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A history lighthouse has become the latest victim of Storm Babet as 40ft-high waves batter the British coastline.
The South Shields lighthouse, an iconic local sight, has had its distinctive red and white dome knocked off by the storm surge. The storm has already taken two human victims and has seen a Met Office red warning extended until just before midnight tomorrow (Saturday, October 21).
Vicki Sinclair photographed the lighthouse found at the end of the River Tyne, before and after the waves smashed into the 128-year-old landmark. She said: “I'd take pictures of the waves crashing over it on Thursday when it still had the dome intact. I came down this morning to see what the waves were like again and I noticed the dome was missing.
READ MORE: Met Office issue new 'death risk' red warning for Storm Babet as it claims second life
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“The waves must have been so strong it was just ripped off. The Port of Tyne authority has been in touch with me to use the photographs to assess the damage. It's wild out there.”
Earlier today, it was announced that a new red warning would be brought in, covering a small area of eastern Scotland between Dundee and Aberdeen, including Montrose, Brechin and Laurencekirk.
Some people have been told they might not be able to return to their homes in time for Christmas following evacuations. Gavin Nicol, Conservative representative for the Brechin and Edzell Ward on Angus Council, said: "My thoughts go out to those affected. With this time of year, it’s coming up to Christmas, and some people might not even get back in their homes by then."
The Met Office said buildings are at risk of collapsing there. They also warned of a "danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater", and that there could be a "loss of power and other essential services in the area". Worryingly, communities in the area could be "completely cut off, perhaps for several days".
A spokesman said: "It is not safe to drive or walk or swim through floodwater, avoid it where possible and if you are affected by fast flowing or deep water call 999 and wait for help."
The rain has already claimed its first victim after a 57-year-old was pulled from a river in Angus, Police Scotland confirmed. She was pulled from the Water of Lee at Glen Esk around 4pm yesterday, with a second death being confirmed before midday today (October 20).
The second person, a 56-year-old driver, was hit by a falling tree in Forfar last night. He has not been named, but was pronounced dead at the scene.
Although only yellow and some amber warnings have been issued for the rest of the country, the storm is expected to head down the east of England before heading inland, with huge swathes of the country affected including Manchester, London, Portsmouth, Brighton and Norwich.
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- Met Office
- Christmas
- Weather Forecast
- UK Weather
- Scotland
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