Storm-ravaged Britain

Evacuations underway as villages cut off in 'national emergency' caused by ferocious storms and floods... and ANOTHER 48 hours of misery are on the way

• Environment Agency has urged people to stay away from the sea and rivers because they risk being killed 
• Teenager Harry Martin still missing after taking photographs of storm from cliffs close to Plymouth in Devon
• Almost 300 flood alerts and warnings in England and Wales, with torrential rain expected to batter South first
• Met Office warns rain could give way to ice and snow as bitterly cold Arctic air brings freezing temperatures

By Lizzie Parry and Abul Taher and Michael Powell and Jack Crone
PUBLISHED: 08:41 GMT, 4 January 2014 | UPDATED: 11:20 GMT, 5 January 2014

Storm-ravaged Britain is facing a further battering over the coming days as gales continue to savage miles of coastline.
Already lives have been lost, cliffs have collapsed, sea fronts wrecked and thousands of acres of countryside left underwater.
And last night the River Severn was threatening to burst its banks, endangering hundreds of homes.
Yesterday families were forced into emergency shelters and two villages were by cut off by floods.
And there is no sign of the worst weather for two decades relenting. Last night the Met Office warned that a further ‘storm surge’ is due tomorrow.
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People staying at the Little Venice Country Park in Kent use a boat to rescue their possessions

This driver struggled to make it through waterlogged roads in Kent

Severe weather has battered coastal towns like Aberystwyth in Wales

A spokesman warned that, if the rain persists for another two days, vast stretches of the Severn will be on the brink of flooding.

These horses had to be rescued from rising flood waters near Christchurch, Dorset

The sun sets over flood water beside the M5 motorway River near Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire

Farmland in Carmarthen, Wales, was covered when the River Towy burst its banks

All over the country: There were almost 300 Environment Agency flood alerts or warnings still in place across England and Wales at 11am today

Astonishing start: A bright red sky at sunrise over countryside near Burton, south-west of Burnham-on-Sea, in Somerset today

The flooding and destruction were described as a ‘national emergency’ by Anne McIntosh, the chairman of the Commons Environment Select Committee. And the Environment Agency warned swells of up to 10ft will hammer the coasts of Devon and Cornwall today and tomorrow.
Jonathan Day, flood risk manager at the agency – which has issued 73 flood warnings and 213 flood alerts – said: ‘The threat to the coast will continue over the next few days, especially on the South and West coast and along the Severn estuary.’
Yesterday ‘keep away’ warnings were issued to storm-watchers after the RNLI had to rescue a student who was trapped on a jetty in Aberystwyth while taking photographs.
Dramatic pictures show the 21-year-old, named locally as Edward Laxton, surrounded by crashing waves before rescuers climb up to the pier, give him a lifejacket, and take him by lifeboat to the shore – where police gave him ‘some strong words of advice’.

A helicopter and lifeboat were scrambled when a windsurfer got into difficulties off the Devon coast after his board shattered.
And a man was pulled from the sea at 3am yesterday at Newquay, Cornwall, after going for a swim. He was treated in hospital for hypothermia and later arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
Police Sergeant Reggie Butle said: ‘Another minute and he would have been washed out to sea and the situation could have been tragic.’
More than 200 homes have been flooded from Cornwall to Scotland, with miles of coastline battered and roads and fields across the country left under water.

A man sits and watches as a giant wave crashes over the promenade wall in Barmouth, Wales

A surge of water engulfs the promenade wall in Barmouth. Along parts of the front the force of the waves smashed through the sea wall

A man feels his way with a walking stick through the flood waters at Christchurch Quay after the river Stour burst its bankS

