Britain endured a day of fiercely stormy weather on Wednesday, exacerbating the suffering of those already affected by widespread flooding. On "Wild Wednesday," as it was dubbed, the sea battered coastal communities, trees came down, cars and trucks were blown over on roads and motorways, and one fatality was reported. The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning - the most severe level of threat - for "exceptionally strong winds" of up to 100mph.
The country is dealing with some of its wettest weather in 250 years. The Thames has risen to levels not seen since 1967. More than 50,000 people are without power, while Virgin Trains cancelled its service to northern England destinations, telling travelers in a terse tweet to abandon their travel plans. Politicians who put on wellington boots to head into flood-affected areas were castigated by residents who claimed their plight was being ignored by the authorities. Prime Minister David Cameron was criticized for saying money was "no object" when it came to clear-up efforts, after it was claimed government cuts would lead to the loss of 500 jobs in flood risk management.
Here, the wind in Manchester city centre, in north west England, which is amplified by down draft from The Beetham Tower was literally blowing people off their feet on Wednesday afternoon.
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A soldier from the Royal Engineers carries a young evacuee resident onto dry land through a flooded road at Egham, Surrey.
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A man cycles through floodwater in the village of Datchet, Berkshire.
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Police officers hold on to their hats as they walk by a programme booth blown over in high winds before Manchester City's Premier League soccer match against Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
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An elderly man is evacuated from his home by fire and rescue services personnel on a flooded street in Egham.
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Commuters pictured in the wind and rain in central London on Wednesday.
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Huge waves break over the Newhaven Lighthouse on the south coast on Wednesday.
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The strong winds affected pedestrians in Manchester city centre.
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A Mercedes car sits abandoned in flood water in Datchet's High Street. The Environment Agency continues to issue severe flood warnings for a number of areas on the river Thames in the commuter belt west of London. People are preparing for the water levels to rise.
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A man battles the high winds with his umbrella as she walks across a bridge in central London on Wednesday, with Tower Bridge in the background.
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Soldiers from the Royal Engineers transport a policeman by boat through floodwaters in Thames Meadow, near Shepperton, south of London on Tuesday.
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Nigel Gray leaves his home on Monday in a rowing boat after the Thames flooded the village of Wraysbury, southern England.
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