LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Storm Eunice is sweeping over the UK, with forecast warnings wind speeds exceeding records.
The Met Office thinks “severe gusts” might result in flying debris endangering lives, electricity lines being pulled down, and roofs being blown off homes, and has issued weather warnings for most of the UK, including rare red alerts for wind.
Here is the most up-to-date information about the current weather warnings:
- From 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, a red wind warning will be in effect throughout sections of south Wales and southwest England. Inland gusts of 70 to 80 mph are expected, with gusts reaching 90 mph near some beaches.
- The Met Office released another red warning for wind in the East of England, including London, at 4 a.m. on Friday, which will last from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- From 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Amber warnings, the second-highest category, are in effect over much of England. Early in the morning, “extremely strong winds” are likely to start in the South West of England, spreading north and east. In certain areas, wind gusts might approach 80 miles per hour.
- Yellow Wind warnings have been issued from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout sections of Northern Ireland, South West Scotland, and northern England . Winds of up to 60 mph are expected, with gusts up to 75 mph in a few exposed areas.
- Separately, yellow warnings for snow are in effect for Northern Ireland, vast swaths of Scotland, areas of the North West and North East of England and Yorkshire from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Severe flood warnings have been issued since the storm will be worse than Dudley
Storm Eunice is “coinciding with a period of spring tides and large waves,” according to the Environment Agency, so coastal areas should prepare for flooding.
This weekend, more heavy rain is forecast, and the following flood alerts and advisories have been issued:
- Ten extreme flood warnings, implying a life-threatening situation
- 26 flood warnings have been issued, meaning that flooding is likely.
- 91 flood alerts, suggesting the possibility of floods.
Annie Shuttleworth, a forecaster for the Met Office, said that extremely high and damaging winds are expected to strike the entire country, causing major disruption.
People will experience substantial traffic delays and power outages, so must avoid travelling if at all possible and stay at home when the winds reach their maximum speeds.
The overtopping of the water is expected, flooding of roads and homes, trees being overturned, tiles falling off buildings, and power lines being toppled over in places covered by the red alert, especially coastal districts.
People should tie down objects in their yards, secure doors and windows, and park cars away from trees and walls, she advised.
