Storm Emma - as it happened: Thousands of trains and flights cancelled across UK as freezing weather and heavy snow set to continue

Military sent in to free trapped drivers on motorway and flood warnings issued as Storm Emma causes fourth day of disruption

UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

The military has been deployed across Britain to rescue drivers trapped in cars and help hospitals keep running as extreme weather continues to wreak havoc across the UK.

Forecasters have warned the UK is “not out of the woods yet” as Storm Emma's strengthening winds cause blizzards and snowdrifts, bringing roads to a standstill and leaving commuters facing the fourth day travel disruption.

All trains out of London Waterloo after 8pm have been cancelled, with operator South Western Railway blaming further heavy snow and gales that are expected.

Passengers on Southeastern rail services became so frustrated at delays near Lewisham, south London that they began walking down the tracks.

Two police forces declared "major incidents" as the Army was drafted in to help rescue those left trapped in their cars, while troops in 4x4 vehicles are shuttling staff at four NHS trusts to hospitals and home visits.

Follow our live blog for updates on the extreme weather and travel disruption as it happened.

Read more weather stories on The Independent.

Key Points

• Military deployed across country to help stranded drivers and hospital staff 
• Thousands of homes left without power
• Flood alerts issued in storm-hit regions
• Severe weather alert downgraded but authorities warn of ice danger 
• All trains cancelled after 8pm at London Waterloo

[2 March 2018 19:23 · Kristin Hugo]

The M62 remains closed 

The M62 remains closed but all cars between junction 20 and junction 24 have been recovered, Greater Manchester Police said.

The force added: "The M62 will be reopened when it is safe to do so and that decision is constantly under review."

[2 March 2018 20:24 · Kristin Hugo]

Elderly man rescued by coastguard helicopter 

An elderly man who became disorientated in the snow was rescued by a coastguard helicopter just before 2.40pm on Friday.

The man was walking on Speyside Way, Scotland, when he rang the emergency services asking for help just after 1.40pm.

HM Coastguard winch operator Mark Lean said: "The elderly gentleman had become lost in deep gorse and scrub land and he had quickly become fatigued trying to beat his way through the undergrowth.

"He knew he might get into a very serious situation as darkness fell as temperatures plummeted, so he did the right thing to call the Coastguard as soon as he got into difficulty."

[2 March 2018 20:47 · Kristin Hugo]

Passengers on Southeastern rail resort to walking down the tracks 

Southeastern rail services are disrupted after passengers grew frustrated at delays near Lewisham, south London, and began walking down the tracks.

Southeastern rail took to Twitter to advise passengers not to leave the trains saying they were safer if they remained onboard and staff are trained before they walk down tracks. 

[2 March 2018 21:03 · Kristin Hugo]

Southeastern says they have had to turn the power off 

"Several passengers have forced open the doors on a train and disembarked while it was stopped outside of the station," a Southeastern spokesperson said. 

"We've had to turn the power off for safety reasons, and Southeastern staff are currently working closely with Network Rail and the police to clear the trespassers from the tracks so that we can get trains moving again.

"We completely understand that passengers on delayed and busy trains may be frustrated, but they simply must stay on the train for their own safety.

"These trespassers risk being electrocuted by the 'third' rail or hit by other trains. They're also causing significant further delay for other passengers that our staff are working hard to get home."

[2 March 2018 22:35 · Kristin Hugo]

Thank you for following our coverage of Storm Emma.