UK weather warning upgraded

LONDON. — Winds gusting at over 100mph have been recorded as a huge storm battered the UK and the Met Office issued its first “red warning” of the winter. The warning, valid until 21:00 GMT yesterday, meant there was a “risk to life” and people should “avoid dangerous areas”, with widespread damage expected. Sixteen severe flood warnings remain for Berkshire, Surrey and Somerset. In the Commons, David Cameron repeated his pledge that “money is no object in this relief effort”.

He unveiled a package of measures to help businesses and homeowners repairing flood-damaged property to build in new defences and said small businesses affected by flooding would get 100 percent relief from business rates. — bbc.co.uk.