Britain's battered coastline: Railway tracks destroyed, businesses flooded and homes evacuated

Thousands of homes and businesses are flooded, damaged or without power today after another violent storm hit Britain’s coast.

More communities in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and South Wales are now under water after rivers burst their banks and sea defences were breached by huge waves driven in on gale-force gusts.

At least 8,000 properties are still without power and 60,000 homes had to have it restored after winds peaked at 92mph overnight and smashed overhead cables with ‘airborne debris’.

The terrible weather also caused transport chaos after large chunks of infrastructure were damaged by the Atlantic storm, including in Devon where the railway line to London was washed away.

Around four million people have also been suffering nightmare commutes as much of the London Underground was shut down after a 48-hour strike by Tube workers started last night.

David Cameron has today promised an extra £100million for flood defences and agreed to chair a meeting of the Cobra national committee to discuss the storm crisis.

Rising water: A waterside bar is pounded by the waves in Plymouth as the south-west bears the brunt of the Atlantic storm that first hit overnight

Dramatic: The church at Porthleven in south-west Cornwall is engulfed by waves during the high winds again battering the country over the next 24 hours

Country and coast: Residents look at flood water in the village of Ruishton on the stricken Somerset levels near Taunton while the railway line at Dawlish, Devon has been left hanging in mid-air after the sea wall was washed away by huge waves

Huge waves and seawater flood the promenage in Torquay

As wind, high tides and huge waves continues unabated there are 67 flood warnings and 213 flood alerts in place, according to the Environment Agency.

‘We are now waiting for the next high tide, which will be at around 5pm,’ the spokesman said.The Environment Agency said this morning’s high tide caused problems, particularly in Dawlish.

‘We don’t think it will be as extreme as the one this morning. We have a band of rain coming in now which could see some impact, particularly in Somerset.

‘We are currently checking damage done by the wave action, making sure emergency repair work is done, making sure flood defences can stand up to any further wave action.’

The Hoe in Plymouth experienced large waves and damage to some properties.

Devon and Cornwall Police warned residents to stay away from coastal areas as they dealt with a large number of calls relating to road debris, damage to property and flooding.

‘There remains a host of minor road closures throughout the region due to road debris and fallen trees,’ a spokesman said.

‘Motorists are warned to expect the unexpected on rural roads and drive according to road conditions.

‘Flood water should also be avoided and speeds should be lowered on the region’s main road network.’

In the South-West 200 electrical engineers have been working through the night to repair damage caused by debris being blown into overhead lines by strong winds.

A forecaster at the Met Office said the winds in the south west are likely to ‘continue along a similar sort of strength’ into today, and people can expect weather in other areas to be ‘much of the same’ as they have been experiencing.

It issued ‘be prepared’ amber warnings for strong winds across southern England and Wales.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2552027/Thousands-homes-left-without-power-trains-cancelled-storm-batters-parts-country.html#ixzz2sSV8pwfq

Source: http://nunezreport.blogspot.com/2014/02/britains-battered-coastline-railway.html