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Storm Evert: Foul weather delays Camp Bestival as stewards scramble to make site safe

Storm Evert causes major damage to campsite at Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, Wareham, Dorset - Jules Annon/Avalon
Storm Evert causes major damage to campsite at Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, Wareham, Dorset - Jules Annon/Avalon

Storm Evert caused one of the biggest festivals of the British summer to be delayed as stewards had to make the site safe.

Festival-goers poured through the gates at Camp Bestival in Dorset on Thursday morning for the opening day, but the wind and rain threatened to make the second day a washout.

Those in attendance described the campsite as "carnage" with tents blown over by winds of up to 75mph which whipped the south west on Thursday night.

Bestival said in a statement at 7.45am Friday morning: "Due to the stormy conditions there will be a delay to public arenas and gates opening.

"Please follow our social channels for updates. Thanks for your patience.

"We are working hard on making sure the public arenas and gates are safe to reopen."

After a couple of anxious hours, the site was declared safe and customers were welcomed back through the doors.

The 'carnage' at Camp Bestival

Met Office says 'it will get worse before it gets better'

The UK is facing high winds and storms, with the Met Office warning it "will get worse before it gets better".

As newly named Storm Evert gathers pace, winds of up to 75mph are expected to lash the South West, with coastal gales and rain set to affect parts of the country.

The storm will move across parts of the UK, giving a "wet and windy start" to Friday for the southern and central regions, the Met Office said.

Steven Keates, a meteorologist from the Met Office, said: "The wind will get worse before it gets better.

"The highest gust of wind is on the Isles of Scilly, which is 45 knots or 52mph.

"There is the potential for 60mph in coastal areas of west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

"There is the chance of seeing something a little stronger than that from midnight to 3am, where as per the amber warning, there is the chance of seeing gusts of up to 75mph in one or two very exposed coastal spots, mainly in Cornwall."

On social media on Thursday night, people were sharing videos of heavy rain and large waves as the storm began:

A yellow thunderstorm warning remains in place until 10pm on Friday covering much of eastern England, and a yellow wind warning cupped the south-east of England in an alert that covered 6am to 6pm on Friday.

Flooding and stormy weather has led to disruption in some parts of the country.

Cumbria County Council said 14 properties have been evacuated and some roads and footpaths have been closed due to a landslip in Parton, west Cumbria.

The Environment Agency has six flood alerts for areas including parts of south London and an area on the Isle of Wight.

On Thursday the Government announced that more than £860 million is to be invested in flood prevention schemes across the UK over the next year.

Storm clouds near Ludham, Norfolk on Wednesday evening - BAV MEDIA
Storm clouds near Ludham, Norfolk on Wednesday evening - BAV MEDIA

What to expect from Storm Evert

Storm Evert will bring very strong winds to southwest England, perhaps causing damage to infrastructure and leading to travel disruption.

  1. Probably some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs. There may also be some fallen trees and damage to temporary outdoor structures is probable

  2. Longer journey times and cancellations likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected

  3. Some roads and bridges likely to close

  4. There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage

  5. Flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life

  6. Injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties

Your weather forecast

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