LONDON -- Britain and Northern Ireland have had a week of biblical weather as severe storms moved in from the west.
A man disappeared after being swept out to sea, railway lines were closed and a section of the M25 collapsed during several days of fierce weather. The Environment Agency has issued 20 flood alerts as winds of almost 100mph were recorded on the southern coast of England.
The Met Office warned of inclement weather earlier in the week, posting a dual severe weather warning for the first time and tweeting numerous warnings.
Here's an overview of how it hit some regions:
Devon: Man lost at sea
Coastguard officials were contacted Thursday night after a member of the public reported seeing an elderly man hit by large waves crashing over the sea wall in Torquay, before disappearing from sight. The search was called off on Thursday as "weather conditions described as poor, with 1 ½ metre swell and a strong onshore wind."
London: M25 collapses
Sections of the M25, the infamous motorway that encircles the capital, which is the busiest in Europe, collapsed Friday during the morning rush hour.
Picture: Big problems on M25 this morning after road surface collapses. Avoid, avoid, avoid!! http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2014-11-14/pictures-of-m25-road-surface-collapse/ … — Adam Clark (@adamclarkitv) November 14, 2014
Cornwall: Iconic railway line at Dawlish closes
The station at Dawlish was closed for an hour as hurricane-strength winds battered the tracks by the sea. The sea wall and tracks were only rebuilt earlier this year at a cost of £35 million.
Northern Ireland: Days of flooding disrupt numerous towns and cities
Several homes and businesses were flooded across Northern Ireland with the worst flooding in counties Armagh and Down. A number of places in Newry were evacuated, with a sports centre commandeered as a rescue centre, meanwhile police officers had to wade through water to pick up a bride's wedding dress.
It's lashing it down again as rain moves north. The latest rain picture: — Barra Best (@barrabest) November 14, 2014
A great flooding photo taken in Newry. “@newraypics: @barrabest Lone Gentleman helps a newry Lady to dry land ” — Barra Best (@barrabest) November 13, 2014
Flooded railway lines between Drogheda and Dunleer today. Photo by @32Milepost — Barra Best (@barrabest) November 13, 2014
Bridge St and Buttercrane carpark #niflooding #Newry pics via Joanne Crossey — Linda Ruddy (@LindaRuddy) November 14, 2014
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Post by Newry Times.
Somerset Levels: Nervous residents watch water levels rise
Rivers are rising and some fields are waterlogged in an area that experienced devastating floods in February. A £6 million project saw 800 metres of river banks widened in an effort to prevent further flooding. A photo exhibition on the previous floods is opening in Bath in December.
Somerset Floods Exhibition Returns For Workshop http://nowb.at/1oUHjNR (via @NOWBathNews) — Now Bath (@NOWBath) November 14, 2014
More wind and rain are expected across the UK over the next few days and the unsettled conditions are set to persist throughout November.