Further stormy weather is expected in many parts of Britain this weekend bringing more misery to millions of households already hit by severe flooding.
The Environment Agency has warned that high tides will bring a another risk of flooding despite an improvement in conditions.
Torrential rain and hurricane force winds have been battering the country for more than a week, leaving thousands without power and causing widespread damage.
The government has been criticised for announcing around 1,500 job losses in roles connected to floods at the Environment Agency but it insists “frontline services” will be protected.
The picture is much the same across large parts of northern France.
In Brittany, strong winds and heavy rainfall have caused flooding leaving thousands stranded in their own homes.
The severe weather has also affected Belgium too. Some 500 rail passengers were forced to spend five hours stuck in their carriages as their train was blocked by a fallen tree outside Aerschot.
Elsewhere, there has been travel chaos and in many regions close-by there has been widespread damage which insurance cost assessors say could take weeks to estimate.
