Storm Arwen: 10-day-old puppy dies when 90mph winds causes power cut at animal rescue centre

A PUPPY has died after an animal rescue centre lost power as Storm Arwen battered the country with raging 98mph gales.

The 10-day-old pup, Florence, tragically died after becoming too cold when the Many Tears Animal Rescue in Llanelli, Wales, suffered “catastrophic damage” – blowing out the electricity in the early hours.

Media WalesThe 10-day-old pup died after the rescue centre lost power[/caption]

Media WalesMany Tears Animal Rescue in Llanelli, Wales, has been without electricity and hot water for hours[/caption]

As the storm wreaked havoc across the UK – killing at least three people – the roof of one of the centre’s buildings was ripped off.

Sylvia Van Atta, who owns the centre, said they are “devastated” that one dogs in their care died.

“Storm Arwen hit the rescue causing catastrophic damage,” she wrote on Facebook.

“We have been without power since the early hours, buildings are destroyed and we are devastated that one puppy has died.

“The new classroom we have spent so long creating is in pieces with debris flying dangerously in the winds.

“We have suffered major structural damage and loss of life so we are absolutely devastated right now and must cancel our open day as the premises are not safe and we must concentrate on the repairs and our dogs.”

Sylvia has appealed for doantions to help fund much-needed repairs as she says it will cost thousands.

It comes after three people were crushed to death by trees and 140,000 homes were left without power as Storm Arwen continues to hit the country.

A 35-year-old driver was killed when the tree fell on his car on the B977 in Aberdeenshire around 5.45pm yesterday.

Shortly after cops arrived at the scene, their police van was almost torn in two by another falling tree – as the devastating storm raged on, cutting off power for thousands.

Luckily, no officers were hurt in the incident near Hatton-of-Fintray, Aberdeenshire.

Meanwhile, a head teacher and dad-of-four Francis Lagan was killed when a tree fell on his car in Antrim, Northern Ireland, yesterday.

And a second man – who has also not been named – was crushed by a falling tree in Ambleside, Cumbria, last night.

The storm has brought 33ft waves, plunging temperatures and blizzards to much of the UK.

In Brizlee Wood, Northumberland, windspeeds hit a massive 98mph – followed closely by Berry Head, Devon, where 92mph gusts were recorded.

Winds of 87mph were noted in Orlock Head, County Down . Meanwhile, speeds hit 81mph in Aberporth, Dyfed, and 79mph in The Needles on the Isle of Wight.

The mercury plunged to -5C in Scotland as the bone-shaking chill took over this morning – with -3C temps recorded in parts of the midlands.

More than 100,000 homes have been left without power across the UK.

Scotland has 75,000 homes without power, while England has 55,000 and Wales has 11,000.

The Met Office has now plastered a yellow weather warning for ice across much of the UK – stretching from the northern tip of Scotland and down to Leicester.

NewslineA police van crushed under a tree in Aberdeenshire[/caption]

PAA car was covered in bricks after a building collapsed in Sunderland-1[/caption]

�MI News & Sport LtdMammoth waves crashing in Hartlepool[/caption]