Loading....
x
LONDON - Heavy rain and winds of up to 100 miles an hour (160 kph) caused flooding, closed roads and disrupted transport across southern Britain on Saturday.
The country's worst storm this year triggered flash floods in coastal regions. Scores of motorists had to be rescued from their cars, and in several areas trees toppled onto cars and power lines.
A gust of 100 mph (160 kph) was recorded Saturday at Needles, on the Isle of Wight, and 60 houses were damaged by a tornado in the town Benfleet, east of London.
The wild weather prompted authorities in London to cancel a fireworks display scheduled for the Lord Mayor's Show, an annual parade of pageantry.
Ferries between England and France were cancelled because of high winds, and three oil rig workers were rescued by a lifeboat after their supply boat ran aground at Ness Point, Britain's most easterly point.
There were no reported deaths.
Weather service the Met Office says conditions should be calmer Sunday.
The country's worst storm this year triggered flash floods in coastal regions. Scores of motorists had to be rescued from their cars, and in several areas trees toppled onto cars and power lines.
A gust of 100 mph (160 kph) was recorded Saturday at Needles, on the Isle of Wight, and 60 houses were damaged by a tornado in the town Benfleet, east of London.
The wild weather prompted authorities in London to cancel a fireworks display scheduled for the Lord Mayor's Show, an annual parade of pageantry.
Ferries between England and France were cancelled because of high winds, and three oil rig workers were rescued by a lifeboat after their supply boat ran aground at Ness Point, Britain's most easterly point.
There were no reported deaths.
Weather service the Met Office says conditions should be calmer Sunday.
more world stories
China says 11 dead, 128 trapped after gas explosion in northern coal mine
BEIJING - A gas explosion tore through a coal mine in northern China on Saturday, killing 11 people and trapping another 128, central government authorities said.
Senator: Postal Service to allow volunteers in Alaska town to write 'Dear Santa' responses
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - North Pole elves have good reason to celebrate again, thanks to a decision by the U.S. Postal Service to resume a Santa Claus letter program that's thrilled children from around the world for decades.
Italian prosecutor: US student 'harboured hatred' for Briton; killed her in sex game
PERUGIA, Italy - An American student accused of fatally stabbing her British roommate in Italy had a growing hatred for the victim and killed her in retaliation during a drug-fueled sex game, a prosecutor contended Friday in closing arguments at her murder trial.
UN children's convention at 20: Indian boy embodies the plight of millions of downtrodden kids
NEW DELHI - Arun Kumar was born to disabled parents, beaten by his grandparents, ran away from home, got a job in a garment factory and had all his savings stolen by the police.
Vatican researcher says faint writing on Shroud of Turin proves its authenticity
ROME - A Vatican researcher has rekindled the age-old debate over the Shroud of Turin, saying that faint writing on the linen proves it was the burial cloth of Jesus.
editor's picks
Nearly a third of the members of Parliament are on Twitter bandwagon
OTTAWA - Members of Parliament are scrambling to climb aboard the Twitter bandwagon - and getting elbowed by controversial, satirical and even phoney postings.
U.S. volunteers strive to save Santa letter service after Postal Service puts it on ice
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A group of volunteer Santa Claus "elves" in Alaska's frigid interior is determined to save a popular holiday letter service featuring the North Pole's most beloved icon.
Egypt, Algeria in a growing diplomatic row caused by their bitter soccer rivalry
CAIRO, Egypt - Egypt on Thursday recalled its ambassador to Algeria for consultations as part of a growing diplomatic row caused by a bitter soccer rivalry between the two Arab nations that has sparked violence among fans.
EU heads into new era with unknowns named to new president, foreign policy jobs
BRUSSELS - The EU says it has solved an old problem for Washington.
Finance minister proposes code of conduct for credit-and debit-card companies
OTTAWA - Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is proposing a voluntary code of conduct for credit-and debit-card companies that he says will "level the playing field" for consumers and small businesses alike.
Copyright 2001-2009, Free Daily News Group Inc.