Prime Minister David Cameron praised the 'great work' of the emergency services and Environment Agency in responding to the latest floods and defended the Government's flooding policy in protecting 200,000 homes.
The Met Office has issued yellow warnings of rain in the south of England and snow in the north of England and southern parts of Scotland. Up to 40mm of rain could fall on higher ground tomorrow and there are more warnings of flooding and travel disruption.
The Environment Agency warned that the south and west coast of England and the Severn estuary still remain at risk of coastal flooding throughout the weekend and next week.
Communities along the north east coast, including Whitby and South Shields, could see flooding, while parts of the south coast, such as Portsmouth and Newhaven, may get more coastal flooding over the next two days.
Flooding affecting thousands of homes from Cornwall to Scotland is a 'national emergency', Anne McIntosh, chair of the Commons Environment Select Committee told Sky News.
She warned Britain needs to hold regular rehearsals to simulate what happens when major weather hits, to ensure the country is prepared in the future.
It came as a man had to be pulled from the sea to safety in the early hours yesterday, after ignoring warnings about the dangers posed by the fierce storm.

Intrigued locals peer over the railings at the violent seas in Brighton

The force of the storm whips up a swell as huge waves break against the groynes on Brighton beach

A photographer stands at a safe distance to capture the force of nature whipping up the seas off the Brighton coast

A man watches the floodwaters rising in Shepton Mallet, left. And right, Craig Robertson wades through the torrents of water in the town

In Guernsey a car attempts to make it through water which has poured on to the sea road after 10 metre tides coincided with strong winds

Locals in Aberystwyth discover a new path to the sea after the storm tore a huge hole in the sea wall

 

Rescuers in Newquay, north Cornwall, plucked the man to safety after he went for a swim at around 4.30am.
He was spotted in waist-high water by police and was dragged from the sea by Sergeant Reggie Butler and other officers and taken to hospital.
Officers secured a line to Sgt Butler, who waded out to pull the man to shore at Towan Beach, because there was no time to wait for other emergency services to get there.
Mr Butler tweeted: 'Great teamwork by my team again tonight rescuing male from sea. All played vital role, speed was essential.
'Not enough time for other emergency rescue services to get there, casualty was in danger, we had chance to rescue him.'
The officer added: 'Not heroes, just cops doing what cops do. Was an 'interesting' few minutes.'
The rescue came as The Met Office issued yellow warnings of rain in the south of England and snow in the north of England and southern parts of Scotland. 
Up to 30mm (1.1in) of rain could fall in just six hours, and there are more warnings of flooding and travel disruption.

Take cover! People are drenched by the crashing waves in Dover, Kent as the tidal surges continue

A child jumps to dodge the spray as waves crash against the pier in Worthing, near Shoreham-by-Sea

Fierce waves pound the seafront in Worthing as people watch, just out of harms way

The Plough Inn in Upton upon Severn is surrounded, after the River Severn burst its banks

A petrol station in Upton upon Severn is cut off by water as a sign alerts people to the flood

The Thames Barrier in east London was closed on Saturday afternoon to protect the capital from the rising waters

Drivers making their way along the A14 near Cambridge on Saturday were battling against some hazardous driving conditions

Whipped up by strong winds, 10-metre tides crash over and on to a coastal road in Guernsey - splashing on to one intrepid driver

On Saturday there were 103 flood warnings are in place, as well as 261 alerts spanning the Midlands, East Anglia, the South, North West and Wales.
The new round of warnings come as hopes began to fade for 18-year-old Harry Martin, who went missing on cliffs near Plymouth, Devon, after he told friends he was going to take photographs of the Atlantic storm.
The chaos caused by the widespread flooding comes the government came under fire as an estimated 1,700 jobs to be axed at the EA, with 550 staff from the floods team to go.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said front-line flood defences would be protected after the EA's chief executive Paul Leinster said risk maintenance would be 'impacted' and work on flood warnings would 'have to be resized'.

