooding was largely caused by runoff from nearby fields.
'It's past the worst, the river level is going down,' the 69-year-old said. 'In Matlock itself, the flooding wasn't caused to a great extent by the river, it was caused by surface water runoff from the hills.'
Asked whether the town was prepared for the flooding, Mr Hughes said: 'I think in terms of emergency planning, yes, the emergency plan was put in place, and it worked.
'Saturday morning, we could see that there was potential for flooding, so we went around to every business on the low-lying roads in the centre of Matlock. We thought that they would be able to respond... one or two businesses didn't respond, unfortunately.'
The Environment Agency has issued 185 warnings (in red) where 'flooding is likely', two severe flood warnings in Manchester, and 172 alerts (in amber) where 'flooding is possible' for the north-western half of the UK, London and the south coast
Some 18 warnings and seven alerts have been issued across the Scottish Borders, Ayrshire, Orkney and the Western Isles by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (left). Natural Resources Wales has issued 27 warnings and 48 alerts (right)
Flooding in a park at Didsbury in Greater Manchester this morning as more than 450 flood alerts or warnings remain in place
Towns along the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire lie underwater today as overnight rain from Storm Franklin deluged the area
Huge waves hit Newhaven harbour in East Sussex this afternoon as Storm Franklin causes havoc across the UK
An easyJet aircraft arriving from Belfast lands in strong winds at Leeds Bradford Airport in West Yorkshire this morning
A cordon is in place today after Storm Franklin ripped off the front of a house in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester
A car stranded in flood waters as the River Dee bursts its banks near Bangor-on-Dee in North Wales today
Fire crews respond after a tree fell into a thatched cottage in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, today during heavy winds
Damage to the white roof covering at The O2 in London is seen today, three days after the damage caused by Storm Eunice
A landslide blocking the line between Upper Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy in Scotland today following the severe weather
A car damaged by a fallen tree after high winds and wet weather in Liverpool this morning after Storm Franklin arrived
A classic car collector's barn where he keeps his prized motors was destroyed in damage caused by Storm Eunice on Friday
Huge waves whipped up by Storm Franklin pound against the seafront at high tide at Cromer in Norfolk today
A tree which has fallen into a thatched cottage in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, today after strong winds struck the UK
Flooded fields at Ross Sports Club in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire this afternoon after high winds and wet weather
Cars in a flooded car park in York this afternoon after the River Ouse in the city centre burst its banks amid Storm Franklin
Waves crash over the sea wall at Portstewart in Northern Ireland this afternoon as Storm Franklin arrives in Britain
A man alongside a stranded car in flood water as a dog plays along the A6 near Milford in Derbyshire this afternoon
Flooded fields at Ross Sports Club in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire this afternoon after high winds and wet weather
Huge waves whipped up by Storm Franklin pound against the seafront at high tide at Cromer in Norfolk today
Waves crash over the sea wall at Portstewart in Northern Ireland this afternoon as Storm Franklin arrives in Britain
Worcester Racecourse is flooded today following the three storms in less than a week that have hit Britain
Flooded fields at Ross Sports Club in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire this afternoon after high winds and wet weather
Matlock Town Council said in a statement posted to Facebook: 'Between the water level, ferociously high winds, continued rain and road closures we urge people not to travel unless absolutely necessary, in particular, do not visit Matlock at the present time.'
Three people and a dog escape uninjured after lorry blows onto their car
Three people and a dog escaped unscathed from a crushed car after a huge lorry blew over on top of it.
The car had been travelling on the A6 north of Buxton, Derbyshire, on Friday afternoon when the John Hargreaves lorry blew over during Storm Eunice.
Fire crews fitted poles under the lorry after the crash north of Buxton in Derbyshire on Friday to stop it moving any further
Fire crews rescued three people and a dog from the vehicle
Firefighters rescued the driver and two passengers from the car after the roof was destroyed - and a brown cockapoo being transported in a large metal cage in the boot was also unhurt. Fire crews fitted poles under the lorry to ensure it did not crush the car any further.
Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit posted photos of the incident on Facebook, writing: 'The occupants of this car (including their dog!) amazingly escaped with only very minor injuries after a lorry landed on top of them.'
The force praised East Midlands Ambulance Service and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service for 'fantastic' work.
