Flood-hit Britain now battered by storms, high winds
Foul weather continues to affect the UK as heavy rains and hurricane force winds add to problems already caused by widespread flooding
Flood-hit Britain suffered a fresh battering on Wednesday from storms and high winds that caused power cuts to nearly 150,000 homes, the cancellation of football matches and the death of one man.
Gusts approaching 160 kilometres per hour tore at parts of England and Wales, and the River Thames was predicted to rise to its highest level in more than 60 years in places, threatening towns and villages to the west of London.
One man died after being electrocuted while attempting to move a fallen tree that had brought down power lines in Wiltshire, southwest England, and 147,000 homes, mostly in Wales, were left without power after high winds brought down power cables, the authorities said.
More than 1,100 properties along the Thames have been flooded since January 29, authorities said.
More soldiers were drafted in to rescue residents and lay sandbags in deluged villages where primary schools have been transformed into makeshift emergency centres.
