Powerful storm rips through the region

THOUSANDS LOSE POWER AND TREES BROUGHT DOWN

- By SAM VOLPE

STORM Floris has battered the North East with winds in excess of 60mph on a wild Monday.

Hundreds - especially in north Northumberland - were left without power, while falling trees caused huge disruption across the transport network.

The storm had been subject to a yellow weather warning from the Met Office, and a long list of attractions across the region closed as a safety precaution. Travellers hoping to head north on the railway were warned not to travel while motorists were advised not to take unnecessary journeys.

While Scotland has thus far been hit harder as expected given the stronger amber Met Office warning in place there the stormy weather has seen huge disruption. As of 5pm, Northern Powergrid confirmed that more than 15,500 households had been affected by power outages, with its live map showing rural Northumberland and towns like Alnwick seriously affected.