England has battened down the hatches and bolted up the windows, as a massive rainstorm with hurricane-like winds on Monday grounded flights, halted train service and ripped up trees in communities across the country.
At least is one — a teenage boy — is feared dead, swept out to sea in Newhaven, East Sussex, on Sunday, authorities reported in The Daily Mail.
The storm was still sweeping on Monday, and at least 140,000 were without power. Commuters were warned to stay home: At least 40 train lines were stopped and an untold number of roads closed or blocked by trees. Meanwhile, hundreds of airline flights were cancelled, The Daily Mail reported.
This is shaping to be the worst storm in years, weather watchers said. Flash flooding is commonplace, and the Environment Agency reported the issuance of 19 flood warnings and 147 flood alerts.
Several properties have been damaged by downed trees, while winds in spots hit up to 99 miles per hour.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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