The storm, driven by the season’s first major atmospheric river, inundated the region, killing at least three people and causing widespread power outages.

A second powerful wind storm, called a “bomb cyclone,” will hit the Pacific Northwest by this evening, even as hundreds of thousands of people remain without power from the torrential rain and snow still falling from the first one.

Wind gusts reached 74.9 mph in parts of the south as Storm Bert swept the country. The speeds, recorded at the Needles off the Isle of Wight, were the second highest in the UK after the after 82mph recorded in the Welsh village of Capel Curig.

H eavy rain and thawing snow are combining to bring flooding across the UK as Storm Bert continues to batter the country. More than 200 flood alerts are in place for England, Wale

Storm Bert brings weather warnings and travel disruption - The country has braced for the storm’s arrival with weather warnings and flood alerts in place.