The brown cockapoo being transported in a large metal cage in the boot was also unhurt in the incident in Derbyshire
Energy minister Greg Hands said 32,000 households across the UK have yet to have their power restored. He said: 'Overall, across the UK 1.3 million homes have had their power restored.
'There are still around 32,000 homes as of this morning that have yet to have their power restored, about 12,000 in the UK Power Network Area, which covers the South East of England and East Anglia.'
Mr Hands was visiting a home in Ightham, Kent, where workers in high-visibility vests were working amid toppled trees and a downed energy line to restore power.
Asked why it was taking days to bring back power, he said: 'Partly because there's been follow-up storms - we've had Storm Franklin, which has inhibited some of the relief effort and some of the efforts to get people their power back.
'But at times, it's sometimes filling in those last small areas. So just behind me here seven trees have come down, which has cut power to seven households.
'So sometimes it really is, if you like, filling in the last, smaller areas that are without power that are sometimes the most difficult.'
He also said lessons would be learned for the energy network.
'What we do after each storm is we have a lessons learned process, both the Department for Business and Ofgem, the regulator.
'Quite often very significant lessons do get learned: the 105 emergency number for power outages was a lesson learned from a previous storm.'
Mr Hands also expressed sympathy for affected families, saying power outages were a 'horrible thing' to happen.
'I admire the resilience that people have shown, I admire the incredible efforts being put in by engineers and other support workers, both here locally and across the UK.
'A lot of help comes in across the UK when these events happen, a lot of mutual aid from other network operators comes in.
'It's not a happy thing to happen to be without power for some time, but let's try and get the power back up here as quickly as we can.'
David Thomas, 56, who lives at the home visited by Mr Hands, said he, his wife and children heard an 'enormous crash' on Friday morning when the first two trees were blown over.
The trees pulled down a power line, causing an electrical fire that fire crews spent 11 hours putting out.
The retired banker said it had been 'frustrating' to be without power since then, but that the family had stayed warm with a wood burner and a rented generator.
There is severe disruption on many Northern rail routes today, including between Sheffield and Manchester, Scarborough and Hull, York and Sheffield, Bradford and Leeds, Chester and Manchester, and Carlisle and Newcastle.
Northern posted a photograph on social media showing the rail line through Rotherham station flooded to the extent that the tracks are not visible.
And British Transport Police South Yorkshire tweeted: 'Rotherham station resembles the canals of Venice! Wind and rain is having an impact on the network this morning with delays and cancellations in place.'
Northern had suspended all services in north-west England until at least 10.30am today 'due to the severe weather and numerous incidents caused by Storm Franklin'.
It told passengers: 'Do not attempt to travel, do not head to stations as there are no alternatives.'
TransPennine Express (TPE) is also strongly urging customers to 'avoid travel if possible', particularly those planning to travel north of Preston in Lancashire before 10am this morning.
Men walk by a stranded car in floodwater in Belper, Derbyshire, today as Britons have been warned to brace for high winds
Debris continues to gather on the swollen River Derwent in Matlock, Derbyshire, this afternoon amid Storm Franklin
Flooding at Rotherham station in South Yorkshire today which British Transport Police said 'resembles the canals of Venice'
A man alongside a stranded car in flood water as a dog plays along the A6 near Milford in Derbyshire this afternoon
Ambergate Cricket Club is flooded in Belper, Derbyshire, today as Britons have been warned to brace for strengthening winds
Fallen trees block a bus and other vehicles from passing this morning in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, as the storm hits
A landslip behind a house in Keighley, West Yorkshire, has taken away the garden and part of the property into a river below
The bandstand at Hall Leys Park in Matlock, Derbyshire, this morning as flooding has a major impact on the county
A flooded road near Leeds in West Yorkshire this morning in the wake of Storm Franklin which hit overnight
Sea foam at Portstewart in Northern Ireland this afternoon as Storm Franklin arrives in Britain
Towns along the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire have been badly hit by flooding with Matlock suffering this morning
Dogs make the most of the windy weather on Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside this morning
Huge waves hit Newhaven harbour in East Sussex this afternoon as Storm Franklin causes havoc across the UK
Matlock in Derbyshire has suffered major flooding this morning following the arrival of Storm Franklin
A tree which has fallen across a road and into the grounds of the Moston Children's Centre in Greater Manchester today
Huge waves whipped up by Storm Franklin pound against the seafront at high tide at Cromer in Norfolk today
A dog is seen stood in a shop doorway on a flooded Bakewell Road in Matlock, Derbyshire, this afternoon
Emergency services help after Storm Franklin caused the River Aire to burst its banks in West Yorkshire over the weekend
A man walks by the River Derwent after it burst its banks in Matlock, Derbyshire, today after as Storm Franklin causes chaos
People walk along the beach at Southbourne in Bournemouth, Dorset, this afternoon as as Storm Franklin hits the south coast
People walk along the beach at Southbourne in Bournemouth, Dorset, this afternoon as as Storm Franklin hits the south coast
Huge waves whipped up by Storm Franklin pound against the seafront at high tide at Cromer in Norfolk today
A man walks by the River Derwent after it burst its banks in Matlock, Derbyshire, today after as Storm Franklin causes chaos
Speaking last night, TPE operations director Paul Watson said: 'Due to the impact of Storm Franklin, train services are disrupted along the West Coast Mainline.
