Thousands of homes lose power as heavy rain and winds continueReported by Metro.co.uk on Sunday, 29 April 2012 (on April 29, 2012)
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*Heavy rain and gale force winds brought flooding and chaos to much of Britain over the weekend.
*
Battered: The sea wall and harbour lighthouse are pounded by waves at Seaham, Co Durham (Picture: North News)
About 10,000 homes were left without power in south Wales and the West Midlands as winds of more than 70mph ripped down power lines.
Fallen trees blocked roads and railway lines in Devon, while police in Gloucestershire advised against all ‘non-essential’ travel.
High winds even tore the roof off a block of flats in Bridgend, south Wales, on Sunday.
Timber: A tree lands on a car in Dulwich, south London (Picture: Reuters)
Warren Tribe, 44, said: ‘It was lucky no one was killed.
‘The block was getting battered by the wind and then I heard this massive roar. The roof flew off and went about 150m – debris was flying around like Frisbees.’
Elsewhere, at Heathrow airport more than ten short-haul flights were cancelled or delayed because of the squally conditions.
And in Essex, the Maldon Mud Race was re-routed for safety reasons after the heavy rain.
Organisers were anxious not to cancel the annual event which has recently been moved from winter to spring to take advantage of warmer weather.
The Environment Agency issued 145 flood alerts nationally – and more downpours are forecast for this week.
Determined: A competitor in the Maldon Mud Race in Essex (Picture: Paul Brown/Demotix)
Rain is expected to fall at a rate of up to 6mm per hour in some parts of the country on Monday.
The south-east will enjoy a brief sunny respite but the rain will reappear again on Tuesday.
While the weather has boosted river levels, those hoping for an end to the hosepipe ban could be disappointed.
Forecasters said the heavy rain was failing to replenish reservoirs as it was running off the hard, dry ground and straight into the sea.
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