Storm Dennis has caused widespread travel disruption up and down the country as high winds and heavy rainfall sweep the nation.
Amber weather warnings are place from noon today until 3pm tomorrow across Dartmoor and south Devon, most of Wales, the Pennines and large swathes of Yorkshire.
No fewer than 40,000 passengers have been affected by travel disruption so far as budget airline easyJet cancels 234 flights.
Another 60 will not take off tomorrow – affecting a further 10,000 people – as the storm brings 70mph winds and 100mm of rainfall to some areas.
Storm Dennis has caused widespread travel disruption up and down the country as high winds and heavy rainfall sweep the nation. Pictured: Waves crash onto the seafront and soak a passing train at Dawlish, in Devon, on Saturday
A huge line of lorries queuing to get into the port of Dover stretched back for miles on the A20
P&O Ferries confirmed they were ‘expecting delays to continue throughout the day due to technical issues and forecasted weather’. Pictured: A ferry ploughs through stormy seas as it leaves Calais
British Airways has cancelled around 20 to 30 flights due to the storm.
Frustrated travellers took to Twitter to vent their anger at their ruined half term plans.
Danny Gearing wrote: ‘Supposed to be flying out for weeks skiing tomorrow. Got a text message from easyJet to say flight cancelled.
‘No apology or explanation. Disgusting service.’
Peppard added: ‘easyJet your customer service or the lack of it is appalling. We are stuck in Spain with no updates or information from you.’
British Airways has cancelled around 20 to 30 flights due to the storm. A departures board at Luton Airport shows the vast amount of flights cancelled. At least 40,000 passengers have been affected by travel disruption so far
Severe delays were also seen on roads leading to the Port of Dover. A huge line of lorries stretched back for miles
Passengers were forced to disembark trains at Peterborough as Storm Dennis caused disruptions to train services
No fewer than 40,000 passengers have been affected by travel disruption so far as budget airline easyJet cancels 234 flights today. Pictured: Stock image of an easyJet plane
David Oliver wrote: ‘Just to let you know that the comment about doing everything they can to help travellers affected by Storm Dennis is utter rubbish.
‘We had one email from them cancelling flight, then nothing.
‘My wife was on hold to their call centre for 3 1/2 hours last night before we gave up. The website is no use whatsoever and there is no where near enough capacity to cope.
‘At the moment it also looks like every other airline at Bristol is operating their flights! Flights to Fuerteventura only operate once a week so Half Term ruined!’
British Airways has cancelled around 20 to 30 flights due to the storm, adding to easyJet’s 234. Frustrated travellers took to Twitter to vent their anger at their ruined half term plans
Severe delays were also seen on roads leading to the Port of Dover.
A huge line of lorries stretched back for miles as P&O Ferries confirmed they were ‘expecting delays to continue throughout the day due to technical issues and forecasted weather.’
A spokesman for British Airways said: ‘The majority of our flights are planned to operate as planned, but, like all airlines flying to and from the UK today, we are experiencing some disruption due to the stormy weather conditions.
‘We are merging a small number of Heathrow short-haul flights to the same destination and using larger aircraft where possible to minimise disruption.
‘Customers can check ba.com for the latest flight information.’
A spokeswoman for easyJet, which has confirmed 234 cancellations, said: ‘Due to forecasted adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Dennis, easyJet, like other airlines, is currently seeing disruption to its flight programme for Saturday February 15th.
‘We are doing everything possible to minimise the impact of the disruption for our customers and to arrange alternative travel.
‘Customers on cancelled flights have been given the option of transferring their flight free of charge or receiving a refund. We will also provide hotel rooms and meals for customers who require them.
‘We recommend customers travelling to and from UK today, February 15th, to check the status of their flight and gate information on easyJet’s Flight Tracker for latest travel updates.
‘Whilst this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to passengers for any inconvenience experienced as a result of the weather.
‘The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority.’
While Iceland will feel the brunt of the bad weather- that could potentially be one of the worst North Atlantic storms on record – the UK will be lashed by high winds and intense rainfall.
Meteorologist Tony Zartman told Accuweather: ‘The highest rainfall totals will likely concentrate across Scotland, Wales, Denmark and Norway, which is typical with a windstorm taking this track.’
Rail travel is also set to be disrupted as lines including East Midlands Railway, Gatwick Express, Grand Central, Great Northern, Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, Heathrow Express and Hull Trains all affected.