Forecasters are concerned about ‘flying debris resulting in danger to life’ as well as ‘roofs blown off and electricity lines brought down’. The warnings are in effect from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the South West and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the South East.
The Army is ready to respond to what might be the greatest storm in 32 years.
Over 80 British Airways flights were canceled at London Heathrow and City airports, all railways in Wales were suspended, and vehicles were advised to only make essential journeys while key attractions such as the London Eye, Kew Gardens, and Legoland were all closed.
The Met Office issued the first red warning for the South West at 11 am on Thursday, 20 hours in advance, before issuing the second for the South East at 4 am on Friday.
The South West warning covers coastline of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset as well as South Wales due to the combination of high tides, strong winds and storm surge – while the second is over most of South East England.
Top wind speeds could hit 100mph with the strongest gusts expected in exposed coastal areas, while a lesser amber warning for gusts up to 80mph covers the whole of England until 9 pm tonight having started at 5 am.
The Met Office added that the phenomenon which is known as a sting jet – a small area of highly intense wind inside a storm – could form later today. It would be the first instance of such an event since the Great Storm of 1987.
Forecasters today, Friday, urged Britons to work from home in the worst affected areas – with the centre of the storm expected to be up the Bristol Channel and around the narrowing of the River Severn in Gloucestershire.
MailOnline reported that top wind gusts recorded as of 8 am were 77mph on the Isles of Scilly, 75mph at Capel Curig in North Wales and 71mph at Needles on the Isle of Wight.
Following the red alert issued: Most schools across the worst hit regions in the South West and Wales announced they will shut today;
Major UK attractions including Windsor Castle, London Zoo and Chessington World of Adventures closed;
Windsor Great Park, Richmond, Bushy and Greenwich Parks in London all said they would shut to the public;
Network Rail warned disruption was ‘inevitable’ with airports advising people to check flights with airlines;
People were urged not to take dangerous ‘storm selfies’ with huge waves expected along the south coast;
The Environment Agency issued 10 severe flood warnings, 31 normal flood warnings and 102 flood alerts;
In some areas, refuse collections were cancelled and residents warned to ‘tie down’ bins in the back garden;
Pet owners were warned to take extra precautions to keep their animals safe during the storm.
Home Office minister Damian Hinds told Sky News: “We are strongly encouraging people to take precautions and make sure they stay safe.”
He added: “Over the longer term a lot of learning has been done from Storm Arwen, particularly on dealing with welfare issues, staying in touch with people, staying in touch with customers for the (power) networks.
“But in the immediate term there are troops on high readiness standby, the Environment Agency on the ground, the networks themselves have to be very much active, and they are.
“Weather is unpredictable and it is really important that we all continue… to take those precautions and try to keep everyone safe.”
When asked if people could get ‘cut off’ by the storm, Hinds said that was ‘absolutely a risk’, and the red weather warning indicated a ‘risk to life and limb’.
Families have been warned to expect falling trees, flying debris, severe flooding, roofs blown off and downed power lines.
Forecasters are especially worried because the storm is hitting during the morning rush hour – and in heavily populated areas.
The Army is ready to respond to what might be the greatest storm in 32 years.
Over 80 British Airways flights were canceled at London Heathrow and City airports, all railways in Wales were suspended, and vehicles were advised to only make essential journeys while key attractions such as the London Eye, Kew Gardens, and Legoland were all closed.
The Met Office issued the first red warning for the South West at 11 am on Thursday, 20 hours in advance, before issuing the second for the South East at 4 am on Friday.
The South West warning covers coastline of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset as well as South Wales due to the combination of high tides, strong winds and storm surge – while the second is over most of South East England.
Top wind speeds could hit 100mph with the strongest gusts expected in exposed coastal areas, while a lesser amber warning for gusts up to 80mph covers the whole of England until 9 pm tonight having started at 5 am.
The Met Office added that the phenomenon which is known as a sting jet – a small area of highly intense wind inside a storm – could form later today. It would be the first instance of such an event since the Great Storm of 1987.
