Strong 90mph gusts are expected to continue battering parts of Britain today – with danger-to-life warnings still in place for hours to come.
Striking photos show the destruction already unleashed by Storm Bram with waves crashing against roadsides and drivers pulled to safety from sinking cars.
Torrential downpours have caused travel chaos including the cancellation of a number of flights and ferries, with the disruption expected to last – as yellow warnings remain in place.
The Met Office has also predicted further delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport today as well as restrictions on ‘high-sided vehicles’ on exposed routes and bridges.
A spokesman warned some coastal fronts and communities would continue to be affected by spray and large waves.
An amber wind warning remained in place in northwest Scotland until 3am, with warnings of 90mph winds.
The entirety of the rest of the country has been issued yellow warnings into tonight.
Forecasters warned there was a danger to life, chances of more travel chaos, and that electricity could be cut in the gale-force winds.
Vehicles drive along a flooded coastal road in Carnlough, Northern Ireland, as commuters face a nightmare journey home
Waves crash against the sea wall in Northern Ireland as Storm Bram brings high winds to the UK
Weather warnings remained over Scotland this morning – with the yellow warnings in place into the night
Waves whipped up by the strong winds hit the sea wall in Carnlough as the storm continues to hit the coast
A driver was pulled from her submerged Ford Focus car after it was swept 40 yards downstream from a flooded ford at Moyles Court near Ringwood in Hampshire
Waves batter the coastline at Dawlish in Devon on Tuesday morning as Storm Bram hits the UK
Vehicles in floodwater on A5052 at Colyford in Devon after the River Axe burst its banks
Rough seas at Bournemouth beach as the Dorset coast is hit by Storm Bram
Weir Caravan Park in Stamford Bridge near York after the River Derwent burst its banks
A pedestrian’s umbrella is blown inside out on Waterloo Bridge in London
A bus driver attempts to make his way through flooding at Seaton in Cornwall
Flooding in York after the Met Office issued a series of ‘danger to life’ weather warnings
The Met Office warned Storm Bram ‘will continue to bring disruption for some’.
Forecasters said Wednesday would remain ‘very windy across the north of the UK, with severe gales in the northwest’.
They continued: ‘Further spells of heavy rain are expected across Scotland. Mostly dry elsewhere with clear spells, but still rather windy. Some showers in the west later.’
It comes as a raft of amber and yellow warnings were issued yesterday for rain and wind across the UK, while environment agencies imposed 325 flood alerts or warnings.
Northern Scotland has been particularly badly hit with Network Rail saying a number of train services in the region have been suspended.
And across the Irish Sea, some 25,000 homes, farms and businesses in the Republic were left without electricity, along with thousands more houses disconnected in the north.
National Grid said 3,000 properties across England and Wales were without power yesterday – including 1,200 in the West Midlands and 600 in the South West.
The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge in Gloucestershire was closed overnight until 6am today due to emergency roadworks to allow for the removal of 35 faulty lighting columns at risk of collapse.
And the A66 in County Durham was shut in both directions to high-sided vehicles between the A1M (Scotch Corner) and the M6 (Penrith) due to strong winds, as was the A19 Tees Flyover between the A66 and the A1046.
Network Rail Scotland said routes closed by Storm Bram including Fort William to Mallaig, and Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh needed to be inspected at first light for damage and debris before reopening.
Speed restrictions have also been enforced in parts of the UK, with some areas limiting traffic to cars and single-decker buses only.
Part of the M66 in Greater Manchester was shut southbound yesterday following flooding and a multi-vehicle crash while the M48 Severn Bridge also closed for a period.
In Hampshire, a motorist was dramatically pulled from her submerged car after it was swept 40 yards downstream from a flooded ford at Moyles Court near Ringwood.
The woman entered the crossing but as she tried to reverse out, the water dragged her blue Ford Focus downstream. A member of the public realised the danger and helped her get out, before the vehicle came to rest further along at an angle.
And yesterday the A74 closed at Junction 11 southbound and Junction 13 northbound due to overturned vehicles near Abington.
