Yahoo News Storm Eunice: Schools told to close amid 100mph wind warning and 'significant danger to life'
The Met Office has warned of "significant danger to life" as the UK prepares to be battered by Storm Eunice with winds of 100mph.
Residents are being urged to stay at home and the Army has been placed on standby as the UK prepares for the arrival of a storm that some experts have warned could be one of the worst in 30 years.
A rare red weather warning – the highest alert, meaning a high impact is very likely – has been issued due to the combination of high tides, strong winds and storm surge.
The Met Office said there is a risk of “flying debris resulting in danger to life” and “damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down”.
In the latest developments:
Bristol City Council advised schools to close in the city with widespread closures expected in south Wales and England's south-west
First minister of Wales Mark Drakeford said all trains in Wales will be cancelled on Friday
Stay-at-home instructions have been issued across swathes of the South West
North Cornwall, North Devon and Sharpness in Gloucestershire are feared to be the worst-hit areas due to the tidal impact from the surge and very high spring tides.
The Environment Agency has warned of the risk of wider flooding across southern England.
The storm has been declared a major incident in Cornwall, Avon and Somerset
In South Wales, bus company Stagecoach said all services would be suspended on Friday morning
London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced shelters are being opened on Thursday evening for people who are sleeping rough
Numerous attraction around the UK - including The London Eye and River Cruise, Legoland in Windsor and Kew gardens will be shut on Friday
Met Office chief forecaster Frank Saunders issued a dire warning to those venturing outside.
He said: "The red warning area indicates a significant danger to life as extremely strong winds provide the potential for damage to structures and flying debris.
"Although the most exposed coastal areas in the south and west could see gusts in excess of 90mph, winds will remain notably strong further inland, with gusts of between 70-80mph for most within the amber warning area.”
An emergency Cobra meeting was called on Thursday to “to discuss the response to Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice”, the Government said, with Cabinet Office Minister Michael Ellis leading.
Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders told the Daily Mail that there were “some gusts possible in excess of 95mph in exposed coastal areas”.
What is a red wind warning?
Flying debris resulting in danger to life
Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
Uprooted trees are likely
Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes, including flooding of some coastal properties
Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell told The Mirror: “With the wind gusts we are forecasting at the moment, we've only seen a handful of storms in the past 30 years that have brought similar gusts. It's got the potential to be up there as quite a notable storm.
“Winds are likely to be 60 to 70mph inland across the south of the UK. It's quite unusual, we don't see gusts that high over such a wide area in the south. The Burns Day Storm brought similar gusts.”
Forty-seven people were killed during violent winds in January 1990 though dozens more died across Europe.
Advice for a red warning includes taking action to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of severe weather, while it is “very likely” that there will be a risk to life and “substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure”.
The Met Office say that, under a red warning, people should avoid travelling where possible.
As Storm Dudley moved in during Wednesday afternoon, Capel Curig in Wales experienced gusts of up to 81mph, with Emley Moor in Yorkshire seeing 74mph winds, while Drumalbin in Scotland was hit by 71mph gales.
Social media users shared images and videos of fallen trees, large waves smashing coastal areas, howling winds and rain sweeping through quiet roads and dark and gloomy skies, with some facing delays on public transport.
A trampoline was pictured on a train track, while others posted pictures of unusual cloud formations.
Electricity North West said power cuts were affecting nearly 1,700 homes in Wigan and thousands more around Lancashire.
Avanti West Coast said due to damage to the overhead electric wires at Carlisle all lines towards Glasgow and Edinburgh are blocked.
ScotRail wound down almost all services from 4pm amid fears of falling trees and blowing debris as wind speeds were expected to reach more than 80mph.
