DHAKA: Thousands of people have had to evacuate their homes as a severe storm batters large part of the UK.
The Environment Agency has more than 60 severe flood warnings in place.
England`s east coast is experiencing the worst tidal surge in 60 years, while in north Wales residents had to be rescued by lifeboat crews.
Earlier, a lorry driver died after his vehicle was blown on to two cars in West Lothian, while a man was killed by a falling tree in Nottinghamshire.
In addition to severe flood warnings - meaning there could be a danger to life - the agency has 120 flood warnings in England and Wales.
An agency spokesman said that in the "worst-case scenario" 6,000 properties could be flooded.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued more than a dozen flood warnings.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson - who chaired two of the government`s emergency Cobra meetings on Thursday - said the armed forces were on standby to help if necessary.
Essex Fire and Rescue Service said 10 rescue boats had been sent to Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, where the sea wall was breached in Hillman Avenue just before midnight. Firefighters were evacuating 2,500 homes.
In Lincolnshire, emergency planners said up to 18,000 homes in the Boston area could be affected by flooding.
Water breached the town`s sea defences, leading to the closure of several streets and the evacuation of vulnerable people.
In Great Yarmouth, on the Norfolk coast, police are visiting 9,000 properties to advise people to leave their homes ahead of a storm surge expected at high tide, at 22:45 GMT. Respite centres have been opened in high schools, and ill and elderly people have been asked to call the council for help. In addition, 20,000 sandbags have been distributed.
More than 1,000 sand bags have been handed out in Aldeburgh, Suffolk in preparation for the tidal surge. A minibus is collecting people in vulnerable areas and taking them to a rest centre.
Elsewhere, about 400 people were told to leave their homes in Rhyl, Denbighshire, while police say 300 people have been urged to find safety in Port Clarence, Middlesbrough.
Source: BBC
BDST: 1228 HRS, DEC 06, 2013