Meanwhile a resident in Cornwall complained he would be made homeless due to his house flooding.
It comes as more than four people were rescued from stranded vehicles yesterday amid floods in south west England.
The Environment Agency activated 38 flood warnings and 163 alerts for England, while Natural Resources Wales imposed 16 warnings and 61 alerts. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency had 32 warnings and 15 alerts in place.
In Ireland, where the storm was named by forecasting agency Met Éireann, 91 flights were cancelled at Dublin Airport.
The track of the storm meant forecasters put in place rolling orange wind warnings for different regions.
Keith Leonard, head of Ireland’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, said: ‘The conditions associated with orange-level wind warnings can be very dangerous.
‘Potential impacts include the possibility of structural damage, fallen trees and flying debris – presenting a risk to both life and property.
‘Driving can be particularly hazardous in these conditions, so I’m asking all drivers to anticipate strong cross-winds and other hazards such as falling or fallen trees.
‘High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds – so please slow down and give extra space to pedestrians and cyclists.
‘I’d also ask the organisers of events and activities to consider the wind warnings that are in place and monitor the local conditions – unfortunately the cancellation of events may be necessary in some locations.’
ESB Networks confirmed that at 4pm yesterday approximately 54,000 properties in the Republic were without power, but the number had been reduced to 25,000 by 8pm.
Network Rail warned of UK-wide disruption, with Avanti West Coast operating a reduced timetable north of Preston due to speed restrictions. Flooding between Bangor and Holyhead in Wales also meant trains were running at reduced speed.
Great Western Railway said flooding between Par and Newquay meant the line was closed. Elsewhere, an amended train service was imposed between Swindon and Bristol Parkway ‘in anticipation of flooding on the line’ at Chipping Sodbury.
Flooding between Totnes and Plymouth in Devon mean further lines were closed.
ScotRail reported disruption on eight lines due to the weather – Glasgow Central and Carlisle; Kilmarnock / Ayr and Stranraer; Kilmarnock and Girvan; Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock; Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness; Inverness and Edinburgh / Glasgow Queen Street; Wick and Inverness; and Inverness and Aberdeen.
Waves crash against Porthcawl breakwater and lighthouse at high tide in South Wales
The M48 Severn Bridge was closed in both directions due to strong winds on Tuesday
A person wearing a poncho during strong winds and heavy rain in Birmingham
Waves batter the coastline at Dawlish in Devon this morning as Storm Bram hits the UK
Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: ‘Storm Bram is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain, which could disrupt the railway.
‘Our top priority is keeping passengers and staff safe, and we’re already working hard behind the scenes to prepare.’
ScotRail advised passengers to check their journey before travelling.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: ‘Speed restrictions will be in place across parts of the network, and while this may mean some journeys take a little longer, these steps are essential to keeping everyone safe. We’ll have staff working around the clock to support Network Rail’s efforts and to keep people moving where it’s safe to do so.’
Meanwhile Transport for Wales said services were affected between Aberdare and Abercynon; North Llanrwst and Blaenau Ffestiniog; Radyr and Cardiff Central; Bangor and Holyhead; Machynlleth and Aberystwyth; Ystrad Rhondda and Tonypandy; as well as through Llanaber and through Pantyffynnon.
In York, photographs showed the riverside streets adjacent to the Ouse flooding due to heavy rainfall.
In a post yesterday on social media at noon, Dublin Airport said: ‘Storm Bram is impacting on flights at Dublin Airport today. As of 12pm, a total of 73 flights have been cancelled by airlines, including 36 inbound and 37 outbound.
‘Further disruption is possible later today as wind speeds are expected to increase. As always, passengers due to fly today should contact their airline directly for updates regarding the status of their flight.’
Part of the M66 in Greater Manchester was shut southbound following flooding and a multi-vehicle crash.
National Highways said that as a result of the collision there is ‘also significant central reservation barrier damage’.
‘Traffic Officers and area teams are on scene working to clear the flood water,’ a spokesman said. ‘The barrier damage will be assessed and repaired once the flood water has cleared.’