RNLI crews were forced to rescue a man who had ventured to the end of a jetty in Aberystwyth on Saturday. First year university student Edward Laxton was taking pictures as the storm battered the harbour

Mr Laxton stands on the edge of the pier which only has waist-high railings as the waves tower above him

The RNLI teams brought Mr Laxton aboard the dinghy in a lifejacket and took him ashore to safety

Mary Dhonau, chairwoman of the Flood Protection Association, said she was 'absolutely appalled' at the job losses at the EA.
She told BBC Breakfast that the jobs were necessary, adding: 'In this climate, and flooding is such a regular occurrence, it really is a no-brainer.'
Leslie Manasseh, deputy general secretary of trade union Prospect, called on the Government to stop the cuts.
'Last week David Cameron praised Environment Agency staff for doing an amazing job with the floods and extreme weather. It's typical that as soon as there is a crisis, the politicians immediately turn to the specialists and professionals with the scientific knowledge and skills to step in and protect the public,' he said.
Gatwick Airport has reassured passengers that flights are operating as normal following the heavy rain and strong winds. Contingency plans have been put in place at the airport to prepare for any potential flooding.
Passengers have been advised to check with their airline before leaving for the airport and to allow extra journey time in case of delays on roads or the rail network.
The Port of Dover said ships in the Channel were facing gale force five winds which was leading to some delays.
A spokesman said: 'Due to adverse weather conditions the terminal is experiencing slight delays to shipping movements. Passengers are advised to contact their shipping operator for further information.'
Trains have also suffered disruption with services from Newport and Bristol to the south coast affected by the weather.
Weather watchers who ignored warnings to avoid coastal areas during the violent storm surge have been told that they are putting themselves and the emergency services at risk.
Police have been forced from emergency calls to move sightseers who decided to get close to the violent storm surge, putting them at risk of being hit by debris or washed away.

Aberystwyth in Wales felt the full force of the storm, the most powerful for decades, as part of the promenade was torn up

While the storm ravaged the Welsh town overnight, Aberystwyth faced another barrage of waves, hitting the seafront

Experts have been out assessing the damage, which is expected to run into millions of pounds in Wales alone

 

The promenade in Aberystwyth was ripped apart as the storm ravaged the coast

A bench is submerged in shingle and sea debris, thrown ashore as 30ft waves battered the beach

The Welsh coast was hit as the highest tides in decades peaked at the same time as the storm unleashed its full force on Friday night

Railings have collapsed and the paving has been uprooted along the promenade in Aberystwyth, top. Bottom, farmland around Leatherhead in Surrey is under water after the River Mole burst its banks, buckling under the pressure of the storm

A pair of rowers take advantage of the flooded racecourse in Worcester, taking a run along the finishing straight

Worcester Racecourse is completely submerged after the ferocious storm hit and torrents of rain fell on already waterlogged ground

A tractor and trailer manages to get through the floodwater in Sutton, Cambridgeshire

Part of the sea wall behind the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe, north Devon, has collapsed following the recent storms and high tides.
Police have closed the bottom car park where the collapse has taken place and North Devon Council engineers have arranged for the area affected to be fenced off.
The public are warned to keep away as it is dangerous, particularly at high tide.
Meanwhile, people in north Devon are advised to remain vigilant over the weekend. Despite the high tides lowering, further rain could still create surface water on local roads and could lead to localised flooding.
Councillor Yvette Gubb, lead member for emergency planning, said: 'We are working closely with all the local emergency services to remain on top of the situation and although the worst seems to be over for now, we urge people not to become complacent and still take extra care.'
In London the Thames Barrier closed at 1pm as a precaution to protect the capital against flooding, the EA said. It is expected to re-open at 4.30pm.
Sporting fixtures have also been affected. Two of Saturday's FA Cup ties - Charlton Athletic's home tie with Oxford United and Crawley Town's clash with Bristol Rovers - have been postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
Meanwhile in Hastings a large chunk of the cliff face fell into the sea.
A bystander filmed the dramatic footage -capturing hundreds of tonnes of rock crashing into the waves.
Elsewhere, horse racing scheduled at Sandown Park in Surrey, and Saturday's National Hunt meeting at Wincanton Racecourse in Somerset were abandoned due to a waterlogged tracks.

