EUROSTAR trains have been axed this morning due to flooding as Brits are set to be battered with heavy rain, snow and gusts of up to 75mph.
The Met Office has issued seven yellow weather warnings covering much of the UK today, as Eurostar and Southeastern service cancellations spark holiday travel chaos.
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Services were cancelled today following disruption in tunnels near Ebbsfleet International.
Southeastern Railway dashed travellers’ plans after announcing no trains will run between Ebbsfleet and London St Pancras International until around midday.
Meanwhile, Eurostar has cancelled all services to and from St Pancras until at least 9.12am
Simon Calder, travel editor for The Independent, told Sky News from London St Pancras that staff had been working through the night to resolve the delays.
Their efforts proved unsuccessful and the decision to stop services was made at around 4am.
“As a result, we have seen at least 20 Eurostar trains cancelled to and from Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels,” he said.
“That means, unfortunately, it’s around about 16,000 people who have been told they are not going anywhere, and they will not be able to get on a train in standard class for the rest of the day.”
In response Brits have been forking out hundreds as they scramble to book last minute plane tickets, while others wait for lengthy bus journeys.
“A family heading to Disney told me they were going home to get the car to drive and get either the Euro tunnel or a ferry across the Channel,” added Simon.
It comes as ten million are expected to hit the roads today as revellers prepare for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Stormy conditions have sparked gridlock warnings for the M1, M25 and M4-M5 interchange in Bristol.
And, fierce winds in the South, East Anglia and Wales could also cause mayhem for flights and ferries.
Meanwhile, a total of 32 flood warnings have been issued by the Environment Agency covering parts of the River Ouse and the River Severn.
A further 97 flood alerts, where flooding is possible, have also been put in place.
A yellow weather warning for wind is in place from 11am today until 3am tomorrow which covers the entire south coast, reaching as far up as Norwich in the east and most of Wales.
The Met Office stated: “A spell of strong and gusty winds will move east across England and Wales, bringing some disruption to travel and services.”
There could be “gusts of 45-50 mph widely” but the strongest gales are “likely near coasts in the west and south, with 65-75 mph in places”, the warning added.
Those affected can expect likely “delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport” while coastal routes and areas could be lashed by “spray and/or large waves”.
Anyone travelling on public transport has been warned of likely delays and those in high-sided vehicles have been urged to be careful on exposed routs and bridges.
There is also a possibility of power cuts and service shortages amid the stormy conditions.
Met Office Meteorologist Alex Burkill said in a forecast video: “In the south it is going to be relatively mild with highs of around 11C or 12C but with the wind, the rain and the cloud it will be feeling feel pretty unpleasant at times and colder further north, with temperatures here suppressed into mid-single figures.
“Later on Saturday we are going to see the rain and the snow across Scotland, or at least the worst of it, clearing away towards the north east and also that band of rain further south pushing eastwards across parts of England could still be pretty heavy at times – so watch out for that.”
In Wales, there’s a further yellow weather warning for rain in force from 10am this morning until 6pm.
“Heavy rain may lead to some flooding and transport disruption,” stated the Met Office.
The forecast predicts “possible” flooding of a few homes and businesses, as well as more travel chaos and loss of power.
Meanwhile, in the south of Scotland meteorologists have issued a yellow warning for rain and snow.
It is active from 8am until 3pm this afternoon, with “a period of sleet and snow, turning to rain” leading to disruption on the roads and possible flooding.
A further alert for rain and snow from 8am until midnight covers the majority of Scotland as up to 25mm of rain is predicted to fall at lower levels.
Moving further north, another yellow weather warning for ice is in place across the north and north west of Scotland until 10am today.
It is expected temperatures could plummet to -9C degrees in certain areas.
Met Office meteorologist Alex added northern areas are likely to see “significant snow”, with possibly 10 to 20cm on the highest ground.
He explained: “As that rain hits the cold air across Scotland, I am expecting some significant snow, particularly over higher ground we could see in excess of 10cm of snow lying and, even to lower levels, some slushy snow is possible.
“This could cause some problems particularly on the roads.
“Elsewhere it is the rain and the strong winds we need to watch out for.
“Heavy rain across parts of Wales and strong gales likely around southern, south-western coastal parts in particular – so a pretty unsettled day.”
Northern Ireland is also set to be lashed with heavy rain this morning, as a yellow weather warning was put in place from 4am until 11am.
Travel disruption and longer journey times are to be expected, warned the Met Office.
On Sunday, stormy conditions will continue in the far northeast of Scotland however the yellow weather warnings are lifted.
“Blustery showers” are forecast across much of the UK, while temperatures expected to be “nearer to normal”.
Next week, the Met Office predicts more “unsettled” weather.
“Remaining unsettled and often windy into the New Year with showers or longer spells of rain. Generally mild in the south, but temperatures around average elsewhere with overnight frosts,” the long range forecast states.
This comes as Storm Gerrit saw thousands of Brits’ holiday plans squashed earlier this week.
Heavy rain sparked a major incident on the A9 in the Scottish Highlands as emergency services battled “severe conditions”.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Meanwhile at least eighteen British Airways flights due in and out of Heathrow were axed as 70mph winds, heavy rain and snow hit the UK.
And, motorists were warned of potentially hazardous conditions on their way home from Christmas festivities amid bridge and road closures due to fierce winds.
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