Thousands of homes are without power in southwest England and Ireland and commuters face travel disruption as heavy rain and winds of up to 80mph continue. Hundreds of Western Power Distribution staff have been working through the night to restore power to 6,000 homes, down from around 44,000 which are mainly in Devon and Cornwall. "Airborne debris" had hit overhead power lines, said a company spokesman. In Ireland 20,000 homes were left without power, now down to 8,000, as the second city, Cork, was inundated for the third time in five days. Forecasters say that heavy rain and gale force winds will continue to bring travel disruption and flooding to coastal areas over the next few days. Jeff Penhaligon, harbourmaster at East Looe in Cornwall, told Sky News the storm was "really hammering at the moment". Both East and West Looe took a battering overnight and were now awaiting a mid morning high tide. He warned people to keep away from the waves, saying: "The sea is horrendous. Watch it by all means but stay well back." The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning, with southern and western areas of the UK and the east coast of Ireland most at risk. Gusts of 60-70mph are expected today across parts of south Wales, Devon and Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset. First Great Western Trains has advised passengers not to travel west of Exeter St Davids station because of "major" track damage at Dawlish. Southeastern has also imposed a 40mph speed limit on parts of its network until Wednesday evening. Fallen trees, floods and landslips are possible, said the company. Will Stephens, RNLI Coastal Safety Staff Officer, said: "With more stormy weather forecast, we're asking people to take extra care if they're going down to the coast. "Rough seas and extreme weather might look exciting, but getting too close can be risky. So respect the water and, in particular, avoid exposed places where big waves could sweep you off your feet." The heavy rain is likely to bring more misery to flooded areas of Somerset, which were visited on Tuesday by Prince Charles. The Environment Agency - which has been accused of not doing enough to help Somerset flood victims - has issued six severe flood warnings in place across Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. Across the southern half of the UK there are 76 less severe flood warnings, and 219 flood alerts. The agency said on its website: "Today and tomorrow high tides, a positive surge, strong winds and large waves combine to bring a risk of significant impacts from coastal flooding to much of south-west England and southern England coastlines and minor impacts to the west Wales coastline." 'Danger to life' warnings cover six areas: South Devon from Start Point to Dawlish Warren and from Exmouth to Lyme Regis, Weymouth seafront, Lyme Regis harbour, West Bay harbour, and the South Cornwall coast between Lands End and Plymouth. A high tide is expected in those areas this morning. The flooding risk in Scotland is less widespread, with just one flood warning in Kirkcaldy and seven flood alerts in other areas. Gale Leaves Thousands Of Homes Without Power Video: The Environment Agency has been accused of not doing enough Video: Nazaneen Ghaffar has the latest forecast Homes Without Power After Storms 'Stay away from the coast': severe flood warnings as storms lash Britain Weather: thousands without power as storms add to flood misery Wind leaves thousands without power Power cuts and floods as storms wreak fresh havoc Thousands without power as storms batter the UK Thousands without power as parts of the UK are battered by more storms UK weather: Thousands of homes left without power as southwest takes a 'pasting' from 80mph winds UK storms: Thousands of homes suffer power cuts Don't get too close to the coast during storms, coastguard warns Storms hit battered south-west Britain Latest travel and weather: Power cuts and flooding as storms continue Power cut hits 15,000 households in south-west England Southwest England hit by power cuts as storms and floods roll in Gale Leaves Thousands Of Homes Without Power,UK Homes Without Power,Homes Without Power After Storms,Stay away from the coast,flood warnings as storms lash Britain,UK thousands without power as storms,Nazaneen Ghaffar has the latest forecast,UK Wind leaves thousands without power,Power cuts and floods as storms in UK,Thousands without power as storms batter the UK,UK weather,UK storms,Storms hit battered south-west Britain,Southwest England hit by power cuts as storms,Power cuts and flooding as storms in UK,

• published: 05 Feb 2014
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