Storm Katie wreaks havoc over UK during Easter weekend leaving travelling conditions hazardous

Storm Katie has wreaked havoc over Britain during the bank holiday weekend, causing flight delays and cancellations, road closures and has left around 100,000 homes without power. The high winds, which were measured at nearly 106 mph, made road conditions hazardous with several weather-related accidents reported, and warnings being issued for London and parts of south-eastern England while the heavy rain battered parts of northern England and Wales.

On Easter Monday, the Met Office issued an amber warning for winds hitting London and the south-east of England, while a yellow alert was issued for the east and south-western, and in south Wales. The Met Office has since forecast a warning of potential heavy flooding across south-western England and issued 136 flood alerts.

The M48 Severn Bridge that connects Gloucestershire to Wales, the A249 Sheppey Crossing in Kent, and the Dartford River Crossing are all shut amid high winds. Gatwick Airport said it had diverted 24 early-morning flights and cancelled 16 due to the weather.

Road conditions were hazardous with several weather-related accidents reported. Advising people to stay inside and eat chocolate, the Central Motorway Police Group, which patrols roads in the Midlands warned of "horrendous" conditions.

Storm Katie is the 11th storm to be named by the Met Office.