Summary

  • Storm Lilian has brought travel disruption, flooding and power cuts as it battered parts of England, Wales and Scotland

  • Wind gusts topped 70mph, leaving thousands of homes without power and train services disrupted in north-east England

  • Tents at Leeds Festival were battered by the storm, and three stages have been closed for the day due to strong winds

  • Lilian is now on its way to Scandinavia, but more bad weather is expected in south-east England tomorrow where a yellow warning for rain has been issued

  1. Storm Lilian - the latestpublished at 16:03 British Summer Time 23 August

    Rachel Flynn
    Live reporter

    Workers begin to remove fallen tree branches after strong winds brought by Storm Lilian brought down trees blocking roads and tram routes in Manchester, Britain, August 23, 2024.Image source, Reuters

    We're closing our live coverage of Storm Lilian now, but before we do, here's the latest:

    • After bringing heavy wind and rain to parts of England, Wales and Scotland this morning, the storm has left the UK and is now bringing severe coastal gales to Denmark and Norway, the Met Office says
    • But the grim weather hasn't finished yet - a fresh yellow weather warning for rain has been issued in parts of south-east England tomorrow, with warnings of floods and difficult driving conditions. More here, external
    • Leeds Festival has been hit badly and has closed three stages, meaning some acts are cancelled
    • Train services continue to face disruption in northern England - with delays and cancellations to some services
    • Tens of thousands of homes lost power - and engineers are still trying to reconnect customers in some areas
    • There is one flood warning and 26 flood alerts currently in place in England, two alerts in Scotland and three more in Wales

    For all the latest in our news story, head here.

  2. Huge waves crash to shore in the Wirralpublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 23 August

    The seas are looking choppy off the Wirral, in north-west England.

    People can be seen peering over the sea wall in New Brighton as waves crash into the mainland.

    Three people stand behind sea wall, with one taking a picture with a camera, while wave crashes into the sea wall and up into the airImage source, EPA
    Two people stand next to a dog as they lean on sea wall as water sprays into the skyImage source, EPA
  3. How can I stay safe from flooding?published at 15:38 British Summer Time 23 August

    Right now there is one flood warning and 26 flood alerts currently in place in England, two alerts in Scotland and three more in Wales. (Full info here)., external

    Here are some tips issued by the Met Office for staying safe during flooding or heavy rain.

    • Check whether your property might be at risk, you can do that via gov.uk, external in England, Natural Resources Wales, external or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, external
    • If necessary prepare a flood plan and an emergency flood kit
    • To protect a property you can take steps including turning off gas, water and electricity supplies and storing valuables at a height
    • Other measures you can take would be to charge phones, park your car outside of the flood zone and think about vulnerable people who know in the local area who may also need help
    • The Met Office stresses that in these conditions it is safer not to drive. But if you do have to ensure you drive slowly, use main roads and keep a bigger gap than usual between vehicles

    You can read their advice in more detail here, external.

  4. Storm wrecks market stalls on first day of food festivalpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 23 August

    Blue and white market stalls behind a grey fence. Gazebos have been blown backwards and the contents of them are scattered across the street infrontImage source, Jayde Taylorson / BBC
    Image caption,

    "I didn't think it would be as bad it was", one stallholder says

    A food festival in Bolton has been delayed after a storm blew down market stalls overnight.

    Stock from around 20 traders set up for the Bolton Food and Drink Festival was scattered across the street.

    One stall owner - Helen Woolstencroft who runs a craft store - tells the BBC she is "absolutely devastated" to see most of her stock has been lost.

    You can read more about the damage to the four-day event here.

  5. Trees uprooted as council gets 100 callspublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 23 August

    A tree topples over onto a house in Lancashire.

    Fallen trees have been seen across the parts of the UK battered by the storm. In Bury, Lancashire (pictured above), a tree was uprooted and fell on a house.

    Further west, Liverpool City Council says it has received around 100 reports of damaged trees as a result of Storm Lilian.

