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UK weather: Heavy rain sparks yellow Met Office warning after Storm Agnes brings floods, 79mph winds and travel chaos
HEAVY rain sparks a yellow Met Office warning after Storm Agnes brings floods, strong winds and travel chaose.
The first named storm of the season drummed up a high of 79mph winds in Capel Curig, a village in Wales, on Wednesday night.
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Agnes triggered a series of Met Office yellow weather warnings for wind and rain across the UK, with forecasts of damaging winds and big stormy seas.
The most recent warning has now been issued for south Wales.
A yellow alert for rain for is in place from 8pm tonight until 2am on Friday as 50mm of rainfall is predicted in just a few hours.
Grahame Madge, a spokesperson for the Met Office said: "There's a couple of areas of low pressure, one to the far north west of the UK that will bring some quite lively rainfall to parts of Scotland.
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"And another one out south west, which could well trigger concerns about the impacts of heavy rain in parts of South Wales."
The UK has experienced flooding, travel disruption and power outages - with a woman even having to be rescued from her car in Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland, after it was trapped by floodwater.
And the storm isn't over yet, with heavy clouds making it a dull and grey start to the day, while "outbreaks of rain" have sparked 26 flood alerts across the UK.
The south and east of England will have a drier start, predict the weather service, before "further heavy rain" arrives in the west.
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Around 135 properties on the Isles of Scilly, in the south-west of England, experienced power cuts for just under four hours yesterday, according to National Grid.
And in Ballypatrick Forest, Ireland, 44.6mm of rain fell on Wednesday.
But the Met Office said the main impact on the UK has been strong winds.
Winds were recorded reaching speeds of 68mph in Aberdaron, Wales, 58mph in Glenanne, Northern Ireland, and 54mph in Camborne, Cornwall.
Meteorologist Dan Stroud said things are today starting to ease but strong winds are now headed north.
He said: "It's an improving picture across England and Wales but there's still some very strong gusts actually further north across Northern Ireland and Scotland.
"But we're expecting the peak of the wind gusts in Storm Agnes to gradually ease during the overnight period."
In Co Derry, Northern Ireland, firefighters had to rescue a woman after her car became submerged in Storm Agnes flood waters.
The car was carried around 20 metres as the woman drove close to a rapidly rising river.
It comes after the RNLI warned people to avoid the coast during stormy conditions.
A spokesperson added: "The RNLI advises staying a safe distance away from the water and cliff edges as the conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea.
"It is not worth risking your life."
Transport disruption is also likely, with some roads and bridges likely to close.
Steve Basterfield, National Network Manager at National Highways, said on Wednesday: "With the stormy weather being forecast, it is important to plan ahead for your journey, and if weather conditions become challenging, adjust your driving behaviour and take extra care.
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"We have a section of our website dedicated to travelling amid storms, high winds and gales, and considerations for different types of vehicle, as part of our guide to travelling in severe weather.
"It's also a good idea for people to check their vehicles, such as tyres, coolant and oil levels, before heading out to reduce the risk of breakdowns."
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