'The safety of our customers and staff is our priority and we are warning customers not to travel between Preston and Edinburgh/Glasgow until after 10am tomorrow [Monday].
'Anyone planning on travelling by train today or before 10am tomorrow [Monday] can choose to defer their travel or claim a refund.'
The operator said any services which are running are expected to be 'very busy'.
Great Western Railway (GWR) reiterated the same plea for customers to travel only 'if absolutely necessary' as services are expected to be 'significantly disrupted across the network' on Monday.
South Western Railway also urged customers not to travel, warning the weather conditions were 'likely to hamper efforts to help stranded customers'.
SWR also said Network Rail had cleared more than 50 trees from its network since Friday, but more heavy rain and strong winds on Sunday night caused 'even more trees to block the lines and further damage to stations and infrastructure'.
It added: 'With the wind direction expected to change it is very likely that more trees will come down during Storm Franklin, having been weakened over the last two days.'
Train operator Avanti West Coast is 'strongly advising' passengers travelling today to 'delay their journeys until after 10am if they can' due to severe weather.
It added: 'Services on our network are subject to speed restrictions, delays and cancellations due to the extreme weather and as a result are very busy.'
National Rail said: 'Please check before you travel if you plan to use train services today or on Monday. The poor weather conditions may cause flooding, and any trees already weakened by Storm Eunice may fall down.
'Where conditions worsen, speed restrictions could be put in place to ensure you can travel safely.'
In the North West, stretches of two motorways were closed after incidents during the storm.
National Highways said the M60 in Greater Manchester was closed between junctions 10 and 11 due to an overturned HGV which had come to rest on the central reservation.
North West Motorways Police said no injuries were reported.
The M6 was closed in Lancashire between junction 27 and 28 after an HGV hit a bridge and caught fire due to the high winds, according to the local police force.
A post on the Lancs Road Police Twitter account said: 'High winds caused this HGV to hit a bridge and burst into flames on M6.
Storm Franklin batters the harbour with strong winds early this morning at Ardossan Harbour in North Ayrshire
A man wades through floodwater in Belper, Derbyshire, today as Britons have been warned to brace for strengthening winds
A fallen tree at Holmwood in Surrey today on the Dorking to Horsham line which has blocked passage for all trains
Homes in Matlock Bath are deluged today with towns along the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire badly affected by flooding
Huge waves whipped up by Storm Franklin pound against the seafront at high tide at Cromer in Norfolk today
A dog is seen stood in a shop doorway on a flooded Bakewell Road in Matlock, Derbyshire, this afternoon
Emergency services help after Storm Franklin caused the River Aire to burst its banks in West Yorkshire over the weekend
A man walks by the River Derwent after it burst its banks in Matlock, Derbyshire, today after as Storm Franklin causes chaos
People walk along the beach at Southbourne in Bournemouth, Dorset, this afternoon as as Storm Franklin hits the south coast
People walk along the beach at Southbourne in Bournemouth, Dorset, this afternoon as as Storm Franklin hits the south coast
Huge waves whipped up by Storm Franklin pound against the seafront at high tide at Cromer in Norfolk today
A man walks by the River Derwent after it burst its banks in Matlock, Derbyshire, today after as Storm Franklin causes chaos
Speaking last night, TPE operations director Paul Watson said: 'Due to the impact of Storm Franklin, train services are disrupted along the West Coast Mainline.
