Storm Franklin news - live: Homes evacuated and people warned not to travel as flooding and 75mph winds hit UK

Homes have been evacuated and people have been warned not to travel as Storm Franklin hits the UK with 75mph winds.

It’s the third storm to strike in four days, causing more damage and disruption.

There has been severe flooding in Northern Ireland, and people in Manchester and Yorkshire have had too flee their homes. In Llandinam, Wales, seven people have been rescued by boat after their houses were inundated.

National Rail is advising travellers to check their routes before setting off, while Southeastern railway and CrossCountry trains are “strongly” advising against travel.

Storm Franklin comes hot on the heels of Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice, which killed three people in the UK and left 1.4 million homes without power.

Tens of thousands are still without electricity – and it’s estimated Storm Eunice caused around £300,000 worth of damage.

A yellow weather warning is in place across much of England, southwest Scotland and Northern Ireland until 1pm today – and the bad weather looks set to continue this week.

Key Points

• Storm Franklin makes landfall, hundreds evacuate homes

• Britons warned to brace for strengthening winds and lashing rain

• Train operators asks commuters to avoid travel

• Train services affected on Southern line

• Thameslink alters train routes

Lorry bursts into flames amid high winds

08:34 , Laurie Churchman

A lorry has crashed and burst into flames amid high winds on the M6.

A post on the Lancs Road Police Twitter account said: “High winds caused this HGV to hit a bridge and burst into flames on M6.

“Driver luckily escaped from cab with help from other motorists and is being assessed at hospital.

“Long delays both N+S between J27/28.”

Firefighters rescue drivers stranded amid floods

08:12 , Laurie Churchman

Firefighters have rescued drivers stranded amid flooding in Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue reported saving a number of people from cars on the A61 at Harewood Bridge, with more reports of roads left impassable due to flash flooding across the region.

Northern Ireland amber warning ends

07:47 , Laurie Churchman

The amber warning for wind in Northern Ireland has come to end – but a yellow warning remains in place across much of England, southwest Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It will be in place until 1pm today.

The Met Office is still warning of very strong winds and disruption.

Storm Franklin: Passengers told to ‘avoid travel’ by train

07:22 , Laurie Churchman

Train operators have warned people to avoid travel if possible today amid gale-force winds and lashing rain.

National Rail has warned of “major disruption” to routes across most of Britain – including cancellations and delays.

You can read the full story below.

Passengers told to ‘avoid travel’ by train on Monday as storms paralyse networks

Met office says strong winds easing, becoming drier today

06:48 , Arpan Rai

In the latest weather forecast for Monday, the Met office has said the storm situation is likely to improve today.

“Showers or longer spells of rain and hill snow dying away through this morning becoming largely dry this afternoon with sunny spells. Strong and gusty winds affecting Northern Ireland, England and Wales easing this afternoon,” the officials said today.

They added that “cloud and outbreaks of rain and drizzle arriving in the west moving east to all areas by dawn”.

A band of heavy, perhaps squally rain reaching the northwest later, the forecast read.

Storm Franklin: River banks swell and burst in parts of UK

06:25 , Arpan Rai

Banks along South Yorkshire's River Don reportedly burst in Sprotbrough on Sunday, sending many outside the safety of their homes.

“We ask people to remain away from the area of Sprotbrough Falls and Sprotbrough Lock in Doncaster, after the River Don burst its banks in this location earlier this evening,” the South Yorkshire police said on Sunday evening.

They added that many of the footpaths in the area are presently underwater.

"The water is fast flowing and poses a risk to people attempting to wade through it,” police said, reported Sky news.

People have been asked to stay away from the area at this time for their own safety, officials added.

Operators of Rotherham Central railway station in South Yorkshire have shut down the services till at least Tuesday after it was severely flooded due to consecutive storms.

At least 25 flood alerts and warnings, non severe, have been issued by The Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Of these, seven identified areas have been marked under flood alerts, and others remain under flood warnings.

Wales and Scotland have not received any severe flood warnings.

Latest warning on storms in the UK: ‘Injuries and danger to life'

05:57 , Arpan Rai

The Met office on Monday issued yellow warning for Manchester, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Oxford, Bath, Birmingham, Peterborough, Norwich and Stoke-on-Trent, Newry, and Wigtown among other places.

The latest warning on the weather department’s says strong winds are expected on Monday with possible disruption.

Officials from the Met department added that some roads and bridges may be shut, buildings are likely to experience damage such as tiles being blown from roofs, and tress and branches may come down.

“Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage,” they said.

“Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, the warning added.

Storm Franklin paralyses train networks

05:36 , Arpan Rai

The National Rail on Monday said multiple train operating companies will be affected as Storm Franklin brought parts of the country — already affected by two storms in the last week — to a grinding halt.Here are the companies affected by the storm:

• Avanti West Coast

• c2c

• Caledonian Sleeper

• Chiltern Railway

• CrossCountry

• East Midlands Railway

• Great Northern

• Great Western Railway

• Greater Anglia

• Heathrow Express

• London Northwestern Railway

• LNER

• Northern

• ScotRail

• Southeastern

• Southern

• South Western Railway

• Stansted Express

• Thameslink

• TransPennine Express

• Transport for Wales

• West Midlands Railway

Southeastern railway asks people to not travel, cancels most routes

05:10 , Arpan Rai

Storm Franklin has effectively rendered major trains services out of operation on Monday, forcing many to divert or cancel routes.

