Storm Bella batters Britain: Hundreds left without power as winds hit 83mph with dozens of new flood warnings in place after people were forced to flee their homes on Christmas Day

• Met Office said a gust of wind had been recorded at 83mph in the coastal village of Aberdaron in North Wales 
• In Cornwall, more than 100 homes were without electricity on Saturday night in the Plymouth and Truro area
• Yellow warnings for rain are in place across much of the UK, as well as two ‘threat to life’ flood notices 

Storm Bella battered Britain overnight leaving hundreds of people without power as winds hit 83mph and dozens of new flood warnings were put in place.  

Very strong winds and heavy rain lashed the UK, particularly in parts of Wales and southern England, where severe gales caused damage to buildings around coastal and hilly areas. 

The Met Office said a gust of wind had been recorded at 83mph in the coastal village of Aberdaron in North Wales on Saturday night.  

Yellow warnings for rain are in place across much of the UK, as well as two ‘threat to life’ flood notices. An Amber warning for wind is also in place – meaning disruption to transport is likely in the south. 

In Cornwall, more than 100 homes were without electricity on Saturday night in the Plymouth and Truro area.  Around 50 houses also experienced black outs in Bristol and Bath due to the severe weather.  

Storm Bella caused flooding on Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland (pictured). Hundreds of people were left without power as winds hit 83mph and dozens of new flood warnings were put in place

Yellow warnings for rain are in place across much of the UK, as well as two ‘threat to life’ flood notices. An Amber warning for wind is also in place – meaning disruption to transport is likely in the south

Motorway road signs advising high winds, and extreme weather just outside Edinburgh in Scotland tonight

Flooding in St Ives in Cambridgeshire on Boxing Day after the River Great Ouse burst its banks. It comes as Storm Bella has battered Britain overnight

Aerial view of the town of Bedford, where 1300 homes along the River Ouse were ordered to evacuate following severe flooding on Christmas Day 

This is how that same area looked before the storms hit over Christmas. Very strong winds and heavy rain lashed the UK, particularly in parts of Wales and southern England

In Wales, 110 homes lost power in Cardiff and more than 50 were left without electricity in the Swansea area. Near Telford 150 experienced a black out as well as 116 homes near Nottingham in the east Midlands. 

The Met Office’s amber weather warning for parts of Wales and southern England says travel could be disrupted from Saturday night through to Sunday morning.

It also warned that flying debris could cause injury or be a risk to life, and buildings could be damaged in the storm. 

‘Danger to life’ severe flood warnings are currently in place at the Cogenhoe Mill Caravan Site and near the River Nene at Billing Aquadrome and nearby business parks.

Ferry operator DFDS said its services from Newhaven, East Sussex, to Dieppe, France, had been cancelled on Saturday evening and for all day on Sunday, because of the unsettled weather in the channel. 

On Sunday 25mm of rain is due to fall in parts of south-west England and Wales – and 60mm on high ground. 

It comes after people were forced to flee their homes on Christmas Day due to flooding after heavy rain over the weekend. 

Residents in 1,300 homes by the River Great Ouse in Bedfordshire were advised to move out following high water levels on Christmas Day.  

Bedford International Athletic Stadium was used as an emergency assistance centre for those who left their homes. Local fire chief Paul Fuller said families faced a ‘dreadful situation’ made worse by Covid restrictions. 

Further rain is expected in Bedfordshire on Sunday and Monday.

Bella follows relatively calm and cold conditions across the UK on Friday, which saw early morning snowfall recorded in some areas. 

Homes in Cirencester, Gloucestershire were also at risk of flooding due to heavy rain and council officials have been providing sandbags for those affected. 

In Ireland, Met Eireann issued a country-wide status yellow wind and rain warning, in force until 4am on Sunday. 

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