Two persons killed as UK storm worsens

LONDON: Two persons were killed as Britain continued to be battered by extremely stormy weather, with the Met office forecasting more rain and gale force winds over the weekend.

A 49-year-old mini-cab driver was killed when a building fell on her car in central London. The cab was close to Holborn Tube station last night when the front of a building collapsed and crushed her inside the car.

An 85-year-old cruise ship passenger also died when the vessel was hit by a freak wave in the English Channel.

More rain and gale force winds are forecast over the weekend as widespread flooding continues to bring misery to thousands.

UK Power Networks said about 11,000 customers had faced power cuts across Kent, Surrey and Sussex today.

Severe flood warnings remain in place on the Thames in Surrey and further warnings remain in place for rivers across the southeast, including the Colne, Dun, Rother, Medway, Beult, Stour, and Wey.

The army has been helping to protect infrastructure and homes from flooding in Surrey. Soldiers were also called on to help clear fallen trees, police said.

More than 30 people had to be rescued by emergency services and the army from a seafront restaurant in Milford on Sea, Hampshire, after wind-blown shingle shattered windows and the sea flooded it.

All train services west of Plymouth have been cancelled, while a landslide near Redhill has hit the line south of London.

Communities across the country have been using sandbags and makeshift barriers to protect their homes and businesses from the floodwaters.

Prince William and his brother Harry joined in the emergency relief yesterday as they helped fill sandbags in Datchet, Berkshire.

Forecasters are warning of more heavy rainfall and gale-force winds today.

Southern England will see between 10mm-20mm (0.4in - 0.8in), while the South West and south Wales could see up to 40mm (1.6in), the Met Office said.