The closure was in place between Edenfield (A56) and Walmersley (J1), with those travelling told divert their route or delay their trip.
Meanwhile, the M48 Severn Bridge in South Gloucestershire was later opened in both directions between J1 and J2 after being closed due to strong winds associated with Storm Bram.
The Met Office warned gusts of 70 to 80mph were expected, with some places potentially experiencing gusts of up to 90mph.
Flooding in York after forecasters said some homes and businesses could be deluged
A vehicle is driven through floodwater on a country lane in Dunsden, Oxfordshire
A person struggles to hold onto their umbrella during strong winds in Birmingham
Racehorses on the gallops near to Beckhampton in Wiltshire in the rain this morning
A woman walks her dog beneath dark skies on the beach at New Brighton in Merseyside
Flooding in York after the Met Office issued a series of ‘danger to life’ weather warnings
Larry the cat shelters from the rain under the Christmas tree at Downing Street on Tuesday
Heavy rain will accompany the strong winds and may exacerbate problems, it added.
In Devon, an amber rain warning was issued – with a few exposed locations likely to experience around 100mm (4in) of rain in around nine hours.
There is a ‘good chance’ some communities will be cut off by flooded roads while homes and businesses are also likely to be flooded, the Met Office said.
An amber rain warning was issued for Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales, with fast-flowing or deep floodwater likely and causing ‘danger to life’.
The Met Office put in place an amber wind warning for North West Scotland, with a spell of ‘very strong and disruptive winds’ expected into today.
‘There is potential for large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties,’ it warned.
Roads, bridges and railway lines could also close in the region, with the potential for roofs to be blown off and power lines brought down, and flying debris potentially resulting in a danger to life.
Areas affected by flood warnings included the Bristol Avon from Chippenham to Melksham in Wiltshire, Plymouth Sound in Devon, the River Derwent at Stamford Bridge in York, and West Bay East Beach in Dorset.
Seafront properties in Newlyn, Penzance, Longrock and Marazion in Cornwall were at risk of flooding due to spray and waves overtopping.
In Llandysul, Ceredigion, low-lying land and roads experienced flooding, while the River Tawe at Ynystanglws in Swansea was ‘at its peak, or very close to it’, Natural Resources Wales said.
In Scotland, flooding was expected in parts of Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, Dumfries and Galloway, Orkney, West Central Scotland and the Western Isles.
Several Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services on Scotland’s west coast were cancelled due to the weather while others are facing disruption.
The company said: ‘The Met Office has advised Storm Bram will bring adverse weather conditions during Tuesday 9 December into Wednesday 10 December.
‘Check service status and read our advice and information before you travel.’
The Transport Scotland Resilience Room and the Multi-Agency Response Team are monitoring conditions, as is the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR).
Scotland’s Transport Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: ‘Storm Bram will be the second named storm of the season, bringing challenging weather conditions and a period of disruption to the transport network.
‘The Met Office warnings show high winds will impact the whole country, particularly in parts of the North West and Western Isles covered by the amber warning, so it’s vital people plan ahead if they have to travel.’
Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, head of road policing at Police Scotland, said: ‘I would encourage people to drive to the conditions and plan ahead.
‘Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.
‘In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.’
Meanwhile general school closure notices due to Storm Bram are not currently planned by Northern Ireland’s Education Authority.
In a statement yesterday , it said school leaders were instead asked to monitor and assess the weather warnings in their areas and take local decisions ‘if necessary’.
It said schools situated in or close to the amber warning affecting parts of Antrim, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone from 2pm should be mindful of the risks of high winds, power outages, damage to buildings, and significant disruption to transport services.
In the Republic of Ireland, after a week of persistent rain, Met Éireann said soils across the country were already highly saturated and many rivers were approaching bank-full conditions, so any additional rainfall was likely to result in surface and river flooding.
ESB Networks confirmed that the tens of thousands of properties without power were predominantly in counties Cork, Tipperary, Wexford, Limerick and Kildare.