MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

More powerful storms forecasted along west-south England

Vessel grounded on a beach following gale storms

A powerful storm has hit the western and southern coasts of England and Wales over the weekend, with forecasters warning of more to come. There has been widespread disruption to roads, rail and air travel, while almost 12,000 homes are without power.

The Environment Agency said the main areas at risk of flooding were the Bristol Channel, Severn Estuary and the Somerset coast. High tides along the south west, southern and west coasts are due between 1800 GMT and midnight Monday. There are currently 13 flood warnings in place in England and Wales, and a severe flood warning for Chichester Harbour. The Environment Agency currently has seven severe flood warnings in force, 48 flood warnings and 53 flood watches. Rescuers helped a Swedish tanker with 13 crew on board which got into difficulties off the Isle of Wight as the storms whipped up the waters. A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: "The situation has now improved along parts of the south west and southern coasts" but it is urging people in those areas to stay vigilant, as high spring tides combining with strong winds could cause flooding. The Environment Agency is also using bulldozers to build up shingle to protect the coast in Sussex and Kent. In Selsey Bill, West Sussex, a lifeboat was sent to rescue 30 people from a caravan park after flood defenses were breached at high tide. A number of flights at Heathrow and Gatwick airports were cancelled, while speed restrictions were put in place on some rail lines. Flooding caused lane closures on the M25, while the Port of Dover was closed, with P&O Ferries unable to operate any of its Dover-Calais sailings. It has now reopened. The M48 Severn Bridge between England and Wales was closed both ways because of high winds but one lane has since reopened. Small-scale flooding has affected parts of south west England, with residents putting out sandbags to protect homes in parts of Devon and Cornwall. High winds have also caused considerable damage and disruption, blowing off garage roofs in Devon and west Wales, uprooting trees and bringing down power lines. A wind speed of 82mph was recorded in Berry Head in Brixham, south Devon, as well as at the Mumbles in Swansea. In south-west England, 7,000 homes are without power, with 3,000 affected in Wales and 1,700 in Sussex. In Cornwall, more than 30 properties in the seaside towns of Looe, Fowey, Mevagissey and Flushing were hit by wind-driven high tides. Lloyds TSB Insurance says it has had a 150% increase in new claims registered in the first part of the day compared with a typical Monday morning. Parts of north-east England and Scotland have been hit by snowfall as well as high winds with snow ploughs needed to keep some roads open.