UK storms: 'Colossal waves' set to batter coastal areas

"Colossal waves" whipped up by winds of up to 70mph are likely to cause more flooding as some coastal areas take another battering, forecasters warn.

Western and southern areas are likely to bear the brunt, where flooding could be worse than that seen in recent days.

More than 100 flood warnings, meaning "flooding is expected", are in place in England, Scotland and Wales.

A severe flood warning, meaning "danger to life", is in place for the Lower Stour in Dorset.

BBC forecaster John Hammond said there was no good news for exposed places around southern and western coasts where there would be "colossal waves".

Weather for the week ahead
"Add on top of that high spring tides again - and very, very strong winds of up to 70mph - and here's your recipe for scenes similar, or perhaps even worse, than those we've seen over the last couple of days."

He added: "These waves are going to be absolutely lethal if you get in the way of them."

The main road between Rostrevor and Warrenpoint, County Down, was submerged on Sunday afternoon
The Met Office issued a warning of gusts of up to 70mph on Britain's west coast, the south-east of England and the east coast of Northern Ireland on Monday.

It said a large, deep depression in the Atlantic had been "whipping waves up" out at sea and these would come into western and southern coastal areas of the UK as a large swell on Monday.

"This, combined with waves driven by the winds in UK waters on Monday, will generate wave heights of 7-10m over parts of western Scotland, Wales and south-west England, and 3-7m in much of the English Channel and Irish Sea," it added.

"The public should be aware of the dangers of waves crashing onshore and over-topping shore lines and sea fronts."

As well as the severe flood warning for Iford Bridge Home Park, Dorset, more than 90 flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required - are in place in England and Wales.

More than 230 flood alerts - meaning "flooding is possible, be prepared" - are also in place.

Residents in Dorset and Oxfordshire, already inundated by high waters, were again urged by the Environment Agency to prepare for "significant flooding" on the Thames, Dorset Stour and Frome.

Flooding is also expected to continue on the Somerset Levels, and rivers in the south-east of England, including the Severn, remain "very high".

In Scotland, 10 flood warnings are in place in Perth and Kinross while, elsewhere in Scotland, a further 15 flood alerts are in place.

Strong winds and high tides have caused serious flooding in County Down and sandbags have been distributed in a number of towns close to the county's coastline amid fears of further problems.

Roads in areas including Ayrshire, Pembrokeshire, West Sussex, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Somerset, and Devon are closed because of flooding.

National Rail said operators would be running planned timetables on Monday but warned some journeys would "continue to be affected by problems caused by previous storms".

First Great Western called on passengers planning to travel in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset or Hampshire to travel as early as possible because of fears of disruption and extended journey times later in the day.
Source:BBC