British coast lashed by high winds, huge waves following month of wintry weather

Big waves crash near the old port in Biarritz, southwestern France, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014. There has been a weather alert for high waves in the south west of France since Monday. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) (The Associated Press)

Waves crash on the beach front, outside the Biarritz casino, in southwestern France, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014. There has been a weather alert for high waves in the south west of France since Monday. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) (The Associated Press)

LONDON – Britain's western coast is being lashed by high winds and strong rains following a month of unusually frequent winter storms.

A steady procession of storms has battered the island nation over the past few weeks, making December the windiest since 1969. Monster waves up to 27 feet (8.3 meters) high washed across the British coast on Monday, prompting evacuations and rescues.

The nearly non-stop storms have crumbled long-standing sea cliffs and damaged waterfronts.

"It's been one after the other with no break," Nicola Maxey, a spokeswoman for Britain's Meteorological Office, said Tuesday.

More than 100 flood warnings remain across England and Wales.

Heavy winds and rain have also battered the French coast, driving large waves into southwestern town of Biarritz on Tuesday.