'The safety of our customers and staff is our priority and we are warning customers not to travel between Preston and Edinburgh/Glasgow until after 10am tomorrow [Monday].
'Anyone planning on travelling by train today or before 10am tomorrow [Monday] can choose to defer their travel or claim a refund.'
The operator said any services which are running are expected to be 'very busy'.
Great Western Railway (GWR) reiterated the same plea for customers to travel only 'if absolutely necessary' as services are expected to be 'significantly disrupted across the network' on Monday.
South Western Railway also urged customers not to travel, warning the weather conditions were 'likely to hamper efforts to help stranded customers'.
SWR also said Network Rail had cleared more than 50 trees from its network since Friday, but more heavy rain and strong winds on Sunday night caused 'even more trees to block the lines and further damage to stations and infrastructure'.
It added: 'With the wind direction expected to change it is very likely that more trees will come down during Storm Franklin, having been weakened over the last two days.'
Train operator Avanti West Coast is 'strongly advising' passengers travelling today to 'delay their journeys until after 10am if they can' due to severe weather.
It added: 'Services on our network are subject to speed restrictions, delays and cancellations due to the extreme weather and as a result are very busy.'
National Rail said: 'Please check before you travel if you plan to use train services today or on Monday. The poor weather conditions may cause flooding, and any trees already weakened by Storm Eunice may fall down.
'Where conditions worsen, speed restrictions could be put in place to ensure you can travel safely.'
In the North West, stretches of two motorways were closed after incidents during the storm.
National Highways said the M60 in Greater Manchester was closed between junctions 10 and 11 due to an overturned HGV which had come to rest on the central reservation.
North West Motorways Police said no injuries were reported.
The M6 was closed in Lancashire between junction 27 and 28 after an HGV hit a bridge and caught fire due to the high winds, according to the local police force.
A post on the Lancs Road Police Twitter account said: 'High winds caused this HGV to hit a bridge and burst into flames on M6.
Storm Franklin batters the harbour with strong winds early this morning at Ardossan Harbour in North Ayrshire
A man wades through floodwater in Belper, Derbyshire, today as Britons have been warned to brace for strengthening winds
A fallen tree at Holmwood in Surrey today on the Dorking to Horsham line which has blocked passage for all trains
Homes in Matlock Bath are deluged today with towns along the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire badly affected by flooding
People walk along the beach at Southbourne in Bournemouth, Dorset, this afternoon as as Storm Franklin hits the south coast
Huge waves hitting the sea wall at Porthcawl in Bridgend, South Wales, this morning after Storm Franklin moved in overnight
Debris left after floodwater receded from the River Mersey near Didsbury Golf Club in Greater Manchester today
Flooding this morning on the roads in Stockport, Greater Manchester, as one car is left abandoned amid the severe weather
Flooded fields in Llantrisant, near Usk in Monmouthshire, during high winds and wet weather this afternoon
Tree surgeons clear away a fallen tree after high winds and wet weather in Liverpool this morning
Worcester County Cricket ground is flooded today following the three storms in less than a week that have hit Britain
Dogs make the most of the windy weather on Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside this morning
A flooded road in Matlock, Derbyshire after high winds and wet weather moved in across Britain once again
Debris lays across Ford Lane in Northenden, Greater Manchester, this morning amid high water levels of the River Mersey
A wall of bricks fell on a car in Bolton, Greater Manchester, which is pictured last night, after being blown over in the storm
Worcester County Cricket ground is flooded today following the impact of Storm Franklin which caused chaos in Britain
A woman carries her baby during strong winds this morning on Wimbledon Common in South West London
National Highways issued this list of travel alerts today. Several major bridges were closed, including the M48 Severn Bridge connecting England and Wales, and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing between Kent and Essex
National Rail gave the following service updates this morning for the various problems on the UK train network
'Driver luckily escaped from cab with help from other motorists and is being assessed at hospital. Long delays both N+S between J27/28.'
What goes up... clone of Newton's apple tree falls during Storm Eunice
A clone of Newton's apple tree, which was planted at Cambridge University's Botanic Garden in 1954, has fallen during Storm Eunice.
It was a scion of the original apple tree which was said to have inspired Sir Isaac Newton to formulate his theory of gravity by watching an apple fall from it.
