Warnings of fierce winds and storm surges for western Europe, as of 1400 GMT on Feb 9 AFP Swathes of northern France were placed on orange alert with people advised to avoid the coast due to possible storm surges. Britain, which bore the brunt of the storm Sunday with widespread flooding across the north of the country, remained on alert with the Meteorological Office warning of strong winds, heavy rain and snow. "While Storm Ciara is clearing away, that doesn't mean we're entering a quieter period of weather," Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said. "It's going to stay very unsettled," he said, warning "blizzards aren't out of the question". Transport was disrupted across the country with planes, trains and ferries cancelled or delayed after Ciara brought torrential rains and hurricane-force winds. The highest wind speed recorded was 150km per hour in the northwest Welsh village of Aberdaron. At Wet Sleddale Reservoir in northwest England's Lake District national park, more than 150 millimetres of rain fell in a 24-hour period. More than 170 flood warnings remained in place early Monday, mostly across northern England and along the southern coast. The West Yorkshire towns of Hebden Bridge and neighbouring Mytholmroyd were among the worst hit by the storm, with streets inundated and cars submerged in the floodwaters. As of Sunday evening, 62,000 homes across Britain were still without electricity, the Energy Networks Association said. WIND FARM SHUT Dozens of flights have been cancelled or delayed and rail companies have urged passengers not to travel and operated reduced timetables and speed restrictions. Channel ferry services between Dover and the French port of Calais were halted Sunday until further notice. In Ireland, which was on orange alert for the risk of flooding in coastal regions, 10,000 homes, farms and businesses were left without power. Belgium was also on orange alert and around 60 flights to and from Brussels …
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