Debris strewn across Troon beach in Scotland after winds ripped a huge tree from the ground

People emerged from their homes on the Welsh coast on Saturday to survey the damage caused overnight

Tonnes of sand and gravel has been dumped on the roadway in Aberystwyth, along with huge chucks of the promenade pavement and railings

A telescope leans precariously after the strong seas knocked it over as the storm hit

The promenade in Aberystwyth was closed after debris was strewn across the road. But locals could not resist the chance to get a closer look at the angry seas

After more than a month of terrible weather, large swathes of the country face serious flood threats, with the weather front heading east

The Environment Agency has issued 103 flood warnings and 261 further alerts across the UK

Keep up-to-date: Prime Minister David Cameron urged people to keep up-to-date with the latest weather warnings

High tides and large waves flooded streets in Looe in Cornwall and Salcombe and Kingsbridge in Devon, but the RNLI said it was not as bad as it had expected, according to the BBC.
Emergency services rescued four people from a flooded farm in Llanbedr near Barmouth, north west Wales, the River Severn burst its banks in Gloucestershire and a pregnant woman was rescued after 30 properties were flooded in Cardigan, mid-Wales.
Two people have already died in the storms. A 27-year-old man from Surrey was found on Porthleven Sands beach in Cornwall after he was swept out to sea on New Year's Eve night, and a woman died after being rescued from the sea in Croyde Bay, north Devon.
The ferocious weather has left widespread damage. In Aberystwyth debris was strewn across the promenade, rail lines in north Wales were left buckled by the power of the sea and a road collapsed in Amroth, Pembrokeshire.
Experts along the Welsh coast are were yesterday assessing the damage, which is expected to run into millions of pounds after seawalls caved in against the mountainous waves.

Leatherhead Football club, pictured, and vast swathes of the country were under water today after heavy rain battered southern and western parts

Waterlogged ground, like that at Leatherhead Football Club, has forced a number of sporting fixtures to called off. Two FA cup ties and horse racing meetings have fallen victim to the weather

Flooding on the river Severn in Worcestershire

The River Mole in Leatherhead, Surrey burst its banks over Christmas but after days of torrential downpours the water level has not yet receded

A sign on Preston Beach in Weymouth states the Environment Agency are carrying out emergency repairs

DESPITE A MONTH OF SEVERE FLOODS EXPERTS FACE LAY-OFFS

Lay-offs at the Environment Agency will affect the organisation’s ability to cope with flooding, bosses said last night.

More than 550 staff who work in flood risk management could lose their jobs as part of restructuring to save money.

Paul Leinster, the agency’s chief executive, said maintenance work would be hit and new developments would have to be ‘resized’.

‘Flood risk maintenance will be impacted,’ he said.

‘And we’re looking at a proportionate reduction in the number of people in flood risk management.’ The planned staff losses come despite a funding increase from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

A spokesman for the agency downplayed the staffing cuts, adding: ‘Our budget for 2014-15 will be confirmed shortly.

‘However, we are likely to reduce staff numbers from the previous forecast of around 11,250 at the end of March 2014 to around 9,700 by October 2014 dependent on future funding'.

Owen Paterson, Environment Secretary, denied they would cut front line jobs.

