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 has damaged houses, canceled trains and left thousands of people without electricity 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. Storm Gerrit also caused widespread disruption to train service across Scotland on Thursday. In the city of Manchester in northwest England, police say they received numerous reports late Wednesday of homes being damaged by a “mini tornado.” .