Three men die as their car is trapped in floods and 100 homes damaged in tornado

Three men have died after their 4x4 became submerged in the River Esk in the North York Moors amid ferocious weather and severe flooding across parts of the UK yesterday.

- Robyn Vinter

Emergency services, including air support, were called shortly before 12pm to reports of the men becoming trapped in deep water and police said that their vehicle was recovered at about 3pm.

Residents of parts of Tameside, Greater Manchester, have been left picking up the pieces after a "localised tornado" from a supercell thunderstorm damaged about 100 properties, with thousands of homes left without power. A major incident was declared.

Storm Gerrit, the latest named storm to reach the UK, also caused heavy snow, high winds and rain in parts of Scotland, where fallen trees, branches and other debris have brought down power lines.

The Met Office said yesterday afternoon the worst of the weather was over but that the blustery and showery picture would continue overnight and into today, with winds expected to ease slightly across most of the UK.

A further bout of "very strong winds" and a spell of "intense rain" is expected tomorrow before more unsettled weather with "blustery, showery conditions likely as we go through New Year's Eve".

By yesterday evening, the number of warnings in place for expected flooding in England had risen to 29, concentrated in North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, Cumbria and the Midlands.

A further 123 flood alerts, where flooding is possible, remained in place in England, particularly in the north and west. There were eight flood warnings and 15 flood alerts in Scotland, and one flood warning and 17 alerts in Wales.

Several train operators, including ScotRail, LNER and Avanti West Coast, suspended some services and advised customers not to travel on several routes.