The original tree, grown in the garden of Newton's childhood home of Woolsthorpe Manor near Grantham in Lincolnshire, 'was apparently felled in a gale (much like ours) in the early half of the 19th century', wrote Dr Samuel Brockington, curator of Cambridge University's Botanic Gardens. The Cambridge tree fell on Friday.
The clone of Newton's apple tree was planted at Cambridge University Botanic Garden in 1954, but fell during Storm Eunice
Dr Brockington said that the Botanic Gardens has three clones of the original tree, having 'presciently engaged in some grafting over the past three years'. Grafting involves the binding of shoots onto another sapling.
'Through the remarkable science of grafting, our scion of 'Newton's Apple Tree' will hopefully continue on our collections,' Dr Brockington wrote on Twitter.
Cambridge University Botanic Gardens said they had 'recently become aware' that the tree, which had stood by the Brookside entrance for 68 years, 'had died and the strong winds proved too much'. They said: 'We have a clone that will be planted elsewhere in the Garden soon, so Newton's Apple will remain in the Garden, but sadly not in its accustomed place.'
And a spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: 'By 7am, the fire had been extinguished using four breathing apparatus and three hose reels and the M6 southbound had reopened.
'The driver of the vehicle was treated by paramedics from North West Ambulance Service and all agencies are working in difficult conditions to reopen the northbound side of the M6.'
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue reported saving a number of people from stranded cars on the A61 at Harewood Bridge, with more reports of roads left impassable due to flash flooding across the region.
Mid Sussex Conservative MP Mims Davies said it was 'absolutely grim' for the 4,500 people still without power in West Sussex this morning.
In a series of tweets, she wrote: 'Good morning @UKPowerNetworks please do all you can to get my #MidSussex constituents back onto power today-many have now moved into a 3rd day without power & heat -its absolutely grim for them & my casework team are doing all they can to advise & help people who are upset & cold.
'I do recognise you're all doing the upmost-but there are lights & cones up in central #HaywardsHeath & no sign of anyone there near the outage all weekend-reports of #Staplefield & other #MidSussex parts out still too-I appreciate you're stretched & been non stop in these storms.'
She then added: 'It's a 3rd day for many people & I know @UKPowerNetworks are doing their utmost-people are cold & fed up-this with the trains issue doesn't make for much of a happy half term for many.
'Thanks to all for their hard work on the ground doing all they can to fix it-greatly appreciated.'
Paul Sims, a resident of Great Bewyn in Wiltshire, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he lost power last Friday around lunchtime and it's 'probably going to be Wednesday earliest' until he is reconnected.
He added: 'Our neighbours very kindly walked up the hill and told me where it was. We had a look round. One of the telegraph poles has snapped clean in half.
'A fir tree has come down on top of it and taken all the high voltage power with it. So the electricity people have got to get to it, which, because it's rural, it's quite difficult to access. And I don't think at the moment it's going to be safe for them to do so.'
Environment agencies have issued hundreds of alerts for flooding across the UK, including two rare 'severe' warnings where rainfall could also pose a 'danger to life' for communities along the River Mersey in Greater Manchester's East Didsbury and West Didsbury and Northenden.
This came after huge waves were seen crashing on to coastal areas, homes were destroyed by strong winds, and emergency services deployed flood defences along swelling riverbanks on Sunday.
