BLOWN AWAY! Storms blast back to batter the UK with more to come.

Byline: JEREMY ARMSTRONG

STORMS battered the UK again yesterday - with some areas getting more than a month's worth of rain in just 24 hours.

Hundreds of homes had to be evacuated and entire communities were cut off by floods. The Environment Agency helpline took more than 7,000 calls.

And there could be worse to come as planners warned of a tidal surge in the Irish Sea.

It was worst in Cumbria, with Seathwaite recording 6.8 inches of rain in 24 hours up to 11am yesterday. Another six inches were predicted overnight. The monthly average is just 5.5 inches.

Emergency reception centres were opened to cope with hundreds of flood-hit householders. Main roads were blocked and 21 schools closed.

Keswick Convention Centre manager Simon Overend said: "The situation is similar to the flooding in 2005 but this may get worse."

Residents in Cockermouth claimed their homes had been flooded because plans for better defences were halted to protect salmon in a local river.

Police issued a generalised flood warning across Northern Ireland with particular attention paid to Glenavy and Crumlin in Co Antrim.

In Boho, Co Fermanagh, tractors had to be used to keep a primary school open after flooding stopped teachers and children getting to class. There have been 31 consecutive days of rain in Fermanagh and more is forecast, with strong winds, in coming days.

In Coventry, tot Kya Mackenzie, two, had a lucky escape after her buggy was blown 65 feet over two lanes in rush-hour traffic as vehicles thundered past Granny Tracy Wilkinson, 44, who ran into the traffic and got the pram to a pedestrian refuge in the the road.

Kya's mum Karen said: "It was absolutely terrifying. I took my hand off the handle for one second as I tried to open the shop door and suddenly Kya was gone."

Even the Queen was a weather victim when she had to cling on to her hat in Ely, Cambs, as she celebrating the 900th anniversary of the diocese. Flooding was also reported in northwest Wales and in Dumfries and Galloway. More than 10 roads in the region were closed.

The Environment Agency said a surge in the Irish Sea could cause coastal floods affecting Porthcawl and Aberystwyth northwards.

CAPTION(S):

COVENTRY Tot Kya, mum Karen and hero gran Tracy BLACKPOOL Huge wave hits sea wall YORK Rising water left areas inaccessible BRIGHTON Gales turns umbrella inside out PORTHCAWL The wind-driven waves crash against lighthouse KESWICK Emergency teams had to evacuate homes ELY Queen battles to keep her hat on