Storm Brian batters Britain as high winds and heavy rain strike days after Ophelia

Waves crash into the seafront in Porthlevenin Cornwall as Storm Brian hits the UK
PA
Patrick Grafton-Green21 October 2017

Storm Brian battered parts of Britain with gusts of up to 80mph as high winds and heavy rain struck days after Storm Ophelia wreaked havoc.

The weather threatened to impact half-term travel plans as trees blocked roads and some flights were cancelled.

The strongest gusts to hit the UK were 78mph, which struck the Llyn Peninsula on the north west coast of Wales, according to the Met Office.

Meanwhile in Ireland, where three people were killed as a result of the hugely destructive Storm Ophelia, limited damage was suffered, with some flooding and travel disruption.

A yellow weather warning for wind was put in place across a swathe of Britain, including Wales and southern England up to the Midlands and North West, and was set to remain in place until midnight on Saturday.

Waves crash into the seafront in Porthleven Cornwall as Storm Brian hits the UK
PA

Forecaster Luke Miall said: "There has been some travel disruption and some trees down. We have also seen coastal impacts, with waves breaking over sea walls."

British Airways warned passengers of disruption due to the adverse weather, saying "a very small number of customers will be rebooked onto alternative flights".

Some 20 BA flights from Heathrow are believed to have been cancelled.

Waves crash over Newhaven harbour wall on the south coast of England
AFP/Getty Images

Elsewhere the Great South Run in Portsmouth and Southsea was cancelled but Sunday's events are due to go ahead amid a better forecast.

People were also advised to stay away from exposed coastal areas and urged not to take so-called "storm selfies" as high tides and a storm surge create dangerous conditions along some coasts.

The Environment Agency issued dozens of flood alerts, as well as two flood warnings urging "immediate action".

Flooding in Merchant's Quay Plaza in Limerick, the worst hit area of Ireland
PA

Waves were seen crashing at Porthcawl in south Wales on Saturday morning, while Environment Agency workers were pictured erecting temporary flood barriers in Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight.

Up to 8.4mm (0.3ins) of rain fell in an hour in Port Logan, south west Scotland on Saturday afternoon as heavy rain fell in the North West of England as Storm Brian moved across from Ireland.

National flood duty manager for the Environment Agency Ben Lukey warned members of the public against posing for photos during the hazardous conditions.

Sandbags in the Spanish Arch area of Galway City, as Storm Brian hits Ireland
PA

He said: "We urge people to stay safe along the coast and warn against putting yourself in unnecessary danger by taking 'storm selfies' or driving through flood water - just 30cm is enough to move your car."

National Rail warned the stormy weather could impact on train services, with emergency speed restrictions imposed on most of the routes in Wales.

Drivers were also urged to take extra care on the roads during high winds, as vehicle recovery and insurance firm the AA reminded motorists that surface spray, reduced visibility and potential flooding remained high risks.

The Energy Networks Association, representing the UK's energy infrastructure, said residents could call the free 105 advice telephone number in case of damage to local network and power supplies.

Storm Brian is the result of a "weather bomb" of low pressure in the Atlantic Ocean.

It follows Storm Aileen, the first UK-named storm of the season, which left thousands of homes without power last month.

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