Didsbury Sports Ground is seen flooded today after the River Mersey burst its banks due to heavy rain in Greater Manchester
A car is towed through floodwater during high winds and wet weather at Mountsorrel in Leicestershire this morning
High winds hit the North East coastline at Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside today amid Storm Franklin
Seven mile queues of traffic tailed back on the M25 as Storm Franklin causes the Dartford Bridge to be closed this morning
The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing between Kent and Essex is empty today after it was shut due to winds
A car travels along a flooded road in Mountsorrel in Leicestershire today as Britons were warned to brace for high winds
Didsbury Sports Ground is seen flooded today after the River Mersey burst its banks due to heavy rain in Manchester
Dog walkers brave the strong winds this morning on Wimbledon Common in South West London
Workmen stand at the floodgates in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, as they check water is flowing into surrounding fields
An aircraft arriving from Dublin at Leeds Bradford Airport in West Yorkshire this morning amid the arrival of Storm Franklin
Damage to property in Barton upon Irwell, Greater Manchester, pictured today after Storm Franklin moved in overnight
The M6 was closed in Lancashire between junction 27 and 28 after high winds caused an HGV to hit a bridge and catch fire
Tree surgeons clear away a fallen tree after high winds and wet weather in Liverpool this morning
A tree crashed onto a car in Sutton Coldfield last night but fire crews said it was a 'very lucky escape' for the two people inside
Worcester County Cricket ground is flooded today following the impact of Storm Franklin which caused chaos in Britain
Debris lays across Ford Lane in Northenden, Greater Manchester, this morning amid high water levels of the River Mersey
Didsbury Sports Ground is seen flooded today after the River Mersey burst its banks due to heavy rain in Greater Manchester
A car damaged by a fallen tree after high winds and wet weather in Liverpool this morning after Storm Franklin arrived
Dog walkers brave the strong winds this morning on Wimbledon Common in South West London
Colossal waves have been captured engulfing Newhaven lighthouse in West Quay, East Sussex, and Porthcawl Lighthouse in Bridgend, South Wales.
The River Don burst its banks in the Sprotbrough area of Doncaster in South Yorkshire last night, and police have warned people to stay away from dangerous 'fast flowing' water.
South Yorkshire Police said: 'We ask people to remain away from the area of Sprotbrough Falls and Sprotbrough Lock in Doncaster, after the River Don burst its banks in this location earlier this evening.
'Many of the footpaths in this area are presently underwater. The water is fast flowing and poses a risk to people attempting to wade through it. Members of the public are being asked to remain away from the area at this time for their own safety. Thank you.'
Central Sheffield's flood defences appear to have held, despite fears as the River Don raged through the city last night.
The River Severn has also been threatening to burst its banks, with water creeping towards homes in Ironbridge, Shropshire, and emergency teams have erected flood barriers along some sections of the waterway.
In Derby, firefighters from three locations were called to Wilson Street at 4.15pm yesterday after a roof blew off a terraced house, causing damage to five other properties.
Colossal waves have been captured engulfing Newhaven lighthouse in West Quay, East Sussex, and Porthcawl Lighthouse in Bridgend, Wales.
Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said last week marked the first time three named storms have been recorded within seven days since the storm-naming system began in 2015, with Dudley, Eunice and Franklin.
She added that there will 'definitely be some impact' from Storm Franklin today but it is not expected to be 'as severe' as Eunice because the strongest winds will be confined to the coast.
Gusts of 60mph to 70mph are predicted to hit inland Northern Ireland in the early hours of this morning, while 80mph speeds are expected on the coast. Gales of up to 60mph are expected to sweep the rest of the nation.
As of 10pm yesterday, the Environment Agency had issued two 'severe' flood warnings in Didsbury and Northenden in the North West.
Katharine Smith, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, urged people to 'stay away from swollen rivers' while teams deploy temporary barriers and pumps on the river.
'We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car,' she said.
'Residents close to the River Mersey are being warned to take immediate action and prepare for property flooding.'
Manchester City Council began evacuating affected residents yesterday afternoon in advance of the rising waters.
This morning, Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig said emergency evacuation operations had been stood down in Didsbury, where two severe flood warnings were issued.
She wrote on Twitter: 'Thankfully after the peak at 4am, emergency evacuation operations on the ground were stood down and we got through the night without any flooding or damage to properties.
'Thanks again to everyone involved and to the hundreds of residents who were impacted.'
And a spokesman for Manchester City Council said skilled management of the Didsbury Flood Basin meant no formal evacuation of homes near the River Mersey in Didsbury was needed.
Ms Craig said: 'Thankfully, because of the skilled management of the flood defences on the River Mersey, major flooding and formal evacuations have been avoided, but as the weather remains unsettled there will likely be disruption on our roads and transport routes, so make sure you check the relevant websites before you travel, take care and give yourself extra time.
'We owe a huge debt of thanks to staff at the Environment Agency, emergency services and volunteers who have worked with council staff overnight to monitor the risk of flooding and keep us safe. Water levels look to be falling but this will remain under review for the next few days, so keep an eye on information from the council and emergency services.'
On Friday, Storm Eunice caused what energy providers believe was a record national outage over a 24-hour period, with around 1.4million homes losing power.
The Energy Networks Association said 33,000 homes remained without power as of 8am this morning.