Forecasters today, Friday, urged Britons to work from home in the worst affected areas – with the centre of the storm expected to be up the Bristol Channel and around the narrowing of the River Severn in Gloucestershire.
MailOnline reported that top wind gusts recorded as of 8 am were 77mph on the Isles of Scilly, 75mph at Capel Curig in North Wales and 71mph at Needles on the Isle of Wight.
Following the red alert issued: Most schools across the worst hit regions in the South West and Wales announced they will shut today;
Major UK attractions including Windsor Castle, London Zoo and Chessington World of Adventures closed;
Windsor Great Park, Richmond, Bushy and Greenwich Parks in London all said they would shut to the public;
Network Rail warned disruption was ‘inevitable’ with airports advising people to check flights with airlines;
People were urged not to take dangerous ‘storm selfies’ with huge waves expected along the south coast;
The Environment Agency issued 10 severe flood warnings, 31 normal flood warnings and 102 flood alerts;
In some areas, refuse collections were cancelled and residents warned to ‘tie down’ bins in the back garden;
Pet owners were warned to take extra precautions to keep their animals safe during the storm.
Home Office minister Damian Hinds told Sky News: “We are strongly encouraging people to take precautions and make sure they stay safe.”
He added: “Over the longer term a lot of learning has been done from Storm Arwen, particularly on dealing with welfare issues, staying in touch with people, staying in touch with customers for the (power) networks.
“But in the immediate term there are troops on high readiness standby, the Environment Agency on the ground, the networks themselves have to be very much active, and they are.
“Weather is unpredictable and it is really important that we all continue… to take those precautions and try to keep everyone safe.”
When asked if people could get ‘cut off’ by the storm, Hinds said that was ‘absolutely a risk’, and the red weather warning indicated a ‘risk to life and limb’.
Families have been warned to expect falling trees, flying debris, severe flooding, roofs blown off and downed power lines.
Forecasters are especially worried because the storm is hitting during the morning rush hour – and in heavily populated areas.
Related posts:
- Residents of nothern England urged to be at alert for raging Storm EuniceThe Environment Agency is urging communities across England, especially in parts of the north, to remain vigilant and continue to prepare for flooding. Many flood...
- Met Office Issues Alert for Storm Betty’s Arrival: London, Southeast, and Midlands on AlertAdvertisements A significant weather event is set to unfold as Storm Betty, the second named storm of the season, approaches. The Met Office has issued...
- Environment Agency warns south west coastal communities to prepare for flooding from Storm EuniceRisk of flooding to homes and businesses along the coast Residents urged to take action to prepare for flooding The Environment Agency is urging people...
- UK Environment Agency urges vigilance as Storm Eunice brings threat of severe floodingThe Environment Agency is urging coastal communities in the south west and south coasts of England, especially communities along the tidal River Severn and Wye...
- UK Environment Agency calls for preparation and shelter as Storm Eunice approachesThe Environment Agency is calling for public to take action to stay safe during Storm Eunice Public urged to sign up for flood warning alerts...
- UK Environment Agency releases more flood warning as Storm Eunice continuesThe Environment Agency is urging communities along the west and south coasts of England, especially communities along the River Severn and Wye in Gloucestershire, to...
- Storm Eunice – Stay away from the coastThere have been multiple reports of people at the waterline taking pictures of the waves, and even of families standing by the surf line with...
- Mali: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement strongly condemns killing of two Red Cross aid workersThe aid workers were on their way back from a field visit to the Malian town of Kayes when their car was attacked. Both colleagues...
- Power outage at Perth Airport changes travellers plans as dozens of flights got cancelled.For the third time in 48 hours, a power outage caused by wild weather has disrupted traveler plans at Perth Airport. The indignation was confirmed...
- At least 500 UK Flights Cancelled Due to Air Traffic Control IT FailureAdvertisements Thousands of UK travelers faced disruptions as a major IT failure hit the national air traffic control system, causing flight cancellations and delays. On...