The university town of Aberystwyth, where Prince Charles studied, bore the brunt of the storm and 150 students had to be evacuated from their accommodation.
Start of term examinations which were due to begin in Monday have been it back a week because of the disruption.
Pro vice-chancellor Rebecca Davies said: 'Waves have pretty much washed away big sections of the promenade.
'Our accommodation is now acting almost as the sea wall.'
Aberystwyth University student Millie Farmer said the town's promenade was a 'complete mess'.
Miss Farmer, a second year geography student, estimated that hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage had been done.
'They're starting to clear up. It's a complete mess," said Miss Farmer, 19, who comes from Shepreth, Cambridgeshire.
'You can't see the road. The promenade slabs have been scattered everywhere. It's an extension of the beach.
'It's a real shame. The front was damaged by storms a few weeks ago. They'd only just repaired it. Now it's been ruined again.'
Miss Farmer said seafront properties had been evacuated yesterday and rescue centres set up. She said waves had been 'spectacular'.
'The weather is nothing like as bad as it was,' she said. 'But it was still pretty scary this morning. The waves hitting the front were twice as high as me - and I'm not far off six feet.'
A crowd of 200 people ignored warnings and turned up to watch the spectacular waves hitting the sea front in the town during the latest high tide.
But they were kept well back as the giant breakers picked up rocks and debris - throwing them onto the promenade.
More than 100 people spent Friday night in rest centres set up in the Victorian seaside resort.
Several hotels on seafront were flooded during the high tide and many hoteliers fled after the sandbags they put out were washed away.
Richard Griffiths of the Richmond Hotel said: 'Neighbours of mine were standing behind a window which just caved in.
'No one was injured but it just went straight through the building and out into the garden into the back.'
Other coastal roads in West Wales were also hit - with the surfing village of Newgale cut off after the sea wall gave in.
Saturday morning's high tide caused some localised flooding to Looe and Port Gaverne in Cornwall but was not as bad as feared. Land's End Airport has also been closed due to a flooded airfield.

POLICE SEARCHING FOR MAN LAST SEEN WALKING TOWARDS COASTAL PATH TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE WEATHER

Harry Martin left his home in Membland, Newton Ferrers, near Plymouth, Devon, at around midday yesterday

The bad weather has not only batttered the coast and flooded homes, but it has led to deaths and disappearances.
Air, sea and land searches are under way for an 18-year-old who has not been seen since he left his home to take pictures of the weather.
Harry Martin left his home in Membland, Newton Ferrers, near Plymouth, Devon, at around midday on Thursday as the storm approached.
Devon and Cornwall Police said Mr Martin was last seen walking in the direction of the coastal path near his home.
Police, Coastguard, the RNLI from Plymouth and helicopters from the police and RNAS Culdrose are conducting extensive searches around the coast and inland areas.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: 'The police, Devon Rescue Group, Coastguard, specialist search dogs and members of the public are continuing to search for Harry.
'Over 100 members of the public have volunteered to assist with searches in the local area of Newton Ferrers. We advise the public not to put themselves at risk.'
'His disappearance is described as out of character and police are extremely concerned for his welfare,' the police spokesman said.
'Anyone who has seen Harry or knows of his whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately.'
A Coastguard spokesman said: 'They were last seen heading out to take photos of the weather yesterday lunchtime.
'Although missing person inquiries are co-ordinated by the police, HM Coastguard assist by co-ordinating search and rescue along the coastline and out to sea.
'Because the village is situated on the River Yealm estuary, the Coastguard rescue teams from Yealm and Plymouth were sent to search the coastline whilst the RNLI lifeboats from Plymouth searched the sea.
'The Royal Navy helicopter from Culdrose is also on scene, searching the area around Newton Ferrers.'
Mr Martin is described as 5ft 11in, and slim with short dark hair, a light beard and blue eyes.
He is thought to be wearing pink skinny jeans and a grey hooded jumper.
Later, police described Mr Martin's family as 'distressed' and said they did not wish to speak publicly.
The storms have already claimed at least two lives.
The body of a 27-year-old man from Surrey was found on Porthleven Sands beach in Cornwall.
He had been swept out to sea on New Year's Eve night, having gone for a paddle with friends at nearby Loe Bar.
In a second tragedy on Tuesday, a woman died after being swept out to sea at the popular beauty spot Croyde Bay in north Devon.
The woman, who was believed to be on holiday with her family, was rescued from the sea and airlifted to hospital before being confirmed dead by doctors.
Elsewhere, police in Dorset investigating a report of a man falling into the swollen River Stour in Christchurch have ended their inquiries after no-one was reported missing in the area.