Powerful Storm Disrupts U.K. Travel

Updated Oct. 28, 2013 4:23 a.m. ETLONDON—A storm with hurricane-force wind gusts lashed southern Britain, causing flooding and travel delays, including the cancellation of roughly 130 flights at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Express train services between central London and Gatwick and Stansted airports were suspended because of the storm, and the major English port of Dover was closed, leading to a cutoff in ferry service to France.

Cyclists look at a fallen tree in Islington in north London on Monday. Reuters

A fallen tree branch partially blocks a road in London on Monday. Associated Press

Some regional rail lines shut down Monday morning, and some roads were closed due to fallen trees and power lines.
Air travelers and commuters were advised to check conditions before starting any journeys. Widespread delays were expected as major London train lines delayed their opening because of the winds and tree hazards.
British Airways IAG.MC +0.78% International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. Spain: Madrid €4.13 +0.03 +0.78% Oct. 28, 2013 10:09 am Volume : 396,695 P/E Ratio N/A Market Cap €8.35 Billion Dividend Yield N/A Rev. per Employee €307,047 10/02/13 JAL, Partners Take Hit at Hane… 09/30/13 Haneda Fight Takes Global Turn 08/02/13 Cost Cuts Lift EU Airlines More quote details and news » IAG.MC in Your Value Your Change Short position said its long-haul flights were expected to operate normally but domestic and European flights were operating on a reduced schedule with some cancellations expected throughout the day. It said Gatwick and City airport operations should not be affected.
Weather forecasters said the storm was one of the worst to hit Britain in years.
Flood alerts have been issued in many parts of southern England and officials said hundreds of trees had been knocked down by wind gusts.
Winds of 99 miles an hour were reported off the Isle of Wight in southern England.
A teenage boy is feared to have died after being swept to sea while playing in the surf off the coast of East Sussex.
Forecasters said the heavy winds should subside by midmorning.
On Sunday, Prime Minister David Cameron told government agencies to ensure that contingency plans were in place for transportation, schools and power supplies during the storm.
A regular National Football League game in London between the San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Sunday evening went on as planned, but elsewhere, contingency planning and cancellations were put into effect.
Heathrow Airport canceled at least 60 flights ahead of the storm’s arrival in full force. Rail networks canceled many trains pre-emptively up through Monday morning, citing the high risk of trees and other debris expected to fall on train lines.
Eurostar said it would not be able to run any cross-Channel rail services until 7 a.m. Monday to allow for train lines to be inspected.
—Copyright 2013 Associated Press

More: Powerful Storm Disrupts U.K. Travel