News

CHANNEL PORT CLOSED BY 80MPH WINDS

Heavy rain and strong winds overnight caused flash flooding, road closures and power cuts across the country.

Conditions are forecast to improve slightly but some areas will suffer again today after the battering from gales of up to 90mph in some parts of the British Isles last night.

High winds across the south east, saw firefighters clearing fallen trees throughout Kent and Sussex.

Meanwhile, a Dover Coastguard spokesman said: "The conditions are horrendous out at sea at the moment, and I have just clocked the wind speed at 80mph.

"We have vessels in the Channel but they are finding it very difficult to make progress, with most of them reduced to walking speed."

Cross-Channel ferries were delayed for four hours when the Port of Dover was shut while, and also in the county, drivers were unable to use the Dartford QE2 Bridge.

Winds of up to 70mph also saw the A20 near Dover closed in both directions, and caused a 20 ton lorry to blow over.