    In a post on X - with the picture below - it says its team is "visiting every site to assess the damage" and ensure safety if necessary.

    A fallen tree in Liverpool.Image source, X/@lpoolcouncil
  6. ‘Nice outfits have gone out of the window’published at 15:17 British Summer Time 23 August

    Shaun Dacosta
    BBC Newsbeat

    Ellie Rainey smiling at the camera
    Image caption,

    Ellie says she got into the festival site today "after a three hour wait"

    Ellie Rainey has reached Leeds after travelling from Blackpool.

    The 23-year-old says it’s "disappointing" they’ve had to cancel several stages, including the Radio 1 Stage as she was looking forward to seeing Beabadobee.

    She was still hoping to catch Skrillex, Liam Gallagher and Catfish and the Bottlemen - although now that a third stage is closed, Skrillex is off.

    "We’re only going for the day, so hoping the weather holds out.

    "We’ve dressed warm and the nice outfits have gone out of the window," Ellie says.

  7. It's rare for festivals to take such drastic measurespublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 23 August

    Ian Youngs
    Entertainment and Arts Reporter, BBC News

    US DJ and producer Skrillex on stageImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    US DJ and producer Skrillex was due to headline Leeds Festival's second stage

    Leeds Festival has called off all performances on its second and third biggest stages for the whole day.

    That means no sets from some big names - US dance music superstar Skrillex and Brit Award and Mercury Prize-nominated junglist Nia Archives were supposed to top the bill on the 40,000-capacity Chevron stage.

    And singer-songwriter Beabadoobee, who currently has the UK's number one album, was due to headline the BBC Radio 1 Stage.

    It's rare for festivals to take such drastic measures because of bad weather. In 2019, Boardmasters in Cornwall was cancelled completely just hours before the start because of a coming storm. And at Glastonbury, torrential rain delayed the start in 2005, while lightning closed the stages for a spell in 2014.

    Leeds' main stage is still due to run today as planned, with Liam Gallagher, Catfish and the Bottlemen and 21 Savage among the performers.

    Some minor stages will be open too, but most of the 90,000 attendees will have little choice but to cram into the main arena.

  8. First act about to start at Leeds Festivalpublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 23 August

    Thomas Copeland
    Live reporter

    We've just had another update from the festival.

    In a post on social media the organisers say the Leeds arena is now open and the first live act, rapper Bru-C, is due on stage in the next few minutes.

    "The Chevron, BBC Radio 1 & Aux stage will remain closed for today, and the BBC Introducing Stage will continue as normal from around 3pm," they say.

    You can follow all of the BBC's coverage of the festival here.

  9. Storm Lilian reaches another festival in Denmarkpublished at 14:58 British Summer Time 23 August

    As predicted, it looks like Storm Lilian has now reached Scandinavia.

    Festivalgoers at the folk music Tønder Festival in Denmark can be seen huddled under brollies and rain jackets.

    The Danish Meteorological Institute has issued a yellow weather warning for wind in the Tønder area, beginning shortly at 14:00 CST (15:00 BST) and ending at 21:00 CST (22:00 BST) tonight.

    Festivalgoers attend the folk music Toender Festival as the Storm Lilian approaches,Image source, Reuters
    Festivalgoers attend the folk music Toender Festival as the Storm Lilian approaches,Image source, Reuters
    People walk in the rain at the folk music Toender Festival as the Storm Lilian approaches, in Toender, DenmarkImage source, Reuters
  10. 'Perfect storm' for adverse driving conditions, says RACpublished at 14:54 British Summer Time 23 August

    Breakdown company RAC estimates 19.2 million leisure car trips will be made this bank holiday weekend, with 3.2 million today.

    Spokeswoman Alice Simpson says the storm and large number of expected trips are the "perfect storm" for drivers.