Southeastern railway confirmed that most routes on its line have been cancelled.

“A speed restriction will be in place as a safety precaution at least 4pm today, Monday 21 February, due to increased risk of fallen trees and debris,” officials said.

“There’s a reduced timetable in operation today due to Storm Franklin,” the railway posted on Twitter.

“Our advice is do not travel, if lines have to close, alternative transport will not be available,” they said.

Recap: Britons warned to brace for strengthening winds and lashing rain

04:56 , Arpan Rai

With Storm Frankin moving in overnight, Britons have been asked to prepare for strengthening winds.

An amber warning for wind has been issued which could cause a “risk to life” in Northern Ireland until 7am and a milder yellow wind warning ocovers England, Wales and south-western Scotland from midday until 1pm.

Hundred of alerts for flooding have been issued for across the UK, including two rare “severe” warnings where rainfall could also pose a “danger to life” for communities along the River Mersey in Greater Manchester.

The weekend witnessed strong wave crashing onto coastal areas as storms destroyed homes, forcing many to take shelter at safer places.

Officials from emergency services deployed flood defences as riverbanks swelled up on Sunday.

Laura Parnaby has the full report here.

Thameslink alters train routes as Storm Franklin makes landfall

04:39 , Arpan Rai

Officials from Thameslink train services on Monday altered key routes as Storm Franklin — third strong weather disturbance in a week — pummelled parts of the UK.

“Until further notice, services between Luton - Sutton and direct services between Cambridge - Three Bridges are suspended,” officials said on Monday.

Routes on Great Northern have also been affected as officials said services between Cambridge/Ely – Kings Cross will not run.

“An hourly train shuttle will run between Cambridge – Kings Lynn,” they said.

“We are recommending that you do not travel on the Southern network and Thameslink south of London on Monday,” officials said in the latest warning, asking commuters to check the latest service updates before taking necessary journeys and travelling.

Officials issue diverted routes as train services affected on Southern line

04:38 , Arpan Rai

Southern railway has said it will operate on a reduced service today as it prepares for Storm Franklin as well as recovers from “disruptive incidents” caused by Storm Eunice.

Officials said services between London and Portsmouth/ Southampton will divert after Barnham to Bognor Regis and restart from there.

Additionally, services between Littlehampton – Portsmouth and Southsea will run between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis.

The railway officials said they are working alongside to reopen all lines as quickly and safely as possible.

No trains will be running between today between Redhill - Tonbridge and trains won’t call at Battersea Park in the direction of Sutton / West Croydon, officials said in an update.

Services have been halted as there are trees on the line between Tulse Hill - Streatham, they said.

“Services due to run between Caterham and London Bridge will be diverted after East Croydon to London Bridge via Forest Hill calling at all stations,” officials said.

Commuter have been asked to keep extra time for travel by the officials, who said a late notice changes to service can be expected as the yellow weather warning remains in place.

Train operators asks commuters to avoid travel as Storm Franklin picks up pace

04:29 , Arpan Rai

Public transport in parts of the UK has taken a hit as Storm Franklin picked up pace overnight.

Passengers have been asked to “avoid travel if possible” by train operators on Monday as services are likely to slow down due to fast moving winds and heavy downpour.

People making essential journey should expect “major disruption” to routes “across most of Great Britain” including cancellations, delays and slower speeds onboard, warned National Rail.

TransPennine Express (TPE) has asked its daily users to “avoid travel if possible”, especially those wanting to travel to north of Preston in LAncashite before 10am.

“Those attending major events, including the Leeds United vs Manchester United match, should seek alternative transport where possible,” the transit system said in a statement on its website.

South of the country is expected to be particularly hard-hit by the strong storms during the morning rush hour.

Follow The Independent’s coverage on Storm Franklin here

Storm Franklin | The Independent

Storm Franklin makes landfall, hundreds to evacuate homes

03:47 , Arpan Rai

Hundreds are bracing for tough conditions after Storm Franklin made landfall and hit parts of the UK, forcing many out of their homes.

Affected areas like Yorkshire and Manchester saw many residents leaving their homes for safety on Sunday as people feared overflowing rivers due to excessive rain.

At least two severe flood warnings were issued in Didsbury and Northenden in Greater Manchester by the Environment Agency, underlining that there is a risk of “danger to life”.

Storm Franklin is the third storm to hit the country in less than a week, ravaging the nation overnight to Monday.

It comes just days after Storm Eunice left at least four people dead in the UK and Ireland.

The week of storms has also left 1.4 million homes without power, out of which 55,800 are yet to be reconnected.

My colleagues Lamiat Sabin and Chiara Giordano have the full story here

Welcome to The Independent’s live blog on the UK weather for Monday, 21 February.

03:22 , Arpan Rai