Monstrous Waves and Flooding Lash Europe

LONDON -- High winds, waves and tides lashed the western coasts of Britain and France on Friday, flooding seaside towns and low-lying areas.
Wales, southwest England and Northern Ireland were the worst-hit U.K. regions by the latest in a recent series of extreme winter storms. Parts of northwestern France also suffered flooding.
"This is the latest in a series of powerful storm systems that have pounded the UK and Ireland since Christmas Eve," said weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. "A break is expected on Saturday before yet another storm approaches Sunday with more soaking rainfall and gusty winds."

 A combination of heavy rain, winds gusting up to 90 mph and exceptionally high tides sent water flooding Friday into several British seaside towns. Some western rivers also burst their banks.
The U.K. Environment Agency issued eight severe flood warnings - meaning there is a threat to life and property - as well as almost 400 less serious flood warnings and alerts. That was down from 14 severe warnings earlier in the day.

 Floods also washed over parts of northwestern France, as heavy rains coupled with unusually high tides left the streets of some coastal towns underwater. Finistere - a French region jutting out into the Atlantic whose name roughly translates as "Land's End" - was under high alert Friday for flooding. In town of Quimperle, further south along the Brittany coast, shops and homes were evacuated as the Laita River overflowed its banks. The storm follows severe weather in early December and over Christmas that also hit western Europe.
 

 

A huge ancient formation known as Pom Pom Rock  was destroyed after constant pounding by ferocious waves on the South coast of England. The rock off Portland, Dorset, was said to have weighed hundreds of tons and dates back 150 million years to the Jurassic age.

Astonishing: People photograph enormous waves as they break on Porthcawl, South Wales, where very strong winds and high seas create dangerous conditions

  Storm-driven waves batter the sea front at the Welsh coastal town of Aberystwyth. Strong winds and large waves caused further coastal flooding

Evacuation ordered: Large waves crash over the promenade at high tide in Aberystwyth, Mid Wales

 Severe flood warnings - the highest level of warning - have been issued by the Environment Agency for all seaside towns. As forecasters revealed that last month was the stormiest December since 1969, floods have left all access roads to Muchelney under 3ft of water. The Somerset village, which lies between Taunton and Yeovil, has been cut off for four days - and it's only just recovered from last year's flooding.

More than 122 flood warnings urging people to be prepared for flooding remain in place across the country , including in Dorset, Oxfordshire, south Wiltshire, Hampshire and along the river Thames, while more than 200 low-level alerts have been issued.
The Met Office issued a ‘be aware’ yellow warning for wind as gusts of up to 70mph are expected on the west and south-west coast of Britain and France today, with  heavy showers, some of them combined with hail and thunder.

 Isolated: An aerial view of Muchelney in Somerset, which has been cut off by the floods, as much of the UK continues to endure bad weather and flooding

 

No way in or out: The Somerset village of Muchelney, which lies in between Taunton and Yeovil, has been cut off for four days after the roads flooded                                                                 

 

Stay away from the seafront: Waves crash against the promenadeas strong winds and high tides continue in western Britain

 

 

 

Splash: Porthleven in Cornwall today. Britain was again being battered by strong winds and large waves today as coastal communities braced for further flooding.

 

Huge: Colossal waves batter the Cornish coast at Porthleven. Officials around the country have pleaded with people to keep away from the storm-hit coasts

Destruction: The 18th-century pier at Portreath
Surfers have reportedly flown in from the US to follow a deep depression across the Atlantic dubbed Winter Storm Hercules, hoping to catch big waves. And other thrill-seekers were still risking their lives to storm-watch, defying guidance from police and the EA to stay away from dangerous coastlines.

Waves of 27ft have been recorded at Land's End and the storm caused disruption for many people returning to work after the Christmas break. The Thames Barrier was in operation to protect those along the river.

 

 

 

Graphic: Ongoing flooding is expected on the Somerset Levels and rivers in the South East, including the Severn, remain 'very high' after recent rainfall

Not open for business: Stormy weather at Caswell Bay in Swansea, South Wales, as Britain is battered by high waves and strong winds.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Brazilians \A South African and Hawaiian team in France, and Portuguese and German chargers in Ireland have all arrived to surf the swell of the season. The biggest rideable swell will be at Nazare in Portugal, but some of the coldest and most dangerous will be in Ireland. Despite the media coverage big wave surfing gets these days it is still an incredibly dangerous and frequently deadly sport performed by true professionals who dedicate their lives to surviving the horrific forces wiping out and long periods being held down under water.

Environment Agency teams remain out on the ground across the country and will continue to work around the clock to protect communities at risk. David Cameron pledged that lessons will be learned from the flooding and insisted that the EA has been given the funding to protect frontline services.

Evacuation ordered: Large waves crash over the promenade at high tide in Aberystwyth, Mid Wales

 No-go area: Flood water from the River Wey fills a field in Guildford, Surrey.

 

Damaged: The Worcestershire County Cricket Club ground was covered in floodwater today as the South-West was battered by severe weather conditions

 

 

Where does the road end and the water begin? Flooding at Emsworth in Hampshire at high tide. Pictured is the South Street car park

 

Like a painting: A storm approaches the seafront at Falmouth, Cornwall, just after sunset last night