Ross Easton, director of external affairs at the Energy Networks Association (ENA), had said 56,000 people were still without power yesterday afternoon, and Storm Franklin will hamper recovery efforts today.
Huge waves hitting the sea wall at Porthcawl in Bridgend, South Wales, this morning after Storm Franklin moved in overnight
An overturned lorry on the M60 near Trafford Park in Manchester this morning after Storm Franklin moved in overnight
Worcester County Cricket ground is flooded today following the impact of Storm Franklin which caused chaos in Britain
Workmen stand at the floodgates in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, as they check water is flowing into surrounding fields
Debris lays across Ford Lane in Northenden, Greater Manchester, this morning amid high water levels of the River Mersey
Damage to property in Barton upon Irwell, Greater Manchester, pictured today after Storm Franklin moved in overnight
Damage to property in Northenden in Greater Manchester today after Storm Franklin moved in overnight
A tree crashed onto a car in Sutton Coldfield last night but fire crews said it was a 'very lucky escape' for the two people inside
Worcester County Cricket ground is flooded today following the impact of Storm Franklin which caused chaos in Britain
Debris lays across Ford Lane in Northenden, Greater Manchester, this morning amid high water levels of the River Mersey
Fallen trees block a car from getting through in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, during the morning rush hour today
Flooding at Rotherham station in South Yorkshire today which has caused major disruption on Northern Rail services
Dog walkers brave the strong winds this morning on Wimbledon Common in South West London
Fallen trees block a bus and other vehicles from passing this morning in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, as the storm hits
Worcester County Cricket ground has been flooded by the stormy weather in recent weeks that has seen rivers burst banks
An overturned lorry on the M60 near Trafford Park in Manchester this morning after Storm Franklin moved in overnight
A riverside reataurant in Worcester surrounded by floodwater following storms that have hit Britain in recent days
Damage to the white roof covering at The O2 in London is seen today, three days after the damage caused by Storm Eunice
Damage to the white roof covering at The O2 in London is seen today, three days after the damage caused by Storm Eunice
Damage to the white roof covering at The O2 in London is seen today, three days after the damage caused by Storm Eunice
Damage to the white roof covering at The O2 in London is seen today, three days after the damage caused by Storm Eunice
Mr Easton said: 'We're still making pretty good progress in terms of reconnections, but it's certainly being hampered by the high winds.'
O2 will shut until Friday after storm shreds roof
The O2's roof covering is being repaired after Storm Eunice
The O2 arena will remain closed until Friday after part of the London venue's roof was ripped off by Storm Eunice.
The venue's white roof covering is undergoing repairs after parts of it were torn away from supporting ribs by high winds during the storm last Friday. In a statement, the arena said it was 'not quite looking our best' after the storm.
It added that a number of upcoming concerts would be rescheduled, with UB40 rescheduled to February 25, Simply Red to March 2 and 3, The Lumineers to March 4, and Davido to March 5. While new dates for rapper Dave's postponed concerts will be announced within the next 48 hours.
Events at The O2's smaller venue, The Indigo, are also expected to resume after February 25. 'The O2 prides itself on being a venue full of entertainment but following Friday's storm, we're not quite looking our best,' a statement from the venue said.
'We want to continue to provide a safe and secure best-in-class experience for our visitors, so we have made the decision to remain closed until Friday February 25 to give us time to carry out some necessary works on our roof.'
Dave's gigs were supposed to take place on Monday and Tuesday of next week, but will now take place on an as yet unconfirmed date in the future. The O2 has said that all tickets will remain valid for the new dates.
The O2 has the second highest capacity of any indoor venue in the UK, surpassed only by the Manchester Arena. It was originally built as the Millennium Dome, and used to house an exhibition celebrating the turn of the new millennium.
Giving advice to those facing a fourth day without power, he added: 'First and foremost, check on friends, family, and neighbours to make sure they're safe and well, and if you have any concerns or need extra support, call your local network operator.'
The Environment Agency has also issued 185 warnings where 'flooding is likely' for locations mainly in the north and west of England, and 172 alerts where 'flooding is possible' for the north-western half of the UK, London and the south coast.
Some 18 flood warnings and seven alerts have been issued across the Scottish Borders, Ayrshire, Orkney and the Western Isles by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).
Natural Resources Wales has issued 27 flood warnings and 48 alerts covering much of the country.