    Drivers should avoid "exposed coasts and higher routes" where there's a larger chance of fallen branches and trees, Simpson advises - as well as urging motorists to keep speeds low and stopping distance high.

    "Drivers should keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and take extra care when passing high-sided vehicles," she adds.

  11. 3,000 homes still without power in north-west Englandpublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 23 August

    Engineers have restored power to almost 15,000 homes in north-west England and are still working to restore power to 3,000 more, supplier Electricity North West says.

    Tree branches and debris brought down overhead power lines, they said - and shared pictures of some of the damage on social media., external

    Impact has largely been across Lancashire with some damage in Cumbria and Greater Manchester, it adds.

    This is on top of the power outages reported by Northern Powergrid in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire where more than 63,000 customers were affected. We're still waiting to hear the latest update - but as of this morning, some 36,000 customers were still without power.

    Photos from #Leyland today after Storm Lilian caused damage to the electricity network, bringing down overhead lines and falling trees on the lines.Image source, @ElectricityNW/Twitter
    Image caption,

    Electricity North West shared this photo from Leyland, where Lilian brought down power lines

  12. Leeds Festival closes a third stagepublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 23 August
    Breaking

    Thomas Copeland
    Live reporter

    We can bring you the latest now from Leeds Festival which has announced, external they've closed another stage - bringing the total shut to three.

    "Unfortunately in light of updated site reports and despite our best efforts, the Chevron stage will not be able to open as planned today in Leeds. It will open as scheduled for the rest of the weekend."

    The BBC Radio 1 and Aux stages were already closed earlier today. But the festival is still aiming to open the main arena this afternoon - with the first live act, singer Reneé Rapp, due on the main stage at 3.10pm, we're told.

    You can follow all of the BBC's coverage of the festival here.

  13. Catching the train?published at 13:46 British Summer Time 23 August

    For those of you heading out to catch the train, check if it's still running because many rail operators are still reporting severe disruption in England because of Storm Lilian.

    Here's the latest update on the tracks this lunchtime:

    • TransPennine Express trains are experiencing severe disruption, external between York, Middlesbrough, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Scarborough
    • LNER says disruption between Doncaster and York is expected until the end of the day, with some lines to Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate subject to delays due to reports of trees on the line
    • There is severe disruption on Northern Rail's trains across the north-west and north-east England, including Lancashire, Manchester, Yorkshire, Cumbria, and Northumberland
    • Avanti West Coast says its lines, external are reopen but delays on its Manchester route are expected to continue this afternoon.
    • East Midland Railway's services between Liverpool and Sheffield are disrupted, affecting its Liverpool. Nottingham, and Norwich route.
    • Transport for Wales has reported trees affecting some of its lines, external, including services in Wrexham, Aberystwyth, Shrewsbury, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Chester, Manchester, and Crewe.
    • Grand Central has suspended many of its Bradford to Kings Cross services due to trees blocking the railway.
    • Hull Trains and Lumo have reported delays on some journeys.

    You can check your train operators website for updates, or head over to National Rail's website, external.

  14. Gates open at Creamfields with 'safety contingencies' in placepublished at 13:33 British Summer Time 23 August

    Thomas Copeland
    Live reporter

    We've been bringing you all the latest from Leeds Festival this morning.

    Well we can cross England now for an update from Creamfields, the electronic dance music festival held in Daresbury, Cheshire.

    Festival organisers have just updated attendees with some good news: "The high winds have eased as forecasted and we're pleased to confirm that the gates are now open for campers."

    Earlier this morning, external festival organisers thanked attendees for their patience "as we work hard on our safety contingencies to ensure a safe and secure opening today."

  15. Why is the storm called Lilian?published at 13:28 British Summer Time 23 August

    Three people walk along holding umbrellasImage source, PA

    The UK started naming storms in 2015, launching the "Name Our Storms" campaign in the hope of raising public awareness of severe weather.

    Each year, the Met Office, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, and Ireland's weather service, Met Éireann, ask the public for their favourite names and a list is put together.

