Clean-up begins after Storm Babet batters UK

Debris removal and damage assessment under way in the wake of the storm which has rendered many bridges and roadways impassable

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  Flooded fields in Powys, Wales, after Storm Babet battered the UK, causing widespread flooding and high winds. PA

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  A man crosses a flood-damaged road in Faithlegg, Co. Waterford, Ireland. PA

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  Lynsey France and David Pickering inspect flood damage in their home in Catcliffe near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, northern England. PA

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  Water damaged cars are seen as flood waters begin to recede in the South Yorkshire village of Catcliffe. Getty Images

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  Residents walk through flood water in Retford in Nottinghamshire. PA

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  A rainbow over Ladybower Reservoir as water rushes down one of its 'plug holes' after heavy rain in Castleton, Derbyshire. Reuters

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  Flooded fields around the River Lugg near Leominster in Herefordshire. PA

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  A car stranded on the remains of a washed away bridge near Dundee in Scotland. PA

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  South Shields lighthouse in South Tyneside after the dome was torn off by the stormy weather. AP

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  Boats sunk in the harbour in Rodvig, about 80km south of Copenhagen, after Storm Babet hit parts of Denmark. Reuters

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  A road ruined after storm Babet hit Vilstrup and Diernaes in Southern Jutland, Denmark. EPA

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  Flooded cars are abandoned in Derby. Getty

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  Ferries arrive and leave the Port of Dover in Kent. PA

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  Waves crash against Seaham lighthouse, in County Durham, north-east England. Reuters

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  Watching the floods in Brechin, Angus, north-east Scotland, as Storm Babet batters the country. PA

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  Waves crash over the promenade in Scarborough in North Yorkshire, England. AP

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  Members of a coastguard rescue team in Brechin. Storm Babet dumped 25cm of rain in some areas. PA

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  A van drives through sea foam in Seaburn, Sunderland, north-east England. PA

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  Waves crash over the harbour wall in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, north-east Scotland. Reuters

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  Emergency services in Brechin ask residents to leave their homes after flood warnings. PA

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  Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks with a woman cleaning up flood damage at a business in Midleton, Co Cork, in the Republic of Ireland. PA

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  A boat owner braves Storm Babet to secure vessels at Stonehaven harbour, in north-east Scotland. AFP

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  The clean-up gets under way on Main street in Midleton, Co Cork. PA

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  A tree blown over by Storm Babet in Brechin. PA

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  Waves crash over the harbour wall in Stonehaven. Getty

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  The aftermath of Storm Babet in Midleton, Co Cork. PA

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  Residents climb over a flood defence barrier in the village of Edzell, near Brechin, in Angus, north-east Scotland. PA

An extensive clean-up operation is under way in flood-hit areas of the UK, after Storm Babet brought damage and disruption.

The storm hit Angus and Aberdeenshire in Scotland hard, and teams are already clearing debris from roads and making assessments of the damage to bridges, some of which were swept away by flood waters.

The red and yellow weather warnings covering Dundee and the north-east of Scotland have expired.

Emergency workers wade through flood water in Brechin, Scotland, as Storm Babet batters the country. Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Flood warnings

There are flood warnings on the River Derwent in Derby which are to be updated by 5pm BST in the UK.

In Wales, a severe flood warning was issued for the village of Llandrinio in Powys, as well as isolated parts of the Severn-Vyrnwy confluence area.

The Environment Agency issued a warning to any drivers tempted to drive through flood water, pointing out that just "one egg cup" of water can "wreck" an engine.

"Environment Agency teams are out on the ground and have operated flood barriers and storage areas," said Katharine Smith, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency.

"Temporary defences, including pumps and barriers, have been deployed to minimise the impact of flooding where needed. Flood gates have also been closed in affected areas.

"We also advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and urge people not to drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car," she added.

'Devastating'

Several streets in the town of Brechin in Angus were flooded when the River South Esk burst its banks, with hundreds of people having to be evacuated from their homes.

Resident Charlie Warden said the flooding has been "devastating" for the town.

Storm Babet caused three deaths since beginning its sweep across the UK last Thursday, while a search continues in Aberdeenshire following a report of a man trapped in a vehicle in floodwater.

Rail services have been severely disrupted in Yorkshire, Scotland, East Anglia and the East Midlands on Sunday.

ScotRail said the majority of its services will be able to run as normal on Sunday, but a number of lines, including Aberdeen to Dundee and Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, remain closed.

Impact to be felt for 'some time to come'

The Energy Network Association said a “small handful” of homes will still be without power on Sunday after around 100,000 customers were affected by power cuts.

For the Environment Agency and local authorities, the clean-up process will take several days and repairing damaged infrastructure will take much longer.

"The storm has caused significant damage and, while flooding is still occurring, it is not expected to be as serious as over the last 24 hours. The impact, however, will be felt in communities for some time to come," said Scottish Justice Secretary Angela Constance.

"While many local authorities are still responding to the immediate impacts of the storm, thoughts are now turning to recovery.

"Over the coming days and weeks, we will stay in close contact with local authorities to support the people and businesses affected."

South Shields lighthouse before and after the top was ripped off during Storm Babet