Storm Gerrit Damages Houses and Leaves Thousands Without Power as It Batters the Northern UK

LONDON (AP) -- A storm that battered the U.K. with high winds and heavy snow damaged houses, canceled trains and left thousands of people without electricity Thursday across Scotland and parts of northern England.

Workers dealt with wind speeds of 80 miles per hour in some coastal areas of Scotland as they tried to restore power to households and businesses that were cut off when falling branches and other debris hit utility lines.

More than 31,000 homes were reconnected, but about 14,000 others remained without power on Thursday morning.

Storm Gerrit also caused widespread disruption to train service across Scotland, where travel on some lines was suspended until officials could carry out a full inspection of the rail network. A falling tree hit the driver's cabin on one train, but no one was injured.

Snow also blocked some roads in Scotland.

In the city of Manchester in northwest England, police said they received numerous reports late Wednesday of homes being damaged by a "mini tornado." .

Local officials said some 100 properties were evacuated overnight. No injuries were reported.

Heathrow Airport, the U.K.'s main travel hub, canceled 18 flights on Wednesday because of air traffic control restrictions on domestic routes. Flights to European cities like Barcelona and Berlin were also affected.