    A Met Office spokeswoman previously told the BBC that people naming storms had been "particularly effective at gaining attention on social media".

    Storm Lilian is the 12th named storm of the season and the first time the letter L has been used for the name.

    • You can read more here on the history of naming storms.
  16. Weather warnings have expired, but disruption continues - what you need to knowpublished at 13:14 British Summer Time 23 August

    Today's Met Office weather warnings for wind and rain have both now expired, but the effects of Storm Lilian continue to be felt in parts of northern England, Scotland and Wales.

    Here's everything you need to know:

    • Wind gusts topped 70mph in the early hours of Friday morning, as Storm Lilian brought heavy wind and rain to parts of England, Wales and Scotland
    • Tents at Leeds Festival were battered by the storm, and two stages have been closed for the day due to strong winds
    • Hundreds of homes in north-east England remain without power, with electricity companies trying to restore connections
    • Train services continue to face disruption in northern England - with delays and cancellations to some services
    • At Heathrow Airport 14 British Airways flights have been cancelled due to air traffic control restrictions
    • Thirteen flood warnings remain in place in England, a majority of which are along the North Sea coast and the Humber estuary

    And even though Storm Lilian is now on its way to Scandinavia, it's not the end of the bad weather - a fresh yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for parts of south-east England tomorrow

  17. Winds top 70mph in Walespublished at 13:02 British Summer Time 23 August

    Thomas Copeland
    Live reporter

    We've just had an update from the Met Office who have been recording Storm Lillian's top gusts.

    Capel Curig in north Wales has seen wind speeds of 73mph today.

    Crosby in Merseyside and Lake Vyrnwy in Powys come a close second at 70mph.

    "Strong winds have brought trees down and some travel disruption this morning," the Met Office says.

    A tree uprooted by strong winds in YorkImage source, Deneal Smith
  18. ‘We’re lost because the road signs have blown away’published at 12:48 British Summer Time 23 August

    Shaun Dacosta
    BBC Newsbeat

    Tegan Mcivor and her partner Billy in a carImage source, Tegan Mcivor

    Tegan Mcivor is on the way to Leeds with her partner Billy.

    She tells BBC Newsbeat the signs have been blown away so they don’t know where they’re going and are “a bit lost”.

    The stage cancellations are “a little bit pants”, she says, but “hopefully there’s no more”.

    Tegan, 28, is looking forward to seeing Fred Again and Raye but also hopes the weather doesn’t impact her sleep tonight.

    “Because I’m pregnant and I’m hoping the wind doesn’t blow the tent away.”

  19. Watch: Tent takes flight at Leeds Festivalpublished at 12:35 British Summer Time 23 August

    We've been updating you throughout the morning on the disruption Storm Lilian has caused to this weekend's Leeds Festival.

    In this video shared with the BBC you can see lines of tents being battered by the wind, before one takes flight and flies across the camera.

    Organisers have said they "can see an end in sight" to the heavy winds, and are hopeful "that we will still have an amazing weekend". You can read more about the impact the storm has had on the festival here.

  20. 'Worst day ever', says Leeds Festival goerpublished at 12:28 British Summer Time 23 August

    Thomas Copeland
    Live reporter

    "It's honestly really bad here," says a Leeds Festival attendee whose tent has been destroyed by Storm Lillian.

    "The fabric ripped open and leaked the whole tent with the rain," says Carrie Gill, 19, a university student who says she was told to leave the area by festival organisers.

    "All our stuff is in our mates' tent, phones on 30%, all the stores have blown over, the urinal walls are gone and lads are just pissing against fences, people's tents are in the sky," she says.

    Gill has spent £60 on a replacement tent, but it's still too windy to put it up so she's waiting in a nearby McDonald's. If her new tent doesn't last, she'll be forced to go home.

    "As you can imagine being a student, it's quite an expensive festival to be going to and to be let down like this," she says, "it's the worst day ever."