Meanwhile a horse and pony owner in Stocksbridge, South Yorkshire, said the animals are 'enjoying a duvet day' after their paddock was flooded.
Video taken at around 5pm yesterday at a livery yard in Stocksbridge shows water streaming through a stone wall and on to a field of grass, saturating a large area.
'Twelve horses who usually graze in these fields are currently warm and dry in their stables, enjoying a duvet day,' Lisa Gilbert said.
In Northern Ireland, almost 3,000 homes remained without power this morning amid the third named storm to hit the region within days. Storm Franklin saw strong winds batter Northern Ireland in the early hours of today.
At the peak of the disruption, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) said there were 10,000 homes without power. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) described 'widespread disruption on the roads'.
'Motorists are advised to exercise caution as high winds and rain can make driving conditions difficult,' a spokesman said.
In the Republic of Ireland, more than 30,000 homes and businesses remained without power this morning. Met Eireann said gusts of more than 130kph were recorded in Co Galway and Co Donegal.
Friday's winds – which saw gusts hitting 122mph on the Isle of Wight – claimed three lives, toppled chimneys and church spires and shredded part of the roof of London's O2 Arena, which is due to stay closed until Friday.
BBC weather presenter Simon King tweeted today: 'No two storms are the same and we should be careful comparing them. Meteorologically, Eunice was more 'severe' but for many, Franklin was worse with strong winds sustained for a longer time.'
ESB crews restore power to homes in Spanish Point, County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland today after Storm Franklin hit
ESB crews restore power to homes in Spanish Point, County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland today after Storm Franklin hit
ESB crews restore power to homes in Spanish Point, County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland today after Storm Franklin hit
Storms flatten Kent family's garden and leave them without power for days
Thousands of families across the UK remained without power today, days after Storm Eunice's gale-force winds toppled power lines and cut off their supply.
In the village of Oldbury, in Kent's Ightham, multiple households have been without electricity since Friday when high winds knocked over seven trees, which pulled down power lines.
The fallen trees are in the garden of David Thomas, 56, who said he, his wife and children heard an 'enormous crash' at around 11am on Friday.
He said: 'We looked out of the window upstairs and saw the first two trees laying across the electricity cable.'
He said they were the two biggest in the garden, standing at around twice the height of the house. Five minutes later, another gust took down the other five trees.
Workers trying to restore power today to the home of David Thomas in Oldbury, Ightham in Kent, after it was knocked out by the storm
Energy Minister Greg Hands today with David Thomas, a resident of Oldbury, Ightham in Kent, whose family has been without powe
'It was a little bit of a shock to see what was a wooded garden flattened,' the retired banker said, adding that his eight-year-old daughter was particularly 'upset' because she was attached to the garden and her swings hanging from the trees.
The fallen power lines sparked two small electrical fires, which took firefighters 11 hours to extinguish, in the family's orchard.
Today, energy minister Greg Hands visited the home to see the damage wrought by the storms. He said some 32,000 homes were still without power and that Storm Franklin had hampered recovery efforts.
Energy crews in high-visibility jackets were working in Mr Thomas's garden to cut up the uprooted trees and hoist the wires back up to reconnect them to the network. They expected power to be restored by the evening.
Mr Thomas said: 'We always knew that, once they arrived, it would take two days.'
Workers trying to restore power to the home of David Thomas in Oldbury, Ightham in Kent, today after the power line was knocked out
Energy Minister Greg Hands today with David Thomas, a resident of Oldbury, Ightham in Kent, whose family has been without power
He said it was 'a little bit frustrating' but 'understandable' that the power company had prioritised getting the hundreds of houses in the village up and running before tackling their 'isolated problem'.
He was glad the trees had not fallen towards the house. 'The power going out was awful for everybody but it's better than the house being wrecked,' he said.
The family have stayed warm with a wood burner and cooked eggs and sausages in a pan over the fire.
Mr Thomas said: 'A good friend lent us a generator so we could get light when it got dark on Friday night, then about cooking we got the BBQ out. You just get on with it really.
'The first night was quite exciting for the children; it got a little bit less exciting the second day and the third day.'
Mr Thomas said the family grew so tired of the conditions that they stayed in a hotel on Sunday night.Streets turn to rivers as Matlock is battered by Storm Franklin
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