NEW YORK -- Massive flooding and high winds from a powerful storm
wreaked havoc in Great Britain, bringing rail and ferry travel to a
virtual standstill and idling the London underground system.
The storm's 90 mph winds caused trees to fall on rail tracks and
forced thousands of ferry passengers to ride out the storm in the
English Channel, as winds prevented boats from entering or leaving
Dover, England.
Southern England was hardest hit.
In London, a spokesman for Eurostar said operations were
suspended early on Oct. 30, and no resumption of service had yet
been determined.
A spokeswoman for the London Underground said the system was
brought to a virtual standstill Oct. 29, but that most tube lines
had reopened early on Oct. 30.
Partial line closures were reported on the Piccalilli, Northern,
Jubilee, District and Circle lines, and service was temporarily
suspended between Piccadilly Circus and Heathrow Airport.
Downed trees and floods caused major disruptions of service
throughout the rail network.
First Great Western said it was forced to suspend services
between Paddington and the West Country and South Wales due to
damaged rail tracks.
In all, the following regional train companies reported
suspension of service or serious delays: South West Trains, Thames
Trains, First Great Western, Virgin (mainline services), Wales
& West and Central Railways.
According to reports from Dover, four ferries carrying 6,000
passengers were trapped in a "safe bay" in Deal, about four miles
outside Dover, waiting for the storm to die down.
Ferry operator P&O Stena Line said it was hopeful that
vessels would be allowed to dock later in the day on Oct. 30.
Air travelers also were affected, as dozens of flights were
unable to land at or depart from Heathrow and Gatwick on Oct.
29.