Fierce storms batter Britain leaving one man dead and transport chaos in their ... - Telegraph.co.uk

Airports in Glasgow and Edinburgh were partially closed, the train network severely disrupted and the emergency services stretched to the limit by falling trees and masonry.

A man had to be rescued after his dinghy was upturned in "appalling weather conditions" in Portsmouth Harbour, Hampshire.

The man was found suffering from hypothermia on a mud flat next to his upturned dinghy.

An HGV driver was thrown from his vehicle and trapped after it was blown over by a violent gust of wind in Dorchester, Dorset.

In Epsom the racecourse, where the world-famous Derby is held each June, had to be evacuated after part of the newly-built grandstand blew off in the fierce winds.

Insulation from the Duchess Stand, which was completed just two years ago at a cost of £38 million to hold more spectators, was blown across the racecourse and nearby golf course.

A family of five had to be taken to hospital in Scotland after their caravan was upturned by high winds.

Thousands of people throughout the country were left without power as the storms brought down power lines

Bridges and tunnels were also closed and the flood warnings issued across England, Scotland and Wales.

Many ferries, especially in the English Channel along the Hampshire coast and the Isle of Wight, faced delays and even cancellations.

Police advised motorists in Northern Ireland to take extra care and slow down.

A number of roads have been closed including in Belfast and Londonderry. The Foyle Bridge in Derry is closed.

The electricity network in Northern Ireland has been badly affected with about 10,000 homes currently without power.

In Scotland, more than 70,000 homes are without power.

There are also about 8,500 properties in parts of Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire without power.

Gemma Plumb, at the forecaster Meteogroup, said everywhere had seen strong winds.

"So far we've seen gusts across central and southern parts of Scotland of 85 to 97mph.

"That's an hourly figure, so there's a chance there may have been stronger gusts of more than 100mph."

Figures published by the Met Office reported wind speeds of 106mph at Great Dun Fell in the north Pennines and 102mph in Edinburgh.